When Izzy going to sign ?

Gary RS For someone who doesn't care you start with a bitter and twisted first paragraph. And you know this to be true of course

Anyone who thinks that Folau is playing for the love of the game is really a bit feeble in their thinking. The bloke is hanging out for money and that's the nub of it. If he stays with the Tahs it will be great he is a good player, however if he goes t the Bulldogs well and good. I for one don't really care that much as someone will come along and replace him. We would be infantile to a degree to think that he is or will be the end all for the Tahs game. I have been playing, coaching and following rugby for 40+ years and have seen numerous great players come and go. There is always a Media beat up when any of these players contracts are up for grabs,will he go or will he stay?? But you know what, in the end it makes not one whit of difference, because if Folau doesn't play rugby next season, about 3 games into the season we will be saying Folau who????? Thats a fact of life. Yes the bloke did put bums on seats for the Tahs last season and yes he did play well for the Wallabies, but at present he is no David campese or Roger Gould etc. He has shown some promise and if he stays he might become a great player. But he still has a way to go IMO. So enough with the man love and the media beat up, I for one am ignoring the whole process and couldn't really care one way or the other. One point, I do think there should be a time limit set, as this type of thing does cause some irritation within the playing ranks and the search for players to fill the roster of the Tahs.

I think it is a lay down mezzaire that Folau will resign with the Tahs and the ARU. IMO money is not the river for Folau. He wants enjoyment. There is no doubt that he enjoyed his rugby with the Tahs. Maybe with the change of Wallaby coach he is waiting to see if he will enjoy rugby with the Wallabies? But seriously I think that is BS too. I think he is simply taking his time but has already made up his mind .... and he is not going back the NRL.

Said before there is no upside for Team Folau in signing now and committing , either way. This won't be resolved until December (Quade the precedent) i reckon. Much as I hate it, thats the way it is and will remain that way until Australian rugby builds more depth and a winning culture. I don't envy Pulver and Cheika but for the record hate the lack of respect for Australian rugby shown by Team Folau.

This is aother argument in which people with an agro bent like to attack the player, in this case a top drawcard! To the critics of Issy, 'Pull your heads in! Attack the ARU for being weak if you want but since you don't know what's going on you probably won't bother even writing a letter Say what you want but Issys manager has a job to do. He has a saleable commodity and his job is to drive the best deal for his client Issy doesn't want to do the dealing and neither would I if I were in his shoes. That's what he pays his manager for. This is pro sport. I wish it hadn't happened. The amateur version was better IMO! They bet on it now, so criminals will try to bribe referees. I wish that hadn't happened too. But leave Issy out of it.

Yep good on you Titan, hope you enjoy it and keep watching, Your not alone regarding the scrum penalties, only those that play in the front row can genuinely understand the nuances of what goes on. Our scrum guru on the Roar Jeznez is the best man to explain it. Not sure if you watched the Super 15 Final, it was a cracking game. Flying, the signed, sealed to Dogs has been doing the rounds for some time, no doubt that is a very real possibility. Let's just get a decision either way on move on I say !

A lot of you guys are being much too hard on a guy who's signing one of maybe ten deals he's ever going to sign. Let him use his leverage while he's got it. He'll be discarded once used up.

Cheers moaman. I do like rugby when the game opens up but cannot understand the penalties in the scrum. I think that afl fans have probably watched rugby as well because of izzy. Union is a good alternative option to the other codes because afl and league generally won't watch the other including me.

Titans--It's great to hear you are expanding your horizons to take in a little bit of Union.Good on you mate.Hope you enjoy the Bledisloe and watch a chunk of the whole RC too.

I am a league fan and the only reason I watched the wallabies was to see how izzy would go. I think he creates a lot more interest in the game and he is worth the hassle. I have found myself looking at union since then and am going to see how bledisloe cup game is as well. Him and other league players definitely bring new fans to the game such as me. I wouldn't be worried about his contract it looks like he's enjoying rugby. If your playmakers learn to kick to the wing for him like in league then I think that he would score a lot of tries and spread the defensive line way open to create more gaps across the defensive line when inside the opposution 20m.

izzy won't sign, hes going to the Bulldogs ( inside info )

Yes but declaring he is returning to League may impact on his selection for the Wallabies.

If the waratahs or the ARU don't want to wait, or if they are concerned about not having a full back they can easily say thank you but we must move on, the offer is off the table. Simple. It is up to both parties to agree. Maybe your articles should be about the Tahs not finding another full back to fill their roster if thats your major concern? I am sure Izzy could easily find another suiter and rugby would be the loser. Why would I as a rugby fan care about how long his contract takes or the benevolence of the NZRU or the SARFU? is the ARU in a competition to be the fastest contractor, or is it about the ARU saving face? Taking time to complete a contract does not not equate with being bigger than the game. that is nonsensical

I have heard that conflict between individual sponsors and ARU sponsors is the issue. The sort of money in the balance is very large. Since it involves 3rd parties ie the various sponsors that is why it is taking so long not the ARU or Izzy delaying.

Lordy, if Izzy does re sign lets hope for the love god it's a minimum 2 year deal. Another will he, won't he charade in a year doesn't do anyone any favours. Pulver is indeed the lap dog in these negotiations while Titan Management hold the whip hand.

colvin, I respect greatly your passion. However if the ARU starts bending to 'so called superstars' then sure that is the beginning of the end. I have to agree with zero on this. What messages are being sent to prospective other players (and their managers) who want to play 'our great game'. I am as passionate as you colvin in terms of rugby. I pointed out in an early post, that I was not referring to any one player in particular, rather, questioning the process. Can you begin to imagine what would happen if we condoned such concessions in all and any contracts? If rugby in Australia needs to tart itself to attract the players to take the game forward, then I would be very afraid of the future. If this is the case in Australia, why do we need a board? why not just let anarchy rule and dispense with a weak controlling body. Let player power alone dictate the terms... I for one an not convinced that this would be the best going forward.

100% agree with you David. Does not matter who they are, they are not bigger than the game.

JGT you are so right and it's a sad situation. But in my experience in negotiating contracts one party always has the upper hand and always takes advantage of that.

Zero, I've been reading on Roar for a few years now how WB supporters demand victory. How they expect the WBs to challenge the ABs for No.1 world ranking and how the WB supporters would never accept that 3rd in the last RWC was an acceptable performance at all. And the Australian ,game must be played in a crowd pleasing way with flair and panache. Doing all that will bring the crowds and the necessary money to grow the game. To raise the game in Australia to the top level world wide you are going to have to develop superstars. Folau is potentially one of these. Yes, the conduct around contracts is not acceptable. But he holds the upper hand unless you're ready to lose him. Look what happened with Folau and the ARL. The ARL auditor couldn't get around the salary limit in place and Folau was lost. And ARL have mourned that ever since. NZR tip toe around Sonny-Bill because they want him back knowing he will be a big draw, even within the ABs. I personally don't like it but it's the way of the world. If you're prepared to lose Folau hardball him, but I wouldn't recommend it just now.

Obviously we are in the minority JTG, a sad indictment, but hang in there.