2:25pm, 11 October 2018

Israel Folau is close to signing a three-year deal to remain with the Waratahs and in Australia.

New South Wales Rugby boss Andrew Hore said a deal with Folau was “imminent”, while Wallabies coach Michael Cheika hopes for the paperwork to be completed this week.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported that a three-year deal to stay with the Waratahs is the likely outcome, though an official agreement has not been reached.

“I don’t know where it’s going to finish exactly, I hope it’s going to get finalised this week, but we’re keen for him to stay as close as he can for as long as he can,” Cheika told Fox Sports earlier in the week.

“We’ve invested now in him and you can see his versatility in the game now where he’s able to move from position to position even in a game and I think he’s still getting some of the ropes.”

Hore said the Waratahs were also close to retaining Wallabies No. 10 Bernard Foley, who is likely to re-join on a one year deal and head overseas after the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

116-Test veteran Adam Ashley-Cooper may also be coming back to the club after a three-year stint overseas. The 34-year-old is currently with the Kobelco Steelers in Japan.

“Adam Ashley-Cooper has expressed an interest,” he said. “We think in a year such as a World Cup year, where depth is going to be important, that we can see merit in Adam coming back. Everyone speaks very highly of his character and leadership is a valuable asset.

“Those discussions are live so we will see where that goes.”

The Wallabies will next play later this month, when they head to Japan for the third Bledisloe Cup Test against the All Blacks.

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