27 Jul 2013

Folau set to sign with ARU

2:57 pm on 27 July 2013

Israel Folau is believed to have agreed to a two-year contract with the New South Wales Waratahs and is now hoping to complete a deal with the Australian Rugby Union to extend his Wallabies career.

Fairfax Media reports that the strapping winger is comfortable with his Super Rugby deal but just needs to nut out the final details of his top-up from the ARU to make the announcement.

The ARU has been negotiating to retain the 24-year-old since his stunning Wallabies debut in the three-Test series against the British and Irish Lions last month.

There's been much speculation about his future and whether he'd add to his one season in rugby union or return to rugby league, with NRL clubs Canterbury, Manly and the Sydney Roosters rumoured to be among the suitors.

Folau was spotted at the State of Origin decider last week with the NRL's second-in-charge Todd Greenberg and was said to be training with Manly this week.

But he was then named by the new Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie in a 40-man squad for the Rugby Championship starting next month.