Rugby Confidential: Israel Folau to remain in Australian rugby until 2021
A new deal for Israel Folau, why Pocock sought out Kiwi PM, Ta’avao has last laugh on Aussie rugby, and South African politics.
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ISRAEL Folau will remain at the NSW Waratahs until the end of 2021, with the fullback set to extend his time with Rugby Australia for a further three years.
Rugby Confidential understands Folau is close to signing the deal that will also allow him an off-season in Japan to play in the Top League.
Folau had been in close negotiations with Queensland Reds coach Brad Thorn earlier this year and had all but made up his mind to cross the border in 2019.
However, it’s no surprise Folau is tipped to remain in Sydney, given Queensland’s woes, with some key players seeking to find new clubs.
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Folau’s wife Maria will also be able to play netball in Sydney for the GWS Giants team next season, and that is another big factor.
With Folau and Michael Hooper locked up, the only major signature the Wallabies and Tahs will be waiting upon is five-eighth Bernard Foley.
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DAVID Pocock sought out New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern at Eden Park last Saturday to praise her on an issue close to both their hearts.
“I just wanted to meet her, I feel like she’s provided some real leadership on climate change and plastic in the ocean, doing a really good job from what I can see,’ Pocock said.
“So I just wanted to say G’day.”
Pocock immediately moved towards Ardern after the on-field formalities had concluded following the Bledisloe Cup defeat to the All Blacks.
The pair spoke for a short while on the side of the pitch.
Pocock’s on-field doggedness and off-field leadership on environmental and humanitarian issues has won him great admirers across the ditch, with several Kiwis specifically naming him as one of the few bright lights for Australian rugby during our week in Auckland.
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IT says a whole lot about the poor state of Australian rugby development that Angus Ta’avao has been called into the All Blacks’ squad for the remainder of The Rugby Championship.
Ta’avao replaces injured prop Joe Moody.
The same Ta’avao that spent two years, 2016-17, at the NSW Waratahs and looked like one of their worst ever overseas signings, spending most of his time on the bench.
Yet Ta’avao moved to the Chiefs this year, and after one season in their system began producing outstanding performances.
So much so that he’s now in the New Zealand squad. Few could have imagined this scenario last year, and raises questions as to how the Tahs failed to get the best out of the front rower.
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DON’T expect South Africa to abandon Super Rugby just yet.
While South Africa Rugby Union president Mark Alexander raised eyebrows when he said this week his players would be better off playing in the northern hemisphere, there’s unlikely to be a withdrawal from the next SANZAAR broadcast deal.
It’s understood South Africa is still very keen to remain a major player in the southern hemisphere for the next deal, and will reassess their options thereafter.
Alexander created intense speculation that South Africa was about to bail on SANZAAR this week when he said: “When we become a full PRO14 member next season, we’ll be the only nation who plays in the north and the south, and the major benefit of playing in the northern hemisphere is the players are better off.
“With the structure of the PRO14 competition the way it is, it’s easier for travelling, with distances between places less than in the south, and the time zones are also better.
“When you consider player welfare and what’s best for them, then the north is better.”
South Africa already has the Cheetahs and Southern Kings playing the Pro14 after they were axed in the Super Rugby overhaul.
There has been much speculation other African franchises will follow in coming years.
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