He wears Waratah blue for a living but there's only one option for Israel Folau if the 'State of Union' concept gets off the ground - maroon. The Wallabies star is intrigued by talk of a rugby union adaptation of State of Origin, which could be launched in June to give the domestic game a much-needed mid-season sugar hit. Discussions are continuing around the match, which has been dreamed up by the Queensland Rugby Union and is now slated for Thursday, June 29 - a few days after Australia's third and final mid-season international against Italy in Brisbane. Folau played five times for Queensland in rugby league's State of Origin showpiece, but had never played rugby until he joined the NSW Waratahs in 2013. All five Australian Super Rugby franchises and the Rugby Union Players' Association have endorsed the concept.

Source: New Zealand Herald January 12, 2017 06:14 UTC