Israel Folau tests the waters in South Africa
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With Rugby Australia and Israel Folau finally settling their case of unfair dismissal, Israel Folau is looking for a new club to ply his trade which has led him to South Africa.
It seems that the former Wallabies and Waratahs fullback has not given up on playing rugby union but it won't be at South African franchise, the Bulls. According to Blue Bulls Company’s CEO, Alfons Meyer, Israel Folau's camp contacted the Bulls and offered the player’s services to the Super Rugby side.
Speaking to Netwerk24, Meyer said that he was initially excited when one of Folau’s representatives contacted him before looking at the situation with a 'sober mind'.
After several official and unofficial mediation sessions, Folau and Rugby Australia and New South Wales Rugby settled out of court on “confidential terms” on Wednesday.
The 73-Test cap former Wallaby is now looking to rebuild his career.
“I’m not sure if it is Folau’s lawyer, but a lawyer approached us to hear if we are interested in contracting him,” said Meyer.
“Initially, I was excited but if you look at this matter with a sober mind then it’s simply not worth the risk. He is controversial and you’ll expose yourself by contracting him.”
#IsraelFolau steek voelers uit na #Bulle.https://t.co/qAA4eDvAf6
— Netwerk24 Sport (@Netwerk24Sport) December 5, 2019
(Foto: Getty)@IzzyFolau @BlueBullsRugby @RugbyAU @wallabies pic.twitter.com/S7qHqn2k9o
“It’s a pity because he (Folau) is a very special player,” added Meyer.
“He is probably amongst the top two or three players in the world. If it wasn’t for his comments, we would have given our all to have him in the group.”
Meyer also revealed that the Bulls tried to sign Glasgow Warriors, Scotland and former Stormers centre Huw Jones to Pretoria for their 2020 Super Rugby campaign, to cover the loss of Jesse Kriel however the centre had another designation in mind.
“We are still looking for a centre, who has played at Test level and we wanted to negotiate with Huw but he would prefer to go to the Cape,” he said.
