Israel Folau NRL: Blues coach Brad Fittler has urged Israel Folau to defect to NSW if he returns

Even though he is a five-time Maroon, Brad Fittler has urged Campbelltown boy Israel Folau to declare his allegiance to NSW after backing him to make an NRL return.

Israel Folau of the maroons jumps jumps in the air after scoring a try during the third game of the State of Origin series in Sydney on Wednesday, July 2, 2008. (AAP Image/Jenny Evans) NO ARCHIVING

Brad Fittler has encouraged Israel Folau to declare his allegiance for NSW after backing the former Maroons’ star in his bid to return to rugby league.

Joining Willie Mason and Sam Thaiday by publicly backing the sacked Wallaby, Fittler predicted Folau would make an immediate impact in the NRL should he be allowed to sign a deal.

The NSW State of Origin coach went as far as suggesting the NSW-born dual international might even be good enough to play for the Blues.

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Israel Folau has played five times for the Maroons - the last time back in 2010.

“He is from Campbelltown, isn’t he?’ Fittler said.

“Since he has been away, can he change? Queensland seem to do that. He spent a lot of time out at Minto, didn’t he?”

In a statement that has added weight to the campaign to bring back Folau, Fittler threw his support behind the former Wallaby even though St George Illawarra pulled out of signing him on Wednesday night.

The NRL could block any move but Folau is expected to pursue other avenues.

“I like watching Israel Folau play footy,” Fittler said.

“I don’t necessarily listen to anything he says because I don’t have social media and I am not over any of that. It is going to be up to the game to decide if he can play and I hope he can because I like watching him play.”

Fittler also suggested the NRL had policies and procedures that could prevent Folau from making further inflammatory remarks on social media.

Brad Fittler would like to see Israel Folau back in the NRL.

“Well apparently there is,” Fittler said.

“But I am not really up to date with what happened to him in rugby, but as I said, I love watching him play rugby league and I don’t follow him on Twitter.”

Fittler said the 31-year-old, who made his NRL debut with Melbourne Storm, would make an immediate impact in the NRL should the Dragon’s deal get the green light.

“The couple of times I saw him play he looked as good as ever,” Fittler said.

“I think he will make an impact straight away.”

Originally published as Israel Folau NRL: Blues coach Brad Fittler has urged Israel Folau to defect to NSW if he returns