Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Video: 'So many options' Folau stirs up move rumours

Israel Folau hasn’t put rumours of a move to the Queensland Reds to bed after speaking with the media on Tuesday ahead of the Waratahs Super Rugby quarter-final against the Highlanders this weekend.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Wallabies full-back said he had “so many options”, which may set off alarm bells at the Waratahs.

The outside back is off-contract at the end of the year with Rugby Australia and has indicated he has had lucrative overseas offers during the media firestorm surrounding his social media comments. The former NRL player represented Queensland five times in State of Origin and played for the Brisbane Broncos before making a code-switch to the AFL. A move to the Reds would bring Folau back to Brisbane.

“I know there’s rumours going round, but not from my end in the sense that my management are taking control of that”, Folau said.

“So it’s a bit of white noise in the background, but nothing to worry about from my end.”

Folau joined the Waratahs in 2013 and won a Super Rugby title with the club in 2014.

“There’s no timeline. I’m just going to take my time and see what best for me.”

“There’s so many options I guess from my point of view, that I’ll have a look at once the season comes to an end. But at this stage I’m just thinking about the game on the weekend.”

Continue reading below…
In other news: Amanaki Mafi appears in court after incident with teammate.

Video Spacer

ADVERTISEMENT

Folau, who has scored nine Super Rugby tries this season added there were a lot of factors to consider.

“My family and where I’m at at this time of my career, I’m not even thinking about it at the moment,” the 29-year-old said.

Rugby Australia are keen to retain one of their best players, who remains a big part of Michael Chieka’s 2019 Rugby World Cup plans but have had no further talks on his contract since Folau’s controversial social media comments.

In May Folau’s wife tweeted dissatisfaction over Folau’s switch to the wing by Waratahs during the loss to the Blues, indicating there may be some disagreement between his current side’s plans and Folau’s desire to play fullback.

ADVERTISEMENT

https://twitter.com/MariaFolau/status/992727849978155009

Folau courted controversy earlier this year over social media comments suggesting that God’s plan for gay people is “HELL… unless they repent of their sins and turn to God”.

Video Spacer
ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

N
Nickers 35 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

41 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING 'World-class finisher' offers All Blacks selection solution Mark Tele'a scores a double at Allianz Stadium
Search