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LEAGUE never stood a chance. While Israel Folau had fleeting thoughts about the offer presented to him by NRL clubs, his immediate affinity with union meant he wasn't going back even for the most enticing offer.
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"I feel like it would be a waste if I left the game after one year," Folau said.
"I feel like there is a lot more to tick off, so that's the reason I decided to go another two years."
Folau will remain in Australian rugby and at NSW Waratahs until the end of 2015, taking in the World Cup in England and Wales.
Asked if he had seriously considered a return to the NRL, Folau replied: "Not really, I had thoughts about it at times and spoke to my family about it but from the day I came to the Tahs and started playing rugby, I've really enjoyed it.
"It is really hard to leave after a year.
"At times I thought about it, but otherwise I enjoy the game of rugby."
Under the guidance of NSW coach Michael Cheika, Folau has flourished into one of the most damaging ball-runners in the game.
It was after the Super Rugby season was finished, a period that took in the historic British & Irish Lions series, Folau had made his mind up to stay, but had to wait for his management and the ARU to work out the finer details of top-up and third-party payments for his contract.
"Once the season was done, I kind of knew this is the game I feel I can take things to another level," Folau said.
"I'm obviously close with my parents and they were just happy for me.
"After that Lions series I really thought that 'This is it'."
All the stars aligned with Folau's defection to the 15-man game, given the Lions tour Australia just once every 12 years.
"That had a big part to play, I guess I came into rugby in the right year, with the Lions series on," he said.
"I'm just lucky to be a part of it.
"The hype around the series was huge, during that time it's something I hadn't experienced before, and something very exciting."
Now attention turns to Folau's future at the Wallabies, where he was largely restricted in the opening two Bledisloe Cup clashes compared to his usual lofty standards.
While he has played all five of his Tests on the wing for Australia it's no secret that he wants the fullback role.
"I enjoy playing fullback the most really," he said.
"Playing on the wing is good but my favourite position is playing fullback, there's just a lot more space and the range to come into line when you can.
"That's what I enjoy and how I feel I can play my best footy.
"With the Wallabies I'm happy to be on the wing, it's entirely up to the coaching staff to see if they want to make changes."
Folau added: "The All Blacks did a great job ... part of their tactics was to kick it to the opposite winger.
"But that's going to happen sometimes, I'm going to have to find ways to get myself into the game, and that's just getting partnerships and combinations with players inside me, mainly the No.9, 10 and 12.
"I'm going to have to start doing that at training and it will become second nature in games."
With Folau and Kurtley Beale now signed to NSW, halfback Nick Phipps coming from Melbourne and utility Jono Lance from Queensland, the Waratahs will field one of the best backlines in their history in 2014, and Folau believes they can finally win the Super Rugby title.
"That's the thing as a playing group we've got to try to engrave in ourselves, from day one of pre-season, we just need that self-belief," Folau said.
"If everyone gets that, and we work hard, I think we can go a long way.
"It's up to use as a group to determine that, but for myself I think we're a really good side and we can do a lot of good things."
As for his own progress, Folau was unequivocal.
"I really want to nail the game, I feel like I'm just getting started," Folau said.
"I don't know how many games I've played, maybe 16 or so, so there is a long way to go.
"I'm very excited about that."
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