Falou - How Much??

[DinkyDi]

http://planetrugby.com/story/0,25883...625429,00.html

Not too long after Israel Folau dotted down for the most irrelevant of scores for the Waratahs in Wellington, the details of his contract were opened up to all in a New Zealand newspaper report.

Folau, the latest in a line of leaguies to cross the code and try his hand in union, is said to be the second-highest paid rugby union player in Australia (after Quade Cooper of 'toxic team atmosphere' fame), despite having completed only his sixth game in the code on Saturday. He is said to be raking in around AU$ 750k.

It is, as the newspaper pointed out, a monumental risk. The rate of return on big-name cross-coders succeeding stands at considerably less than 50 per cent globally. Some - Mark Gasnier and Willie Mason are good examples - pretty much sink without trace.

But for Robbie Deans in a Lions tour year, it's a pain in the backside he could well do without. No doubt there will be pressure upon Deans to make sure that Folau's ARU salary commands some ARU gold jersey time, yet not only is Folau clearly behind three other players for the 15 jersey, he is also extremely unlikely to fit in at any other position.

Granted one of those ahead of him is the disgraced Kurtley Beale, but it's tough to justify Folau's inclusion in a Wallaby squad on current form. Signs are there he is developing into a solid player, but nowhere near Test class yet.

For a union so often pleading poverty, it's a staggering amount of money - even if the cost of living in Australia is rising prohibitively fast and it's less than it sounds when considered in terms of purchasing power.

We'll see what happens when Wallaby squad time comes around. But in terms of the bigger picture, it also points perhaps a very clear picture that the ARU is so unconfident in what similar sums of money might be used to bring through the youth systems that it felt it necessary to clutch at Folau whatever the cost.

Lean times ahead for Australia?


Please tell me its not true - $750k... i'll have some of that thanks

[DinkyDi]

Opps - sorry for the missssspellingk - Folau

[jargan83]

Wouldn't be a surprise given the Eels were offering 600k a year (I think)

[chibi]

This above article shows a glimpse of some of the misguided philosophies at the ARU.

[zed]

Very overpriced. He's been solid, but nothing more so far. He is improving with each game, but I can't recall that many (any?) line breaks he's made this year, plus considering he spent 2 years playing gayFL he doesn't exactly get much distance with his kicks.

[goony]

Very overpriced. He's been solid, but nothing more so far. He is improving with each game, but I can't recall that many (any?) line breaks he's made this year, plus considering he spent 2 years playing gayFL he doesn't exactly get much distance with his kicks.

He has made quite a few breaks, and set up a few tries (bombed a few as well!!), but he should definitely not be the 2nd highest paid player in Australia - unless it was mainly from a third party. Would be disappointing if the ARU was the main one funding his salary, that money would go a long way within academies!

[SNOB]

I would want him to prove himself before he receives any ARU top up and think its an insult to the hard working guys that have grafted their butts off for years.

[chibi]

Isn't it unfortunate that we were all saying the same things roughly 10 years ago, after the influx of Queensland State-of-Origin players into Australian rugby? Nothing's changed and the ARU wonder why we've won bugger all in a decade.

[Political BS]

$750K = 3 State based academies.
Priorities please ARU!!!

[shasta]

If the rumours around Belmore Oval are true and Folau ends up a Bulldog next year, they will look even more stupid than usual. How can anyone possibly justify that kind of money for potential. He should have been made to commit to a longer back ended contract or sent packing.

Having said that I'd be pleased to see him at Belmore if that's the way it washes up.

[The Boab]

Rumours from the Eastern states that Folau is already taking to the Canterbury Bulldogs for big Money !............................ Who said the kid was dumb.............his manager must be Koder Nasser.

[jargan83]

How long did he sign with NSW/ARU for?
Posted via Mobile Device

[shasta]

1 year. IIRC.
Posted via Mobile Device

[GIGS20]

He'll still get a gold jersey, the wet dream hasn't stopped based upon him taking some time to settle into the game. Unfortunately he won't hang around long enough to actually deliver on his potential as he has been told he'll tear up in rugby, will feel a failure when he has a slow start to his rookie season and bugger off quick smart.

Dumb by ARU and NSW!

[jargan83]

12 month contract with the ARU/NSW while the NRL sorts itself out in regards to a new salary cap and when the 12 month deal is up bugger off back to League

Well played Folau and lol @ ARU