Israel's pain deals out true reality
October 6th 2008 18:48
Everybody hurts. Even Israel Folau, who witnessed firsthand his holy ride in the NRL take a severe battering at the hands of Manly in the Grand Final.
The devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints let loose big-time. Not even the devil himself could have cast such a sombre mood on the face of the 19 year old superstar of the game.
There were no angels to be seen for Folau at fulltime. Just the realistic world that is professional sport. Sometimes you win well, sometimes you have your hands covering your face in disbelief.
Unfortunately for Folau, it was all too much to take.
Not only was his team on the back of the worst Grand Final loss in history, it was Folau’s last game of a two year reign at a Melbourne club that has yielded him a premiership ring, Dally M honours and Australian and Queensland jumpers.
But such was Folau’s grief after the deplorable Grand final loss, one could have been forgiven for thinking he was regretting his decision to head to the Broncos next season on a four year contract.
When all those tears were rolling down his face, Folau would have been thinking of revenge.
What must have hurt him the most however was the fact he will not be helping Melbourne gain it next year.
Indeed ‘Izzy’ has accomplished everything the NRL has to offer in the twinkling of an eye. In just over two weeks, he will be preparing to tick off another goal when the League World Cup kicks off against New Zealand at the SFS.
But that will be the furthest thing from his mind as he tries to comprehend what went wrong in a final that was supposed to be one of the most hotly contested decider’s ever.
Folau’s first few minutes against the Sea Eagles were outstanding. A 40 to nil scoreline not evident in the first moments of the match.
Up against none other than Steve Matai, Folau more than held his own against the Kiwi international, tackling the Sea Eagles centre well in defence and causing him havoc in attack.
There was one run in particular that made Folau look so strong and assertive against a physical Manly backline. He beat about three players before falling just short of the line.
He tried hard through the entirety of the match, but not even his growing reputation as a match winner could save Melbourne from going down in history for the wrong reasons.
No doubt Folau will go to the ‘good book’ for answers. He will try his hardest to make sense of a loss as demoralising as the one experienced on Sunday afternoon.
He will then try to explain the result and tears to his parents, who were reluctant to watch, let alone go to ANZ stadium, to see their own son play in the biggest game of his life due to religious reasons.
In times of great disappointment for Folau, he would have prayed to his almighty that his loved ones were there on the sidelines to consolidate this precious Rugby League talent.
But as clean or faithful one can be, the reality of the sporting world can be very grim.
Just ask Israel.
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