Could Israel Folau be joining Brad Thorn at the Reds?

Israel Folau has reportedly spoken with former All Black Brad Thorn about potentially joining the Queensland Reds in 2019.

The Waratahs and Wallabies fullback's contract with Rugby Australia (RA) expires at the end of this year and Folau has been linked with a return to the NRL or a lucrative move to European rugby.

But the Daily Telegraph report that Folau has discussed a potential move to Brisbane with Reds coach Thorn, who played in tests 59 for the All Blacks and represented Australia and Queensland in rugby league.

GETTY IMAGES Reds coach and former All Black Brad Thorn.

The development has emerged after Folau's wife, New Zealand netball star Maria Folau, tweeted some dissatisfaction over his switch to the wing during the Waratahs' 24-21 loss to the Blues in Manly on Saturday.

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Talks between Folau and the Reds are said to be at a preliminary stage and that a number of obstacles would need to overcome to complete any shock move north.

GETTY IMAGES Folau's future is up in the air - and which sport he'll commit to.

Folau, 29, played five times for Queensland in State of Origin from 2008-10 before switching to Aussie Rules and then rugby in 2013. He also spent two NRL seasons with the Brisbane Broncos in 2009 and 2010.

RA are keen to extend Folau's contract ahead of next year's World Cup in Japan but there were no further talks on his future when he met Australian rugby officials last month to discuss his controversial anti-gay comments on social media which caused outrage.