* UPDATE * What I know about Izzy.

We all know how close Izzy was to joining the Eels a few years back right?

We were led to believe the Ian Schubert stuffed up the move - this is partially true but it's not the entire reason.

When I told Izzy how excited I was when I thought he was coming to the Eels he said he was so, so close to signing with us. He went on to say 2 things prevented him.

1. The NRL really wanted him to sign with the Titans. They though by preventing him from signing with the Eels that he would go to the Gold Coast. They were wrong.

2. Ricky Stuart had a real problem with how much Izzy wanted as a marquee player. He tried to screw Izzy down because he knew how much he wanted to play with his brother. Izzy felt disrespected.

In the end he said he didn't feel wanted by the NRL and by Ricky!

I finished by saying hopefully we'll see him in the blue and gold one day. He smiled, nodded and winked.

* UPDATE *

In todays news. I don't lie:
"It’s understood Israel Folau, 27, at one stage, was comfortable returning to the NRL but former NRL boss Dave Smith would only have him back if he joined a struggling club like Gold Coast".
https://www.triplem.com.au/sport/nrl/news/reports-israel-folau-linked-to-new-zealand-warriors/?station=sydney

"Absolutely, Mitchy. Pay, Dymock, Smith, McCracken—The Big Four—added class and steel. And without the SL war, they don't happen for us. IMO, without Walsh, who saved more tries than he scored, the Broncos probably don't win the 2025 GF."

"This is good for Iongi. May a far more high profile player; portaryed as 'violated', will hog the headlines and the NRL will need to be fair to he and Iongi when assessing any potential NRL sanctions. "

"Agreed, I also think when B Smith had that team in the 98 era (Pay / McCracken / Smith / Dymock) plus some others we had the steel; it was when they left for me that we softened a tad. I was at the minor semi againts Norths at Parra when we belted…"

Replies

Wizardssleeves official receipts January 14, 2017 at 2:15pm

The NRL didn't control the Titans until 2015 . In 2012 The Titans were competitive and we were spooners . Just doesn't make any sense .
slip January 14, 2017 at 2:23pm

He winked. Maybe he fancied you.
Blue and gold 4ever January 14, 2017 at 2:26pm

Izzy will not came to parra. His manager hates parramatta. Issac Moses has very close ties with the bulldogs. In saying this I think he will stay in union.
Enforcer Eel January 14, 2017 at 2:33pm

Yeah nah
Ron January 14, 2017 at 2:39pm

Also Folau wanted to sign for less than his market value which is why Schubert and the NRL messed it up, by the time he they approved it he had signed with the Warratahs

Ricky Stuart pays overs for most of his recruits, I doubt he cared how much Folau wanted.
Sir Col "THE NODDY MUSHROOM" January 14, 2017 at 5:49pm

I can tell you for a FACT that I haven't got any idea what you are all dribbling on about?
- slip > Sir Col "THE NODDY MUSHROOM" January 14, 2017 at 7:28pm
  
  Izzy goes both ways. That's what I took from the last paragraph.
- Prof. Daz > Sir Col "THE NODDY MUSHROOM" January 15, 2017 at 9:32am
  
  EAM, you missed Col using "all"...
RazorRam0n January 14, 2017 at 6:41pm

Thanks for sharing your encounter, true or not.
Michael Ericson January 14, 2017 at 9:18pm

Just because the NRL didn't have actual control over the Titans at that point doesn't change the fact they have always been desperate for the franchise to work. That part of it is plausible.