3/07/2008 5:16:27 PM
Queensland winger Israel Folau has revealed the secret behind his two-try success in the State of Origin decider against New South Wales on Wednesday night.
Folau turned in an eye-catching performance in the Maroons' 16-10 victory over the Blues and is slowly starting to forge a name for himself as one of the most damaging wingers in the game.
His first four-pointer was pretty straightforward, as Melbourne Storm team-mate Anthony Quinn spilt a simple high ball, with Folau in the right place at the right time to score the opening try of the night.
But Folau's second try was one of sheer brilliance, with the dazzling winger soaring high above Quinn to plant the ball down in a horizontal position.
And the softly spoken 19-year-old said much of his ability to out-jump opponents while in a try-scoring position comes down to watching AFL games during his days off.
"I watch a little bit of AFL and how they use their jumping style and I try to bring it in to my game," Folau said.
"It has really helped me, it has given me a little bit of an edge for my game and it helped me there last night."
Folau said his second try was the best he had ever scored when jumping for a high ball, but has his doubts on whether he will be able to do it ever again.
"At the start when I first jumped up, I thought I had mistimed my jump," Folau said.
"I got up there and it seemed like time stopped for a little while."
"I grabbed the ball and I was in a bad position to put the ball down so I had to reach behind me and put it behind my head. I was pretty lucky."
"It just came out of nowhere and I don't think I could do that again."