Australian rugby
Tuqiri tips Folau to earn Wallabies berth
May 7, 2013
The Waratahs' Israel Folau touches down to score, Southern Kings v Waratahs, Super Rugby, Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth, May 4, 2013
Former Wallabies winger Lote Tuqiri has joined the chorus of support for Waratahs fullback Israel Folau © Getty Images
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Lote Tuqiri believes that Israel Folau has a promising future in rugby union and will soon secure selection in Robbie Deans' Wallabies squad.

Folau is being tipped to be an important player in the three forthcoming Tests against the British & Irish Lions and Tuqiri believes he will enjoy a long future in green and gold if he chooses to stay in rugby.

The 23-year-old formerly played rugby league for Melbourne Storm and Brisbane Broncos before switching codes in this season, after a three-year spell playing Australian Rules football.

And Tuqiri, who was capped 67 times for the Wallabies in his union career before moving to league, is hopeful that Folau will, at some point, return to ply his trade in rugby league again.

Lote Tiqiri believes Israel Folau is ready for a Wallabies jumper
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"I think he's playing really well," Tuqiri said of the Waratahs full-back. "A Wallabies jersey is just around the corner for him. I said that at the start of the year and I haven't changed my mind in that sense. I think he is doing some really good things in rugby, and we would love to have him over here [from rugby union with the Waratahs]. Hopefully that will happen for us next year and he'll be back in rugby league.

"If he's enjoying himself, then he needs to make those decisions himself. But if he wants some advice, then he's got my number and everything else. He's got some good team-mates here, and a good coach steering him in the right direction at the moment."

The first clash between Australia and the Lions takes place in Brisbane on June 22.

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