Israel Folau: ‘In terms of the Wallabies, I’ve never shut that door’

Israel Folau says he has ‘never shut the door’ on playing for the Wallabies again, as he views Joseph Suaalii has his natural successor at fullback.

Israel Folau at Urayasu D-Rocks training fields in Japan on Friday. Picture: Shoko Takayasu

Three-time John Eales medal winner Israel Folau says he has “never shut the door” on playing for the Wallabies again, but currently his attention is on another NRL convert’s career, his friend Joseph Suaalii who is on the cusp of making his Australian debut.

Folau, who first met Suaalii when he was a talented schoolboy rugby player, has labelled the 21-year-old an “exceptional” footballer and believes the former Roosters star will make a great fullback for the Wallabies side.

Suaalii is pressing for Test selection on the upcoming spring tour after earning a call-up to the Wallabies squad.

Australian coach Joe Schmidt has indicated Suaalii will be in line for his international debut against England or Wales.

Schmidt has not yet decided which position Suaalii will play, saying he is considering him as a fullback, wing or centre.

But Folau, arguably the greatest rugby league convert to Australian rugby after he scored a record-breaking 60 Super Rugby tries, believes Suaalii will do well at fullback as he eases into the game.

Israel Folau, currently playing for Urayasu D-Rocks in Japan, says he wants to represent the Wallabies again. Picture: Shoko Takayasu

“I probably see him as a fullback,” Folau said. “I would put him at fullback, I … can only compare it to my transition. So when I first came to the Waratahs, I was obviously new to the game, so (coach) Michael Cheika placed me at fullback, and sort of just gave me the licence to really inject myself here and there.

“So I felt like at that time, for me, I just went out there to play footy and just try and enjoy it.

“I think I see the same for him, but he’s such a big body that he could, he could probably, long term, maybe just probably play at 13 (outside centre), but for now I just think fullback, for me personally, is his position.”

Folau scored 73 tries in 91 NRL appearances for the Storm and Brisbane Broncos, and played eight times for the Kangaroos. His five games for the Queensland State of Origin team produced five tries including a stunning high leap at Suncorp Stadium in 2008. A high-flying score matched by Suaalii playing for the Sydney Roosters against Parramatta at the same venue during Magic Round in 2022.

After a stint with the GWS Giants, to play Australian football, Folau dominated for the Wallabies. He earned 73 Wallabies caps and scored 37 tries for Australia. Only David Campese (64), Chris Latham (40) and Adam Ashley-Cooper (39) have scored more.

However, in May 2019 the then 30 year old’s $4m RA contract was terminated after an independent panel found he committed a high-level breach of Rugby Australia’s code of conduct for posting religiously inspired, anti-gay comments on social media.

Folau at 35 believes he has not only the physicality but the mindset to play at the top of the game again; he represented Tonga in 2022, and notes he has never shut the door on the Wallabies.

“In terms of the Wallabies, I’ve never shut that door, you know?” Folau told The Weekend Australian. “You never know how things will pan out in the future, but I guess in the meantime, I’m enjoying my time in Japan and enjoying the game most of all as well.”

Folau represented Tonga in 2022 and would have sit out a qualification period again should he revert back to the gold jersey.

NRL convert Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii joined his new NSW Waratahs teammates in Canberra after his multi-million dollar code switch ahead of the Wallabies tour of Great Britain and Ireland.

For the past four years Folau has been stonewalled by both Australian rugby and the NRL, but has found a home in Japan playing for the Urayasu D-Rocks which he says is a “blessing”. But for now, Folau’s focus is on Suaalii and he has high hopes for him.

“What he’s done in the NRL, just shows you how much talent he’s got,” Folau said.

“And then I think obviously making a transition to rugby, he went to rugby school, so he’s got that background there. I think he’s got no dramas in the sense of understanding the game and just making the transition over.”

The pair have a long association, with Folau first meeting Suaalii when he was at King’s and he has also met Suaalii’s family.

“He comes from a wonderful family,” Folau said.

“I’ve met both his mum and dad, and so they’re really great people, hard working people, and so he’s come from a really good family.

I have watched his progress over the years and seen the type of person he is now and what he’s achieved – and I’ve kept in contact with him here and there just over the last couple of years.

“But he’s a great kid, he’s got a good head on his shoulders, he is really grounded, really humble and I think that comes obviously from his parents.

“I’m pretty excited for him and to see what he will achieve on the field, but off the field is such a great, great guy, and just really level headed.”

While Folau has a deep appreciation and love of the game, and still believes he too can have an impact on the game as a veteran. rugby sources say his speed and athleticism is as strong as when he was playing in the NRL.

Folau, who watches rugby every now and then, while the Wallabies have floundered on the world stage of late he does believe they can get back to their best.

“I think Australian Rugby has got some great, great young talent coming through,” he said.

“So if they can keep those guys together, and, you know, just get some consistent rugby at a good, good level. I think those guys will flourish moving forward.

“Like I’ve said it in the past, I want to see Australian rugby do well, thrive and just play the type of rugby that most people know they can play.”