PARRAMATTA Eels legend Nathan Hindmarsh has called for the NRL fellowship to abandon concerns about code hopper Israel Folau and focus on rugby leagues bigger issues.
In Wagga yesterday spreading Christmas cheer to unsuspecting shoppers, the former international second-rower said he was not bothered by Folaus decision to sidestep a return to the NRL in favour of a rugby union contract.
While he freely admits he contemplated a code switch during his 15-year career with the Eels, Hindmarsh said he had made no judgment of Folau.
(A code-switch) did cross my mind, yeah, he told The Daily Advertiser yesterday.
I dont think I ever did consider it. It was only for a short time but obviously Israel has made his decision and thats it.
Weve got a lot more players and teams that we need to be focusing on for 2013 rather than just sitting around wondering what Israel Folau is doing.
Folau was in talks with Hindmarshs beloved Eels before signing with Super 15 club NSW Waratahs this week, ending his two-year stint with AFL franchise GWS.
Despite this, the former Eels capatin said Folau was cut out for rugby union.
I think hes obviously got some talent, hes still young, Hindmarsh said.
He didnt make it in AFL, or we dont know if he would have made it in AFL but well see how he goes in rugby union.
I think he will make it in rugby union, but from what I know hes only signed a one-year deal there.
Whether or not he decides to come back to the NRL or the ARU decides to snap him up, well see.
Hes a great get for the Waratahs, and I think he will attract a fair few viewers.
Meanwhile, Hindmarsh was greeted by gushing fans in Wagga yesterday as he handed out gift vouchers to families and shoppers just in time for the holidays.
A self-confessed secret Santa, Hindmarsh was one of a handful of ex-NRL stars spreading Christmas cheer by doing random good deeds across the country.
Its an NRL inniative just to give back to the community ... its always good to give back to the people that support our game of rugby league, he said.
The NRL has gone out to a few rural areas. We were in Bathurst the other day, I think Petro Civoniceva was in Gympie (yesterday) and the NRL teams all start next week in their local areas.
