Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has revealed that Israel Folau will miss the Spring Tour in a decision agreed to some time ago.
Folau will step away from the game entirely for a short time in order to refresh himself and prepare for the 2018 season.
He has been in excellent form throughout the year and scored his twelfth try of the season in last night’s five-point win over the All Blacks.
He will play in the match against an Allan Jones-coached Barbarians side next weekend but that will be his last outing of the year.
Folau had the option of, if not wishing to play as part of the Spring Tour, instead playing club rugby in Japan over the summer.
However he has decided to take a break from the game entirely until 2018.
“It’s a good time for him to have some time away from the spotlight, just sit down and relax. He doesn’t get a lot of chance to do that.
“He’s been under the microscope every single day since he’s come to rugby.
“And I think it’ll be a chance for him to get out of that for a moment, rest his body, rest his mind, take a well-earned breather and then get back into it from day one of Super Rugby next year.
“A good pre-season under his belt and away we go.
“I respect him a lot as a player and as a person … he’s been really good about managing the whole situation to get the right outcome for himself and for the long run, for the team.”
Cheika also named his squad for the Wallabies’ match against the Barbarians, with Folau the only regular member of the national team to not be rested from the game.
Forwards
Jermaine Ainsley*, Western Force
Allan Alaalatoa, 19 Tests, Brumbies
Rory Arnold, 15 Tests, Brumbies
Jack Dempsey, 6 Tests, NSW Waratahs
Kane Douglas, 31 Tests, Queensland Reds
Folau Fainga’a*, Brumbies
Tetera Faulkner, 3 Tests, Melbourne Rebels
Ned Hanigan, 9 Tests, NSW Waratahs
Ben McCalman, 49 Tests, Western Force
Stephen Moore, 125 Tests, Queensland Reds
Tom Robertson, 15 Tests, NSW Waratahs
James Slipper, 86 Tests, Queensland Reds
Lopeti Timani, 9 Tests, Melbourne Rebels
Lukhan Tui, 3 Tests, Queensland Reds
Jordan Uelese, 2 Tests, Melbourne Rebels
Liam Wright*, Queensland Reds
Backs
Israel Folau, 62 Tests, NSW Waratahs
Kyle Godwin, 1 Test, Brumbies
Jake Gordon*, NSW Waratahs
Karmichael Hunt, 3 Tests, Queensland Reds
Samu Kerevi, 14 Tests, Queensland Reds
Billy Meakes*, Western Force
Duncan Paia’aua*, Queensland Reds
Izaia Perese*, Queensland Reds
Nick Phipps, 58 Tests, NSW Waratahs
Joe Powell, 2 Tests, Brumbies
Curtis Rona, 2 Tests, Western Force
Henry Speight, 17 Tests, Brumbies
Johnny J-Dog
Guest
Kyle Godwin? Geez, Hannigan, Phipps and Robertson have been sharing that Chieka photos around.
Jesse Langley
Guest
Please no Beale to fullback. He cant catch a bomb! I thought beale had a shocking game on the weekend. DHP or hunt for me
PiratesRugby
Guest
Folau is a wonderful player who always looks dangerous with the ball. If he needs a bit of time, i think he should have it. By the way, has Australia been overrun by Faingaas? They're everywhere and they can all play rugby really well.
Mike Julz
Guest
That is my thinking as well
Hugo
Guest
He was pretty critical of you, Fionn, but I understand all is forgiven. With him dropping out it at last gives us a chance to see Beale at 15. Unless Cheika wants to keep him in the midfield and come up with a brand new FB. Anybody of promise around?
ScottD
Guest
Could play Beale or DHP at fullback?
Mike Julz
Guest
..."Folau had the option of, if not wishing to play as part of the Spring Tour, instead playing club rugby in Japan over the summer."... Wait why would he be given an option of playing for a club rugby in Japan over his country?!! He's not really resting if he goes over there and play rugby. But I think the man deserves a break. Similar to Ben Smiths one. With Karmichael Hunt back, they might just try him at the back, if not at 12 with Beale at the back.
Lostintokyo
Guest
Folau may rue the decision. He was on course to break a single season number of tries world record. That could have been his proudest achievement in rugby, probably only beaten by the possibility of winning a World Cup. There is a big chance he won’t have the world record chance again. Pity. “Perhaps” it may enhance the bigger RWC goal? 12 test tries in a season is still an Aussie rugby record. Quite an achievement. Well done Izy.
Dave_S
Roar Rookie
It’s not my field but I haven’t heard of insurance like that. There’s loss of income insurance but it’s predicated on a likelihood the income would continue but for the injury - not applicable for a 40 yo ex rugby player.
Rhys Bosley
Guest
Yup
Fionn
Guest
He's a good, experienced player too now. Very mature and a good bloke. If he can stay injury free then he is the sort of guy we absolutely need in terms of squad depth.
Rhys Bosley
Guest
Good to see in my opinion, he is a hard, tall loosie and we are short of those. 29 is far from old for a forward like that, hopefully he will still be around come RWC 2019.
Rhys Bosley
Guest
Medical care wasn't as good then either. Personally I think the whole "they have to earn while they can" argument is confected rubbish. Anybody doing some that could stop them working early should have insurance, and I am sure these players do. It is just PR justification for the top player's exorbident salaries. But I agree, good on Folau or ditching the Japanese gig, presumably to spend time with his fiancé in NZ. Putting family first is the mark of a good man.
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
Wrong Spiro .... ah,sorry, Peter
advrider-oz
Guest
QC you blind?
waxhead
Guest
@ James - Actually I predicted an ABs win by 30 and happy to say I was totally wrong - not the 1st time either :) Wallabies may possibly be improving but need to see more evidence in November :)
Dave_S
Guest
:)
Dave_S
Guest
I don’t know what he is paid (no doubt a significant amount) but the number of games played is not the only measure - a lot of hours go into preparing for every game. Anyone in the squad will be doing a lot of work even if they don’t make the match day 23.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Guest
I hope that you are wrong Re Cooper Thugby. He should be on tour to rest the courageous and assumedly bruised Sgt Bernard.
Dave_S
Guest
Rhys do you mean the health risks? True, but players in the amateur era typically were subjected to less wear and tear, and also had far less appreciation of concussion etc.