Israel Folau broke Lote Tuqiri's all-time NSW try-scoring record as the Waratahs sparked life into their stagnant season with a dominant 36-point win against the Western Force in Perth.
After equalling Tuqiri's mark of 29 tries last week against the ACT Brumbies, Folau usurped that number thanks to a neat pass from fullback Andrew Kellaway near the Force's line in the second half.
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Folau breaks Waratah's try record
Israel Folau became the leading try scorer in Waratah's history against the Western Force, breaking Lote Tuqiri's record with his 30th Super Rugby try.
A week after the Israel Folau outside centre experiment was lauded a success by commentators and Daryl Gibson himself, the Force did well to negate Folau's impact in the backline and made sure that even when he did get the ball they wrapped him up as soon as possible.
But even that wasn't enough to stop Folau getting on the scoresheet along with wingers Rob Horne and Reece Robinson as well as Nick Phipps, Angus Ta'avao and Jed Holloway in the Waratahs' six tries to one demolition of a hapless Force outfit in what was their biggest ever win over their western rivals.
![Record-breaker: Israel Folau looks to pass.](/web/20160913234648im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/o/d/n/r/t/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.godlrz.png/1461471586128.jpg)
"A lot of weeks in the making that," said Waratahs captain Michael Hooper. "A full performance we got there tonight. We needed a reward after a lot of tough weeks and that's a just reward after the effort we put in tonight."
The Waratahs have been in desperate need for a trip west to escape the criticism that has followed them for weeks, with players claiming time away on the road would be better for them in the long run.
On Saturday's form alone, that is proving to be spot on.
A resounding victory against the Force has put their tails up before a tough battle that looms against the Stormers in Cape Town, but their African assignment will be made all the more easier after reminding themselves they do possess the skills of previous years if they put their mind to the task.
![Troubling the Force defence all night: Jed Holloway.](/web/20160913234648im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/o/d/n/k/p/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.godlrz.png/1461413601837.jpg)
It wasn't all smooth sailing though - it took 40 seconds for the Waratahs' ill-discipline to kick in as Will Skelton was penalised for an infringement at the ruck to give the Force first points of the evening.
But an offside meant Bernard Foley slotted his first shot of the night to draw the Waratahs level and they never looked back with a free-flowing second half of running rugby.
There weren't as many scrum troubles for NSW – they managed to get the Force's front row to collapse early on which showed they can match it with other packs in the competition.
Five-eighth Bernard Foley had a clear plan to kick to a flying Robinson on the right edge, but also experimented with a number of short kicks either to himself or a man running on the inside. It was his best game with the boot this year.
Horne picked up the first five-pointer of the evening thanks to a well-timed pass from Kurtley Beale on his knees.
There was some conjecture as to whether the pass was slightly forward, but there was more than enough reason to give the green light and with it a Waratahs 10-3 lead.
A barnstorming run from 100th gamer Dave Dennis gave the Waratahs favourable field position and minutes later halfback Nick Phipps burrowed his way to the line to put NSW up 17-6 at the on the stroke of the main break.
Jack Dempsey came from the field in the 47th minute with what appeared to be a shoulder complaint, while prop Tom Robertson shook off a niggle in the first half to once again put in another solid performance at tighthead. Horne was also seen leaving the field after returning from the broken hand he sustained against the Reds in round five.
21-year-old Force hooker Harry Scoble scored the home side's first try of the evening with a rolling maul after coming off the bench in his debut, but that was about as good as it got for Michael Foley's men who will do well to not finish last of Australian teams this year.
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