NRL: Open season for Folau as Broncos contract lapses

BRISBANE: It's open season on in-demand Israel Folau after the young Brisbane star declined to take up a contract option with the club for the 2011-12 NRL seasons.

Folau, though, hasn't told Brisbane he is leaving the club or, if he is, where he is heading.

By allowing his option to lapse, the explosive 21-year-old Test and Queensland State of Origin representative is a free agent and open to all offers from all clubs in all codes.

Brisbane officials refused to confirm yesterday whether Folau - linked last night to a A$3 million ($3.8 million) AFL offer and also firmly in the sights of rugby's expansion club the Melbourne Rebels - had taken up his option for the next two seasons.

But it's believed he let the option expire, which effectively means his contract with the Broncos becomes null and void.

When Folau signed his multi-year deal with Brisbane in 2008 the club had not appointed a coach, which is why he was able to have an option for the last two years written in.

Once the deadline was reached at 5pm yesterday, he automatically voided any ties with Brisbane beyond this season.

That doesn't mean he can't strike up another deal with the Broncos should his other options fall through.

- AAP