Super Rugby: Israel Folau’s brother John granted immediate release by Waratahs for ‘personal reasons’

Just three weeks after Israel Folau was sacked for breaching rugby’s code of conduct, his 24-year-old brother John has left the Waratah, citing 'personal reasons’ for his decision.

Israel Folau and his brother John.

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Israel Folau’s younger brother John has quit the Waratahs after being granted a release from his contract for “personal reasons” but has made a pledge to continue playing club rugby.

Just three weeks after Israel was sacked by Rugby Australia and NSW Rugby for breaching the sport’s code of conduct, his 24-year-old sibling has told left the Waratahs he wants out.

“We gave John some time off for leave,” NSW coach Daryl Gibson said.

Israel Folau and his brother John.

“He’s come back to us recently and asked for a release, which we were happy to grant.

“John’s been in a difficult position for the last wee while.

“He’s got really divided loyalties to his family, obviously, and his brother, but then also to the team.”

The same height as his brother but with a few extra kilos, the chance to play alongside Israel was part of John’s motivation to switch codes from league to union but it never happened.

Although he played for the Emerging Waratahs and was picked on the bench for the match against the Sunwolves, John didn’t get a single minute on the field in Super Rugby after playing eight NRL games with the Parramatta Eels.

“He wanted to stress how much he enjoyed being with the team and what a difficult decision that was for him,” Gibson said.

“We can all understand the loyalty he has to his family and to his brother and totally respect that position.”

John isn’t giving up rugby completely though, telling Western Sydney he wants to continue playing Shute Shield.

He also taking a week off from club rugby to consider his future but informed the Two Blues last week he wasn’t ready to hang up his boots just yet.

John Folau during his stint with the Eels in the NRL.

“I’ve spoken to him and he’s told me he wants to play out the rest of the season, then we’ll take it from there,” Western Sydney coach Joel Rivers told The Daily Telegraph.

“He’s been a fantastic addition to the club, on and off the field, and everyone loves having him around so we’re really pleased he’s staying.”

Former South Sydney Rabbitoh Tautalatasi Tasi has been signed as John’s replacement after impressing for Gordon.

With Karmichael Hunt out for the rest of the season with a knee injury, Tasi has been rushed straight into the squad so will start on the bench against the Brumbies on Saturday night.

Originally published as Super Rugby: Israel Folau’s brother John granted immediate release by Waratahs for ‘personal reasons’