Three-code football star Israel Folau has opened up on the confrontation he had with his father when he made his decision to leave his high-paying AFL contract and return to rugby league.
The talented back, who ended up in rugby union after leaving Greater Western Sydney, will play his 59th Test for the Wallabies on Saturday against Argentina in Canberra.
But the journey to get back to the football he wanted to play was a tough one for the 28-year-old because of the responsibilities he felt being part of a tight-knit Polynesian family.
“There are three pillars to Polynesian life: family, faith and finances. They’re all connected,” Folau said, writing for the new sports platform, playersvoice.com.au.
Folau has spoken several years ago of how he switched codes for both family and financial reasons.
But on Saturday he revealed more about the tough conversations he had with his dad, Eni Folau, as he became increasingly frustrated about his shift from the NRL to the AFL.
“After two years at the Giants, I wasn’t happy. The money didn’t mean anything to me anymore,” Folau said.
“I missed league and was sick and tired of doing everything for other people. So I told my Dad I’d had enough.
“Yes, I was worried that the Polynesian community would think I had rebelled, but I just really wanted out of the AFL. Not at the end of my contract. Immediately.
“It was difficult and scary and contrary to everything I had done in my life to that point,” Folau said.
“I won’t go into the full detail of the arguments that followed – that’s between Dad and me – but let’s just say the conversation went back and forward for quite a while.
“So I summoned up all the bravery I could, looked him in the eye and told him again: ‘I’m leaving the Giants’. And he finally said, ‘OK’.
“It was the first time in my life I felt free.”
piru
Roar Rookie
nek minnit
marto
Guest
Laziest WALLABY fullback of all time...I can`t stand the imposter..
Rhys Bosley
Guest
That is all based on the presumption that those players are essential to the game in this country and that some of them wouldn't choose to represent Australia anyway if they were paid less money. We probably disagree on both counts so I don't propose to debate it with you.
Akari
Roar Rookie
Totally with you on this one, Rugnut.
Train Without A Station
Guest
We don't choose to pay a lot of money. The market sets the price and we do our best to keep up. For many of those players the market is NRL as well as Pro14, Aviva Premiership, Top 14 and Top League. Even in ProD2 players are making as much as our top players.
republican
Guest
I watched Izzy play a number of times at Manuka for GWS and it was evident from the outset, that he would never cut it in respect of the Australian code. He was ONLY there for his marketing pull, which didn't work anyway, while he was as expedient of the game as the AFL was of him..........
Fair Weather
Guest
As an AFL fan I was embarrassed about his signing and him being gifted matches when he was well below the required standards. I am angry the administrators who allowed this to occur are still in jobs. It achieved nothing bar keeping a talented player from getting a game. If I was a Giants player, I would have asked for a transfer.
Rugnut
Guest
This week IF showed his character by stating his belief in the SSM issue. Regardless of your opinion on the actual subject, IF showed great courage. I'm sure there are others in the sporting world who share the same belief but are willing to be spoken for by the team. Well done Israel. I might sometimes question your value to Rugby, but you have proved your real value as a human being. That's not to say I agree with you
Mad Dog
Guest
They appear to be pretty spot on...
Billy Connolly
Guest
Rubbish. They were stating the obvious. By the way 57-0 later. It's called a champion team not arrogance.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
Israel has been one of our better signings from the ARL . Andrew Walker and Matt Rogers were also we didn't need any of the wingers and we don't need them now . Just watching the ABs I hope they never master Brave Aussie running rugby . The difference is that Ckekko talks about it and can't produce it they don't talk about it and are awesome . The poor old Bokkies I gave them a chance with their forwards who are far superior to Chekko's chosen few ; it's called Tut Tah's law you have to be mediocre and from the Tut Tahs to get a run it's also called grooming .
Rhys Bosley
Guest
This article doesn't change my view that we overpay the top players in Australian Rugby to the detriment of other parts of the game, but it is an important reminder of the pressures on Polynesian players like Folau to maximise their financial contribution to their communities. Good on him for sticking up for himself and moving back to the type of game that he wants to play. There is nothing worse than hitting 40 and realising that you have lived the best years of your life according to somebody else's rulebook.
I would like to see the Springboks prove them wrong, but we all know that's not going to happen
Kuruki
Roar Guru
Just watching the buildup of the Bok vs All Blacks. Listening to JK, Jeff Wilson and Justin Marshall they talk like the All Blacks are invincible, the arrogance is disgusting.
Mel R
Guest
Folau is a pillar and a great example to every junior PI player who aspires to become a Wallaby player one day.Good on ya Folau.