Code-hopping star Israel Folau is set to play for the Wallabies at the 2015 Rugby World Cup after signing a new two-year contract.
Folau, 24, gave new Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie’s program a big vote of confidence as he announced he would be staying with the Australian Rugby Union and the NSW Waratahs.
“I’ve had a great experience with the Wallabies,” Folau said.
“We’ve got a young squad and a great coach and we’re building our game. We’re only going to get better.
“The Rugby World Cup is definitely a drawcard.
“To be a be part of that would be an awesome experience.”
The decision sets Folau up to exceed his achievements in rugby league, where he earned eight caps for Australia, including playing in the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.
“I had to weigh up a few things,” he told a press gathering in Sydney.
“At the end of the day I was enjoying my rugby and I’m happy there. There are a lot of things I still have to tick off in rugby.”
“The Rugby World Cup is definitely a draw card. To be a part of that would be an awesome experience, but that’s still a long time away and we’ve got a lot to achieve in the meantime.”
A fullback for the NSW Waratahs and winger for the Wallabies, Folau is enjoying an outstanding debut season in rugby union.
He was named Australian Super Rugby rookie of the year.
He has also impressed despite limited opportunities with the ball for the Wallabies, scoring three tries from his first five Tests.
Wallabies coach McKenzie said Folau had made a superb transition to rugby union.
“Every week we’re finding more and more ways to use his unique skills,” McKenzie said in a statement.
“There’s unlimited potential, he’s got a lot of really good attributes. He’s enigmatic, he just does things a bit differently and it allows us to use him in different ways.”
“There wasn’t so much a question mark about whether he would be able to make the transition, it was more about how long it would take and he’s certainly done it faster than most.”
Waratahs coach Michael Cheika lauded Folau’s first Super Rugby season, saying his signing-on would propel the NSW franchise forward next year.
“Israel Folau has had an incredible first season of rugby and to have him re-sign for a further two years with so many people in the market for his signature makes us extremely pleased,” Cheika said in a Waratahs statement.
“Israel is a quality player and a quality person and having this type of man playing in our team is only going to help us achieve our goals over the next two seasons.”
winston
Roar Rookie
Great for rugby. He'll be awesome by 2015. Watching him and Savea go at it over the next couple of years is going to be very interesting.
Jiggles
Roar Guru
The Brumbies "Real Madrid of rugby" reference is clearly being lost here.....
Fin
Guest
Yep. Most sensible post all day.
eagleJack
Guest
Yeah bit of an ill thought out comparison by Jiggles there.
DilzfromHtown
Guest
Won't be happening if SBW comes back to the chiefs. He's a far better player than folau
Jagman
Guest
Threepeat sounds epic Jez. But then how early do we celebrate 2017? Something to say about Holloway is that he's got plenty of toe. Maybe they should make him a centre.
Markus
Guest
To be fair he could have just meant 'there' to mean the Waratahs, with 'here' for Izzy currently being the Wallabies camp. That's how I read that, at least. Agree with your interpretation of him having a lot of things left to tick of in rugby, though. It really does sound like accomplishing X number of personal goals for himself within the code, before he moves on to his next challenge. Which I can't hold against him I suppose, as good as it would be to keep him in the game long term.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Don't get serious Jag, I'm predicting a Three-peat through to the 2016 title! Completely agree though how we shape up in the piggies is going to be the key. Chieka seems to be investing a lot of time in Holloway - I think he looks a bit green physically but he was certainly been preferred to Lopeti Timani and will be interesting to see if he remains in the loose or winds up in lock where he was initially picked for.
X.L.S Chiefs Fan
Guest
If u work it out he probably gets pays about $20,000 per time he touches the Ball so far . Gees I wish I had his life . He is a humble young kid though , who in the next 2 years will be a absolute superstar
X.L.S Chiefs Fan
Guest
Agree 100%
Jiggles
Roar Guru
Except the get bashed at the breakdown by all the top teams.
Jagman
Guest
Actually makes sense to come out with it now cause it's a slow news week with no Wallaby games on. Even the SS finals will be one sided affairs this week.
Jagman
Guest
More seriously though I'm not going to be confident about the Tahs until I see how their forwards turn out. There's a few concerns. Hooper needs to be made captain so that DD is drop-able. then Pottgieter needs to be made blindside flanker. The only problem with that is we have no decent lineout calling loosehead lock unless we keep Chapman who has not been overly impressive anyway. Douglas, Skelton, Pottgieter, Hooper and Palu would be a very nice looking back 5 but no lineout caller so in the end even if Hooper becomes captain DD might still be undrop-able. The other issue is the front row. Under the new laws will we finally get some pay from dominant scrummaging? or will we be better as we would have in the past with props like Slipper and Cowen? (more renowned for their efforts around the park, not a jibe at their scrum ability) I've got the feeling the scrum will actually be a big thing next year so let's see. At hooker the obvious problem is depth. TPN admitted yesterday that his hamstring problem is chronic so we'll have even more trouble than usual fielding him week in week out and we lost Fitzpatrick and Ulugia to overseas. I'd be happy if we pick up Hugh Roach and Tolu Latu even though they're young they look like future Wallabies to me. Latu is likely but Roach is probably going to the Force.
Sledgeross
Roar Rookie
Lets face it, Folau has a history of playing codes against each other for maximum financial benefit. I wonder if the Dogs got tired of his games. I mean Izzy was supposed to resign for the Tahs 6 weeks ago!
jutsie
Guest
thats a tasty bacline jez. i think yours as justin's suggestion of beale on a wing has a lot to like about it. Lets just hope cheiks gets phipps delivery upto scratch cos we dont want his hospital passes resulting in foley copping hits like he did against ranger 2-3 times a match.
JDP
Roar Guru
For me - Folau will push AAC out of the 13 jersey (eventually). Big call, but AAC is not getting any younger. I think shifting Izzy in one player will involve him defensively and offensively much more. At the Wallabies level, I would love to see players being groomed for the following backline. 9 Genia 10 Toomua 11 Tomane 12 JOC 13 Folau 14 Speight 15 Beale
Vicky
Guest
Tell that to Bryan Habana, who works like an extra flank.
Vicky
Guest
Laziest wing in world rugby. He never looks for work.
Working Class Rugger
Roar Guru
Whatever helps you sleep at night.
dc-nz
Guest
Great news for Aussie rugby. Now just need Ewen to stop whinging and face his own issues head on.