Code-hopper looks to have finally found a new home in the 15-man game.
Waratahs coach Michael Cheika has given his strongest indication yet that duel-international Israel Folau is set to put pen to paper on a new deal NSW and the Australian Rugby Union.
Folau has been strongly linked with a return to the National Rugby League where he made his name, with several teams very interested in signing the former Melbourne Storm player.
However, Cheika believes Folau’s experience of playing on the international stage as part of the Wallabies against the British and Irish Lions, opened his eyes as to what is possible in the 15-man game.
“He’s enjoying himself in rugby and that series would definitely have given him great experience,” Cheika said.
“I don’t think it will be a clincher in any way, shape or form.
“I think his decision – in his head he has already done it – even before entering into that Test series.
“It’s just a matter of us refining the details and the duration and what’s going to happen and hopefully they will get finalised in the near future.”
Folau has enjoyed a meteoric rise to fame in rugby union after starred with the Waratahs this Super 15 season before scoring twice on debut for the Wallabies.
The flying winger did not finish the third Test match against the Lions due to a hamstring strain, which is expected to have healed in time for the first Bledisloe Cup game against New Zealand on August 17.
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