NZ Rugby stars rally against Israel Folau's controversial social media comments
Israel Folau's controversial views on homosexuality don't appear to have dampened the interest of overseas clubs with one English outfit reportedly offering the Wallaby fullback a contract worth $1.5 million a year.
English premiership club Sale, where former Wallaby James O'Connor currently plays, has tabled an offer of 750,000 British pounds per season, according to The Rugby Paper in England.
The contract offer is unconfirmed but the publication is known to break transfer news and Folau wrote last week in his own online column that "there have been rugby offers from the UK, Europe and Japan that are way above anything I could earn in Australia."
Folau earns around $1.1 million a year in Australia and the Sale Sharks' offer would see him match Kurtley Beale's Wasps contract in 2016-17, which made him then the highest paid player in the English premiership.
A $NZ1.5 million contract would not be the biggest now, however, with former All Black centre Charles Piutau to be paid $NZ1.76 million a season with Bristol next season.
News of Sale chasing Folau didn't go down well with many Sharks fans and UK rugby pundits on social media and discussion boards.
That sort of backlash - and the reaction of Rugby Australia's sponsors to Folau's comments - will have no doubt scared off some previously interested suitors, but they clearly all haven't disappeared.
Israel Folau of the Wallabies. Photo / AAP.
NRL boss Todd Greenberg said recently Folau's religious views wouldn't be acceptable in rugby league but has said since, repeatedly, he wants the former Storm and Broncos star back in the 13-man game.
Folau has made it clear he will not back down from his beliefs, however, meaning a return to league by the 29-year-old could put Greenberg's conviction that diversity "can't be just words on a wall" under a serious examination.
The money on offer in rugby - Sale's offer is around double what a top-line centre could get in the NRL - would point to Folau remaining in the 15-man game.
The Rugby Paper even suggested Folau could earn command in excess of $2 million a season, mostly likely in France.
While Folau has always been a cleanskin, Japanese rugby clubs are extensions of corporate brands and they're notorious for turning away players with histories of public drama and controversy, even DUI convictions.
Rugby Australia have hit pause on their contract talks with Folau while the inclusivity-vs-freedom of speech debate rages on.
Folau is believed to be keen to stay in Australian rugby, with the World Cup next year a big carrot with his wife Maria due to play in the netball World Cup for New Zealand next year, too.
Whether Rugby Australia will change strategy on their contract negotiations with Folau remains to be seen, however.
Folau's marketing value to the code is undoubtedly reduced after the last month and, allied with sponsor's views, that could easily have an impact on the size - and length - of RA's contract offer.
Folau is expected back on the field for the Waratahs after a hamstring injury against the Blues on Saturday week at Brookvale Oval.
