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The Aussie forward who is Super Rugby's leading try-scorer has a legend's record in his sights
By Online Editors
Brumbies hooker Folau Fainga'a has Wallabies legend Joe Roff in his sights after becoming this Super Rugby season's leading try-scorer.
Fainga'a scored a hat-trick - all from rolling mauls - in the Brumbies 26-21 win against the Blues on Saturday and now has 10 tries this season.
The 23-year-old has five games to better Roff's Australian record of 15 tries in a season, while Hurricanes winger Ben Lam has the Super Rugby record (16).
Faingaa was quick to shift the credit to the rest of his pack and joked he was more worried about copping it from teammates than breaking records.
"If I don’t score those tries the boys are into me during the week," Fainga'a said.
"It’s pleasing (to score) but all the boys up the front do all the hard work and make it easy for me.
"It’s just part of my job, we don't do the fancy stuff out wide the backs do, you’ve got to love doing the (tough) stuff and you don’t get bored of it.
"Guys like (Roff) are really respected players and if I break it, I break it."
Brumbies coach Dan McKellar couldn't wipe the smile off his face when told Fainga'a is now on top of the competition's try-scorers list.
"It’s brilliant, the wingers would be filthy," McKellar said.
"It’s good to see, and Folau would be the first to thank the others up front. But he’s got an important role and a lot of responsibility on the back of the maul, you need to make a lot of decisions that people probably wouldn't be aware of and he does it well.
"It’s not a fluke, we practice it a lot and the detail around it and we’re good at it. You’ve got to love doing it because if you’ve got one link in the chain it won’t work. And the boys enjoy doing it."
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Latest Comments
The New Zealand performance in the return fixture in 2016 was filthy. A lot of Irish supporters were pretty shocked by it, viewed it as de facto cheating just to avoid another defeat.
Also shocked by the abuse to Ireland, captain, vice-captain and spectators after the full time whistle in Paris defeat, last match.
Sledging is sledging, but that happens during the game and targetting spectators should be completely out of bounds.
The Irish public used to enjoy these matches, even in defeat. Now they are necessary but unpleasant, because NZ apparently cannot accept or respect successful challengers.
Go to commentsThanks for the analysis Nick, thought provoking as usual. Couple of queries though, in the pic where you've circled Williams bind , I'm pretty sure it shows Stuart's knee on the ground, surely that's a NZ penalty? Also having had the chance to watch it again the All Black scrum seeems to improve after halftime, but before either England or the All Blacks replace their props. Not sure if that was the result of Tuipolutu coming on or some halftime tips. Either way this is only Williams second international season, so he'll be better for the experience.
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