Australia
ARU must do all it can to keep Folau: Tuqiri
ESPN Staff
April 22, 2014
Israel Folau poses during a press conference to announce his decision to remain in rugby union, Fairfield High School, Sydney, August 29, 2013
The ARU will need to do whatever it takes to keep Folau in rugby, Tuqiri says © Getty Images
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Dual-international Lote Tuqiri says the Australian Rugby Union must do all it can to keep Israel Folau in rugby after his contract ends next year. Folau's brilliance exceeded all expectations last year, and Tuqiri believes Folau's marketability makes him essential for the ARU.

Scoring nine tries in five games this season, Tuqiri told Fairfax Media Folau had "probably gone over and above how I thought he would go initially. I always knew he would go pretty well but he has taken to it like a duck to water. He is definitely, I think, one of the best players in the world at the moment…in rugby union."

One of the ARU's biggest draw-cards, Tuqiri believes Folau's value on the world market in union and league is huge, but Folau's place in the ARU's marketing strategy makes it essential he stays in rugby.

"He would be huge for both codes. The ARU should pull out all the stops to try and keep him," Tuqirir said. "He is a very marketable player. He can put bums on seats. The kids love him. For both codes, he could do that.

"The importance of him staying in rugby is huge for rugby union. He has a huge following. Every time he touches the ball…every time you see something about rugby on TV, it is about Israel Folau. He is performing well, putting bums on seats and doing all that stuff with their marketing…and playing at that level to command interest."

However, as ESPNscrum columnist Greg Growden wrote last week the ARU bungle of Israel Folau's throat injury could cost the code their biggest star, with Greg Growden writing, "Waratahs snouts have informed us that due to this fiasco, discussions between Folau's management and the Sydney Roosters NRL club have begun."

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