ARU pulls Israel Folau from Super 15 match against Waratahs’ wishes
The Australian Rugby Union has taken the extraordinary step of pulling Israel Folau from the New South Wales Waratahs’ match against Western Force on Saturday, overruling the Sydney-based team’s medical advice on their explosive fullback.
The Australian Rugby Union has taken the extraordinary step of pulling Israel Folau from the New South Wales Waratahs’ match against Western Force on Saturday, overruling the Sydney-based team’s medical advice on their explosive fullback.
Waratahs coach Michael Cheika recalled Folau to the starting side for the Perth clash after the 25-year-old missed two weeks to recover from a throat injury.
This is a player welfare issue, which has been the focus of all medical staff involved in this difficult decision
The decision to withdraw Folau was made by the ARU’s chief medical officer Warren McDonald, the union said in a statement posted on the Waratahs’ website on Saturday.
“Advice from our medical specialists is that Israel’s throat injury hasn’t healed to the point where it’s in his best interests to return to play tomorrow night,” McDonald said on Friday.
“This is a player welfare issue, which has been the focus of all medical staff involved in this difficult decision, and we’ll continue to work on the plan for his return as soon as possible.”
The ARU said McDonald took “all medical advice” into consideration, including from external specialists.