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Israel Folau's playing future decided

By Online Editors
Israel Folau. Photo / Getty Images

Israel Folau is close to signing a three-year deal to remain with the Waratahs and in Australia.

New South Wales Rugby boss Andrew Hore said a deal with Folau was “imminent”, while Wallabies coach Michael Cheika hopes for the paperwork to be completed this week.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported that a three-year deal to stay with the Waratahs is the likely outcome, though an official agreement has not been reached.

“I don’t know where it’s going to finish exactly, I hope it’s going to get finalised this week, but we’re keen for him to stay as close as he can for as long as he can,” Cheika told Fox Sports earlier in the week.

“We’ve invested now in him and you can see his versatility in the game now where he’s able to move from position to position even in a game and I think he’s still getting some of the ropes.”

Hore said the Waratahs were also close to retaining Wallabies No. 10 Bernard Foley, who is likely to re-join on a one year deal and head overseas after the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

116-Test veteran Adam Ashley-Cooper may also be coming back to the club after a three-year stint overseas. The 34-year-old is currently with the Kobelco Steelers in Japan.

“Adam Ashley-Cooper has expressed an interest,” he said. “We think in a year such as a World Cup year, where depth is going to be important, that we can see merit in Adam coming back. Everyone speaks very highly of his character and leadership is a valuable asset.

“Those discussions are live so we will see where that goes.”

The Wallabies will next play later this month, when they head to Japan for the third Bledisloe Cup Test against the All Blacks.

In other news:

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Bull Shark 2 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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