Israel Folau wants ARU to introduce overseas sabbaticals for Wallaby stars
ISRAEL Folau has urged the ARU to introduce overseas sabbaticals for Wallaby stars including himself.
Wallabies
Don't miss out on the headlines from Wallabies. Followed categories will be added to My News.
ISRAEL Folau has urged the ARU to introduce overseas sabbaticals for Wallaby stars including himself.
The subject of intense speculation over his future, Folau again confirmed he would be playing in Australia until next year’s World Cup, but after that he will explore all offers including those from cashed-up French and Japanese clubs.
Additionally to his playing strengths, Folau is the most important marketing tool Australian rugby has and it would be a major blow to lose him post-2015.
ARU board member John Eales has already suggested that the union may relax its policy on banning any overseas-based player from being selected for the Wallabies, and Folau would like the option to play for an overseas club and still be eligible for national duty.
“My view on it, it would be nice, if you want to keep players in Australia and to play here in Australia, it would be nice to have that option,” Folau said.
“That’s up to the ARU, to come up with that.
“At this stage it’s not in, and we’ve just got to go with what we have.
“We’ve seen it in the past with Matt Giteau and all those guys going overseas and not getting a chance to represent their country again.
“It’s up to them to bring that in, and I think it would be a great option for the players.
“It gives them an option to stay in Australia and continue to represent their country.”
The All Blacks already allow sabbaticals for their elite stars, with Dan Carter and Ma’a Nonu playing for overseas clubs in between seasons to boost their earnings and experience overseas lifestyles.
Folau has already been linked with French giants Toulon but said his management had not been contacted by them.
But there is no doubt that many overseas clubs will be vying for Folau’s services from 2016.
“I think it’s just rumours floating around, speaking to my management there is certainly nothing from there (from Toulon),” Folau said.
“I am with the Tahs next year, so there’s no need to be looking at anything else at this time of the year.
“As we get closer we’ll start assessing the options, what’s on the table.
“Everyone knows there is a lot of money you can get over there as a player, there are a lot of things you have to weigh up, the lifestyle, different things you have to weigh up before making the overall decision.
“But I don’t think it’s completely about the money, as a player you think about everything before making a decision like that.
“I’m sure (Toulon) can provide a lot of things over there, but at the end of the day it’s the player himself who makes the decision whether he wants to go there or not.
“You’ve got a lot of things to weigh up, not just the money, there is family stuff and other stuff that comes into the decision.”
Having seen Waratahs teammates Drew Mitchell, Kane Douglas and Alofa Alofa take up offers to play in Europe in the past 18 months, Folau said the lure of plying the trade in a foreign land appealed for many reasons.
“There’s different reasons players want to play overseas, a different lifestyle and different experience,” Folau said.
“It’s very appealing and exciting for players.
“It’s something that rugby brings, it’s exciting, it has changed my view on things.
“I certainly love Australia and playing my rugby here, it just presents a different experience if you decide to go. It’s good to have that option.
“At the moment I’m really enjoying my rugby, I would like to stay in Australia if I can.
“Otherwise we’ll see what happens next year come that time.”
Originally published as Israel Folau wants ARU to introduce overseas sabbaticals for Wallaby stars