Israel Folau targets ’emotional’ Australia return with ex-All Blacks boss against Lions after controversial 2019 exit
Former Wallabies full-back Israel Folau and ex-All Blacks head coach Ian Foster.
Six years after his controversial departure from the Wallabies, Israel Folau has revealed that he is keen to return to Australia to resume his playing career later this year.
The 35-year-old, who currently plies his trade with Japan Rugby League One outfit Urayasu D-Rocks, has expressed his desire to be selected for the combined Australia-New Zealand XV to take on the British and Irish Lions later this year.
Folau, who played mostly at full-back in 73 Tests for the Wallabies between 2013 and 2019, was sacked by Rugby Australia in 2019 for a “high-level” breach of their code of conduct following a stream of social media posts that were homophobic.
At the time, Folau’s contract was worth AUS$5-million and he eventually received a multimillion-dollar settlement from the governing body but has not played in Australia again.
Ian Foster to coach combined Australia-New Zealand XV
Last week it was announced that former All Blacks boss Ian Foster would coach the combined Australia-New Zealand XV and he name-checked former New Zealand half-backs Richie Mo’unga and Aaron Smith as well as former Wallabies skipper Michael Hooper as players who could line up in the invitational side against the Lions in Adelaide on July 12.
And Folau has now revealed that he also wants to be selected for the trans-Tasman outfit.
“If I was to get given that opportunity, it would be an awesome opportunity to play with guys that you used to play against, obviously the All Blacks, they’re world-class players,” Folau told News Corp.
“Getting a chance to run alongside them, and then obviously against the Lions, is huge.
“I’ve always been proud of being able to put that gold jersey on to represent the Wallabies. I was fortunate enough to do it for a very long time.
‘I still love the game over there’
“And I’ve got nothing negative against what’s happened in the past. I still love the game over there.
“I enjoy the supporters and the fans. And if this was an opportunity that came about, it would be very exciting to play in front of Aussie supporters again.”
The former rugby league star is a father of two children and said he would love to play in front of his family in Australia.
“Just thinking about it makes me a little bit emotional,” added Folau. “I think back 12 years ago, life’s changed so much, obviously a lot of things happened.
“I’ve got kids now. Life’s different, but if I do get the opportunity to play and my kids and my wife get to witness that, it would be definitely pretty special.”
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