Waratahs to sign Folau - Stuart Upset - Eels Blogs

THE NSW Waratahs are on the verge of securing a $1 million coup after emerging as the dark horse to sign Israel Folau.In the wake of the collapse of Folau's NRL return with Parramatta, rugby union is in position to pounce.Branded a money-hungry mercenary after rejecting a deal to join the Eels, The Sunday Telegraph can reveal that Folau's agent Isaac Moses has been in secret talks with the Waratahs and a deal could be announced by the middle of next week.Waratahs chief executive Jason Allen was guarded about the prospect of any deal with Folau being done, but he confirmed that the Super 15 franchise had one spot vacant on the playing roster for next season."We're always interested in quality players and we do have a large portion of our roster off contract in 2014, so we're talking to a number of agents on a regular basis," Allen said."Beyond that, our policy is that we don't make public comment about individual contracts."For the Super 15 outfit and rugby union in Australia, Folau's signature should be seen as a major celebration and a huge money-spinning opportunity in terms of new memberships, crowd figures, television ratings and interest in the code.But for the NRL it is an abject failure.Parramatta coach Ricky Stuart spoke for the first time yesterday about Folau's decision to backflip on the deal.Folau telephoned Stuart back in September to outline how miserable he was playing AFL with the GWS Giants and explain why he wanted to return to rugby league.The former Queensland State of Origin and Test centre even went so far as to suggest his return to the NRL wasn't entirely driven by money, but a desire to play alongside his mates like Jarryd Hayne and Tim Mannah.Stuart is now questioning Folau's ethics after the developments of the past 48 hours."I'd rather know today about the dishonorable characteristics of Israel than pay him all the money that we tried to secure over the past eight weeks, then find out about the way he operates," Stuart said."I know it's an easy throwaway line, but success is built on culture and our club is plus one in culture by not having Israel."Power-brokers at NRL headquarters, headed by the interim chief executive Shane Mattiske and salary-cap auditor Ian Schubert, will be red-faced over the latest developments and Folau's potential move to Super rugby.Folau arranged a meeting with Mattiske before he quit the AFL to signal his desire to return to league and a deal should have been stitched-up the day after he finished his GWS Giants commitments.But the Eels deal was blocked by salary-cap auditor Schubert, who refused to allow Parramatta to register a contract for next season for anything less than $400,000.Stuart is clearly upset and I would be to. Folau dogged us plain and simple. We dodged a bullet and its good to see Stuart wanting players who want to play for our team.http://m.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/nsw-waratahs-on-verge-of-signing-israel-folau-in-1-million-deal-to-play-super-rugby/story-e6frexnr-1226528140890

And so what should be done in response to Titans Mgmt encouraging mercenary behaviour? Does one call a spade a spade, or does one absolve them via oblique references to the behaviour of others, setting up a kind of sucking-up-to-the-man behaviour? Won't the latter just leave the Eels MORE likely to be the victim of mercenary "paying overs"?

I'm currently more fond of Sticky's response. Sticky has not over-complicated the issue. He stuck Falou with the blame. End of story. He wants honorable players. Not cosy relations with Titans that will hopefully bring honorable players. Just get an honorable player. There's sometimes a tremendous virtue in simplicity, and currently Sticky is being virtuous by keeping it simple. Of course, Sticky's simplicity also puts Titans on the hook, because Sticky is implicating them in having allowed a situation where their client looks bad.

"Ryles has debuted almost everyone he can this season.
Twidle, Brown, Nanva, Pryke all debuted this season from our pathways. You don't really have anyone else you could debut."

"I actually agree with you, I thought Kelma really stodd up in the 2nd half and bent them back. I've said it a couple of times here, but I think we should move him into the middle as he's a massive and destructive unit. He's not mobile enough in this…"

Replies

Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown December 2, 2012 at 12:17am

Well i love the way ricky talks, i love his honesty n passion, he is a breath of fresh air to our club.
- Danny Crnk it up > Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown December 2, 2012 at 1:13am
  
  Agreed
- robbie maxwell > Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown December 4, 2012 at 2:49pm
  
  the snake,can you tell me this mate,why on earth does izzy falou think hes worth more then all past great s from the n.r.l...lets start a vote, do you one eyed eels think izzy falou's worth as much as 1.5 mil a year?.
  
  my vote is '' no.''
  
  infact in my view we are very lucky ''mr greed'' izzy falou knifed ricky in the back.
  
  to pay izzy all the cash parra was prepared to do,would have opened a can of worms, and lost hayne in my view.
  
  go after thurstan i say,he's worth 1.4 mil a season.
Ace Eel December 2, 2012 at 12:34am

FARK...didn't tahu...bung this same caper.. just more ongoing fruitless transactions.....christ knows... what players are we still paying 4.......bring on 3PF..
Michael Picklum December 2, 2012 at 12:42am

I wish the NRL would decree a 1 way ticket for player who defect. After the SBW debacle & now this, the NRL should not allow a player to return to the NRL after they defect to another code. It would make players think long & hard before they defect & save the game from future embrassment. These blokes make a mockery of League & the game owes them nothing. They r only interested in Money.
Hugo December 2, 2012 at 12:48am

So now will we stop blaming 3 P and blame the real perpetrator...
1Eyed Eel December 2, 2012 at 12:58am

Except Titans Management represent A LOT of players....
- Hugo > 1Eyed Eel December 2, 2012 at 1:07am
  
  Yes they do but there will be a big negative fallout to this , wait and see.
  The players all want more money but not at the expense of loyalty, trust and a mans word.
  All I can say is that izzy has been very very badly advised and I fear his reputation will never be the same.
  The manager is there to do more than make money for the player.
- Prof. Daz > 1Eyed Eel December 2, 2012 at 4:33am
  
  And so what should be done in response to Titans Mgmt encouraging mercenary behaviour? Does one call a spade a spade, or does one absolve them via oblique references to the behaviour of others, setting up a kind of sucking-up-to-the-man behaviour? Won't the latter just leave the Eels MORE likely to be the victim of mercenary "paying overs"?
  
  I'm currently more fond of Sticky's response. Sticky has not over-complicated the issue. He stuck Falou with the blame. End of story. He wants honorable players. Not cosy relations with Titans that will hopefully bring honorable players. Just get an honorable player. There's sometimes a tremendous virtue in simplicity, and currently Sticky is being virtuous by keeping it simple. Of course, Sticky's simplicity also puts Titans on the hook, because Sticky is implicating them in having allowed a situation where their client looks bad.
- Sharkiesboomboomboom > 1Eyed Eel December 2, 2012 at 6:29am
  
  They do represent a lot of players. I knew they represented Paul Gallen and Todd Carney but was surprised by the number of players: http://www.titanmanagement.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&...
  
  Home

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Waratahs to sign Folau - Stuart Upset

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