BREAKING: The Roar has confirmed that Israel Folau will sign with the NSW Waratahs. A press conference will be held within the next 24-36 hours to announce the Waratahs deal.
Folau will front the media in a Waratahs jersey where it will be announced that he will be playing in the 2013 Super Rugby season.
It is unclear exactly what salary agreements have been reached between the parties, but it is understood to be considerably less than the $1.5m on offer per year from the AFL, and the deal will be without ‘top-up’ assistance from the ARU.
Waratahs staff are expected to be asked how Folau can fit underneath the salary cap in place for the Super Rugby competition. The cap has recently been increased to $4.5 million for the 2013 season, after a deal between the ARU and Rugby Union Players Association.
Folau has added kicking to his skill set after his stint in the AFL with the GWS Giants, and has played rugby in his youth.
He is expected to add firepower to the Waratahs backline once he has adjusted to his third professional code in Australia. His performances will be keenly watched by supporter base coming off a worst ever season in 2012.
Folau will have a slightly shortened pre-season under new Waratahs coach Michael Cheika, and will need to bulk up from his AFL-style endurance physique.
The confirmation of Israel Folau signing to the NSW Waratahs is a major coup for rugby in Australia and will leave many at NRL headquarters pondering what could have been – in particular, what went wrong with the Parramatta Eels deal.
Is this the right signing for the NSW Waratahs?
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
I think you need to understand the meaning of the word international.It does not have to encompass a multitude of countries. It refers to a game or contest between teams representing(emphasis on representing) different countries. Now please spell out to all and sundry right here,exactly why the RLWC doesn't fulfill that criterea.Because Nelson if you say that is not the case,please contact the Oxford dictionary people,and advise them of your new interpretation. You see if England,NZ and Australia play a tri series,it is an international,even if only 3 countries play the game,which is not the case. RU is far bigger(130 countries) than rl(25 countries) in the International aspect,no denyng the fact.But to suggest rl is not international, albeit on a far smaller scale is hilarious. If the Commonwealth Games committee deem the code worthy of stage 3 entry(first step on the ladder)then your perception is exposed for what it is worth.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
An Eels supporter???Choked on my muesli. Not a very devoted one it appears.As soon as you mentioned the description inferior code(rl),got the gist of your post.And smiled knowingly.And I follow the Swans or the Brumbies . Just remember Me too,the NRL are hardly short of money for the next 5 years,and the AFL are sniping away at the bastions of ru, the GPS and Associated schools. eg Waverly,Cranbrook. Be careful what you wish for.Remember JON's famous words in 2002,that ru would surpass rl after the RWC2003,in NSW and Qld,and be no 2 elsewhere.When he resurfaced to rejoin as CEO of the code,stated you can't kill rl with an axe ,they are so resilient.And that was when they had far less money than is available now. "Will never amount to anything at world level".Predicting 50 years in advance.LOL.Global warming anyone. It will be in the Commonwealth Games well before that,already been given stage 3 approval,first step on the ladder. Keep on predicting rl's demise.it spurs on development for people involved in that very area.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Rugby Lite. You start with Rugby. Then you take away mauls, lineouts, rucks (real ones), scrums (real ones), competition for the ball, 2 players and laws. So you have a vastly reduced game called Rugby League , when it is obviously a lite version of the real thing and thus should be called Rugby Lite.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
What's rugby lite Peter K a new beer? Or private school humour?
Handles
Guest
Folau had none of the skills or athleticism. What are you smoking? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1XVg3L2uAk
Malo
Guest
Must like the status quo of the tahs losing. Not much of a tah supporter.
Jagman
Guest
As far as I understand the imports are all agreed upon by the ARU on a subjective basis rather than protocols. They can block a certain player just because they think not enough Australians will get a go at that particular position.
Tom
Guest
I've read elsewhere he will be on about $250K a year. That isn't big money by any stretch, and probably less than what he would have got at Parra, potential ARU contract notwithstanding. Besides, he will probably bring in enough extra spectators to cover the amount. If he goes after a year, the tahs are out 250k...not disastrous. If he stays, he has the potential to be an excellent rugby player - he has played it before, and has some idea of what he is getting himself into. I would also add that there has never been even the slightest whiff of off field indiscretions around him. I don't have a huge amount of time for the loyalty argument, clubs don't hesitate to cut players who they deem surplus to requirements. Players likewise shouldn't hesitate to act in their own interests to set themselves up financially. Players themselves have a limited career and will most likely suffer the physical impact of playing such a hard sport for the rest of their lives - be it union, league or AFL, and are likely to have forgone further education or career progression to play.
Al
Guest
or Benn Robinson? our best scrummager and an effective ball winner in the breakdown?
jameswm
Guest
No A set portion has to be spent on player salaries. You can't rob Peter to pay Paul. You can't take player salary money and spend it on development. In any case - would Folau have more kids playing rugby than 5 development officers?
jameswm
Guest
Beale on the bench? No Palu in the 23? Are you kidding?
ozusa
Guest
Check mark
ozusa
Guest
Didnt Kingston come on great by end of season. ?
ozusa
Guest
yep all upside.
hotdog
Guest
Seriously John, how many tongans do you know have a problem bulking up? He'll be 105kg again by Christmas ! Izzy will be a star in rugby, just as he was in league. The NRL will absolutely desperate to get him back in 2014 if they can, just watch ... it'll be SBW all over again, on their knees begging him to return.
Albo
Guest
He was great under the high ball in league well before AFL. Go to any Folau highlight reel on youtube and it's all crossfield kicks to his wing. He is very athletic in the air.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
China ,India featured as yet,they make up 1/3 of the worlds population. Oh wait!One could go on. Let us all settle down and enjoy the world cups for what they are ,each to his.own. If you belittle the RLWC as Greg did initially,expect a return serve. His cynicism is hardly new ,I have been reading and hearing it for years ,having spent my ill gotten youth playing ru at school..Supposedly humorous ,yet as funny as a train crash.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
So being in a semi finalist mean a winning final,genuine contenders .Noice LOL.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Was going to merntion Thorn,but he is too nice a guy.I respect his decision making,he goes by his word. Gower was actually part of the criterea Oz and italy in two codes.
jeznez
Roar Guru
JBJ, it is Young and McKenzie playing them on the wrong side of the scrum. Let Slipper play at 1 and Alexander play at 3 and we'll be ok. Take that French game, the scrum was under the most pressure when Slipper was at tighthead - at the end of the match he moved to loose and Ryan went to tight and we took the best and cleanest tighthead of the match. Ryan and Palmer to develop during the year and pressure Alexander for the 3 jumper, Slipper and Holmes to pressure Robinson for the 1. Unfortunately too many of these guys play the same position in the same Super side so we'll go backwards as Slipper and Alexander get forced to spend the majority of the Super Season out of position again.