Folau to skip Wallabies tour.

Israel Folau will miss Australia's end-of-season tour and will take a complete break from rugby after next weekend's clash with the Barbarians, coach Michael Cheika has confirmed.

Folau had the opportunity to play club rugby in Japan over the summer as part of his flexible contract with the Australian Rugby Union.

But after a discussion with Cheika several months ago, the 28-year-old fullback decided it was in his best interests to step away from the game completely - meaning he won't be involved in the Wallabies' test matches against Japan, Wales, England and Scotland to finish the season.

Before taking a break, Folau will suit up for the Wallabies against the Barbarians at Sydney's Allianz Stadium on Saturday night.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/98136237/israel-folau-to-take-complete-break-from-rugby-after-barbarians-clash

Good news for the opposition. Still, that's another top Australian player getting a decent break and pre-season (Pocock is on sabbatical). Meanwhile, Ben Smith is on sabbatical for the All Blacks.

Who is likely to play 15? He has hardly missed an Aussie game over the last few seasons.

sensisball wrote:Who is likely to play 15? He has hardly missed an Aussie game over the last few seasons.

Beale is the obvious option but there are some other permutations in the squad too.

In other squad news, flanker Jack Dempsey, who made a big impact in recent matches, had to be helped from the field in today's match against the Barbarians. Didn't see the incident but it could be an ankle injury which sees him miss the tour.

Lock Lukhan Tui also went down, so there could be two players out.

Edit: Early report says Dempsey out for 6 months. Rory Arnold also now a doubt.

Squad announced. Dempsey & Arnold are both out of the tour. Lui is injured, but expected to recover in time for the last two fixtures, so is included.

Forwards
Allan Alaalatoa (19 Tests, Canberra Vikings, 23)
Adam Coleman (18 Tests, Perth Spirit, 26)
Blake Enever* (uncapped, Canberra Vikings, 26)
Tetera Faulkner (3 Tests, Perth Spirit, 29)
Ned Hanigan (9 Tests, NSW Country Eagles, 22)
Michael Hooper (c) (75 Tests, Sydney Rays, 26)
Sekope Kepu (87 Tests, NSW Country Eagles, 31)
Ben McCalman (49 Tests, Perth Spirit, 29)
Sean McMahon (22 Tests, Melbourne Rising, 23)
Stephen Moore (125 Tests, Queensland Country, 34)
Matt Philip* (uncapped, Perth Spirit, 23)
Tatafu Polota-Nau (78 Tests, Perth Spirit, 32)
Tom Robertson (15 Tests, NSW Country Eagles, 23)
Rob Simmons (78 Tests, Queensland Country, 28)
Scott Sio (39 Tests, Canberra Vikings, 26)
Lopeti Timani (9 Tests, Melbourne Rising, 27)
Lukhan Tui (3 Tests, Brisbane City, 21)
Jordan Uelese (2 Tests, Melbourne Rising, 20)

Backs
Kurtley Beale (67 Tests, NSW Country Eagles, 28)
Bernard Foley (vc) (52 Tests, NSW Country Eagles, 28)
Will Genia (vc) (85 Tests, Melbourne Rising, 29)
Reece Hodge (20 Tests, Melbourne Rising, 23)
Karmichael Hunt (3 Tests, Brisbane City, 30)
Samu Kerevi (14 Tests, Brisbane City, 24)
Marika Koroibete (4 Tests, Melbourne Rising, 25)
Tevita Kuridrani (54 Tests, Canberra Vikings, 26)
Billy Meakes* (uncapped, Perth Spirit, 26)
Izaia Perese* (uncapped, Queensland Country, 20)
Nick Phipps (58 Tests, Greater Sydney Rams, 28)
Joe Powell (2 Tests, Canberra Vikings, 23)
Curtis Rona (2 Tests, Perth Spirit, 25)
Henry Speight (17 Tests, Canberra Vikings, 29)

Development Players
Jack Maddocks* (uncapped, Melbourne Rising, 20)
Liam Wright* (uncapped, Queensland Country, 19)