Parramatta Eels are in discussions to lure Israel Folau back to rugby league from rugby union, 18 months after their efforts to sign him when he quit the Australian Football League were undone by red tape, Fairfax Media has reported.
The Eels looked set to sign Folau when he quit the Greater Western Sydney Giants, but the Australian Rugby League Commission refused to register the proposed back-ended deal – gifting the ARU and the Waratahs an opportunity to sign the player who has become the brightest star in Australian rugby.
The National Rugby League has since announced salary cap changes that allow central contracting in order to keep the biggest names in the game – and to lure big names to the code.
Fairfax Media reports the Eels must offload a number of contracted players, and hope for NRL assistance, if they hope to sign Folau, but they are buoyed by the fact that his younger brother, John, is at the club. Folau also is a friend and former schoolmate of Eels co-captain Jarryd Hayne.
Waratahs 41-13 Lions (video available only in Australia)