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who hoisted the Webb Ellis Cup with the All Blacks in 2011, presently share the mantle.
But after watching Folau equal Lote Tuqiri’s all-time record for most Wallabies tries in a calendar year during a spectacular 15-Test debut season, Sailor thinks the 24-year-old will have Robinson and SBW covered by the end of his career.
Tuqiri, Sailor and fellow rugby league convert Mat Rogers played a total of 149 Tests and amassed 57 tries, but Sailor says Folau has already eclipsed all three as Australia’s premier dual international.
“I think Israel, he’s mixed a bit of everything,” Sailor told AAP.
“He’s taken what Lote’s done, what I’ve done, Mat Rogers and Israel even though he’s a by-product of that, I just think Israel’s taken it to a new level now.
“Jason Robinson, Sonny Bill has been good, but I think he can nearly be better than all of those guys.
“He’s only 24 or 25 or something. He can probably go to a whole new level.”
Folau remains the youngest player, at 18, to represent Australia in a rugby league Test and scored on debut for both the Kangaroos and the Wallabies, collecting a memorable double against the touring British and Irish Lions in Melbourne this year.
Sailor attributes the code-hopper’s tough two-year stint in the AFL with Greater Western Sydney for his rapid rise in rugby.
