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The simple answer is no. When Israel Folau left the Brisbane Broncos to start his successful rugby career he was at the peak of his powers.
You’d have to say he was one of the best backs in the competition.
In fact, during his inaugural year with the Melbourne Storm he broke the record for the most tries scored in a debut year. The 102kg back went on to represent Queensland and Australia.
He then left the game that set him up for life to join the Greater Western Sydney Giants in 2011, but this AFL experiment didn’t last long and a desperate Australian rugby competition welcomed him with open arms.
Now that he’s in a bit of trouble with controversial comments, he’s on the nose at rugby headquarters and may be looking for a return to the game of league where it all started.
But does rugby league need the 29 year-old? He may still have something to offer, but league is surely happy to move on. During his peak, Folau was a game breaker, but now I’d argue every league club has a player more talented than him.
Players like 22 year-old Euan Aitkin from the Dragons and 21 year-old Latrell Mitchell from the Sydney Roosters are the new crop of stars that would dominate Folau. Just look at how Aiktin brushed aside the once great Greg Inglis for the St George Illawarra Dragons on Friday night.
Other impressive backs include Nene McDonald from the Dragons, the excitement machine Jimmy the Jet from the Broncos and James Tedesco from the Roosters. Then there’s Cronulla’s Valentine Holmes, plus Clint Gutherson and Bevan French at the Parramatta Eels. Not to mention superstar in the making Kalyn Ponga from the Knights and Alex Johnson from the Rabbits.
Given the bucket loads of talent on offer, if Izzy comes knocking, should anyone bother to answer the door?
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