Folau '50-50' chance to face Springboks

Mon, Sep 3, 2018, 6:50 AM
Sam Phillips
by Sam Phillips
Wallabies superstar Israel Folau is in a race against the clock to be fit to take on South Africa on Saturday night. The fullback still recovering from an ankle injury sustained in the opening Bledisloe.

Israel Folau is eager to emulate the miracle recovery of former Queensland Origin teammate Cooper Cronk and guide the Wallabies to victory against the Springboks on Saturday.

Cronk underwent around-the-clock treatment to line up for Queensland in Game One of the 2016 Origin series, after badly injuring his ankle during training at Sanctuary Cove the Friday prior.

The Wallabies are using the same base ahead of the clash with South Africa and just as Cronk recovered to steer his side to victory, Folau is hoping he can emerge from treatment with the same result and line up against the Boks on Saturday night.

"It's coming along well," Folau said.

"I've been doing my rehab over the last couple of weeks.

"It's progressing well and we will just take it day by day and then see where it goes from there.

"It's good to be back in camp with the boys and back in the environment."

Folau started running on Friday and rates himself a 50-50 chance of playing, but he will only do a limited amount of team training this week.

"I guess I will know more as the week goes on but today will probably be the second day where I will get out to go there and have another crack and see how it feels again," Folau said.

"I'll start off with the medical team and get my rehab running in terms of change of direction and all that sorts of stuff.

"Then whatever they feel I can do with the team I will go in there and do."

The conversation surrounding Folau may focus on the field this week but questions still remain about his playing future.

His wife Maria was recently granted an exemption to ply her trade in Australia next year but has not put pen to paper with a Super Netball club.

Reports indicate the 31-year-old is set to sign with the Giants - who are based in western Sydney - and Folau is also expected to sign with the Waratahs in a new three-year deal.

There was strong speculation earlier in the year that Reds coach Brad Thorn was close to recruiting the Wallabies star to Ballymore.

But the star fullback said the pair were not necessarily a package deal when quizzed on Monday.

"We'd both like to be in the same state and it would make things easier but being athletes it's something that doesn't always go that way," Folau said.

"Maria and I have been doing that for the last three years now and we know at some stage our careers will come to an end.

"Then all those things - we won't have to worry about them anymore.

"There are so many options that I'm working through with my management and when I feel comfortable and I'm ready.

"There is no timeline to it.

"I'll come out when I've made the decision and let everyone know."

The Wallabies face the Springboks at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday, kicking off at 8pm AEST, broadcast LIVE on FOX SPORTS, Channel Ten and RUGBY.com.au radio.
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