Bill Pulver hopes Israel Folau will place the Wallabies jumper above money © Getty Images

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The Australian Rugby Union has all but ruled out the introduction of sabbaticals for Wallabies players, but chief executive Bill Pulver is hopeful such inflexibility won't lead to a mass exodus of stars after the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England.

Israel Folau this week joined the chorus of calls from Test greats including former Australia captains John Eales, George Gregan and Stirling Mortlock for players to be allowed to accept lucrative short-term deals to play overseas without losing their eligibility to represent the Wallabies. ARU rules stipulate that players must complete a full season of domestic rugby in Australia to be eligible for the Wallabies.

Pulver maintained, however, that he had "zero appetite" for player sabbaticals.

"There is a lot of discussion around this but I have to be clear: I have zero appetite to change it," Pulver said, believing he had the support of Australian fans in saying no player was bigger than the game.

Pulver said the prospect of losing Folau, the jewel in the Wallabies' crown, would not alter his hard-line stance.

"It's not a concern," he said.

"Look, at the end of the day, we only want people to play rugby in Australia who want to play rugby in Australia. We're not about trying to talk anyone into staying if they don't want to stay. So every individual player will have to form their own view.

"When it comes to that policy, I really do not see it changing and I think the logic's pretty compelling. Why would you choose Wallabies from overseas markets, which would most likely then allow a serious exit of playing talent from this country and dilute the calibre of our competition? That's not what we want to do with the game in Australia."

Folau is contracted until the end of 2015 and says he's happy in rugby, but the dual international said on Monday that he would explore "all options" after the World Cup. He has been the subject of recent reports that Toulon want to make him the best-paid rugby player in the world.

Pulver is optimistic that Folau will follow the lead of Wallabies team-mates Matt Toomua and Christian Leali'ifano, among others, to commit to Australian rugby long-term, hopeful the fullback will place prestige and the chance to become Australia's greatest player in history above money.

"He's a phenomenal talent," Pulver said of Folau. "He could well be on a path to being the best rugby player in the world. He could be on a path to being the most significant rugby player in Australian history. He's an incredible talent. Fans gravitate towards the guy, and he lights up whatever field he runs on to.

"So is he a great asset to Australian rugby? Clearly. Would we love to keep him long-term? Clearly.

"From what I understand of Israel Folau's position, I think he's loving our game. He's a really good guy whose values are completely aligned with Australian rugby - and world rugby - so I think there's a lot of reasons why he should stay. Ultimately, that will come down to a negotiation process that I really can't predict."

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