Ricky Stuart fears rugby union will swoop on Folau if NRL contract talks aren't finalised
Dean Ritchie
The Daily Telegraph
November 14, 2012 8:20PM
ISRAEL Folau could be lost to rugby league if the NRL doesn't fast-track his contract negotiations with Parramatta, frustrated Eels coach Ricky Stuart said yesterday.
Parramatta and the NRL have worked together on registering Folau's contract under rugby league's salary cap for a fortnight - but cannot reach a resolution.
The two parties held further discussions Wednesday morning - just as Stuart took Parramatta's first training session to declare his club was "punching our heads against a brick wall".
"It'd be disappointing for him (Folau) to go to another code," Stuart said.
"I've been working hard - as has the club - with the league to have him play here but we seem to be punching our heads against a brick wall.
"We're trying to do the right thing by the game and by the league in being transparent ... it would be just nice to get people in positions to make decisions.
"I just know it's getting quite boring and tedious in terms of taking so long, I just wish someone could make a decision, say yes or no and then we can move on."
Stuart stressed his club wanted Folau and the former AFL star wanted a contract with the Eels.
"It's been a long time, it's been messy and a bit tedious so I am now concentrating on what I have here (at training)," Stuart said.
"I said early in the piece that we'll move heaven and earth to get Izzy to the club because that's where he wants to play.
"He's come out and said that, he's from here (western Sydney), he's got a number of close mates here, but it's been a long time so I don't know where it's going to end up."But I can't concentrate on that anymore. I have to worry about our first day at training and the future. All my energy and responsibility has to be pushed into the team here.
"I have been talking to Israel. He is in a good frame of mind, he's OK.
"He is very anxious for it to happen but there's just not a lot happening."
The NRL yesterday held talks with Eels CEO Ken Edwards and club recruitment and development manager Peter Nolan.
Interim NRL chief executive Shane Mattiske said the Folau deal had to comply with the game's salary cap.
"We've been in discussions with Ken Edwards and Peter Nolan about how Parramatta might contract Israel Folau and in particular how they could comply with the salary cap rules," Mattiske said.
"We met with them again (Wednesday) and worked through their questions in a positive discussion. We have given them greater clarity about how they might structure their contract that conforms with the existing salary cap rules."
Mattiske denied his organisation was stalling on the issue, reminding fans the Folau deal was secured late in the year.
