UPDATE: ISRAEL Folau says family and career prospects will be the decisive factors as he contemplates a switch to the Queensland Reds next season.

The Waratahs fullback is understood to be close to signing off on a deal to defect north, although it will be after NSW has completed this Super Rugby season.

“It will come down to a number of things, obviously family and where I’m at, at this time in my career,” Folau said.

“I’m not even thinking about it at the moment.”

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Israel Folau could be wearing a Reds jersey in 2019. Source: News Corp Australia

“I know there’s rumours going around, but not from my end in the sense of my management taking control of that.

“It’s a bit of white noise in the background but nothing to worry about from my end.”

“There’s no timeline, obviously, so I’m just going to take my time and see what’s best for me in the end.

“There’s so many options, from my point of view, that I’ll have a look at once the season comes to an end but at this stage just thinking about the game on the weekend.”

Folau has been in talks with Reds coach Brad Thorn for some time, although the Tahs are still trying to convince him to stay in Sydney.

Folau is hoping he won’t be playing his final match for the Tahs this Saturday at Allianz Stadium in their quarter-final against the Highlanders - who knocked them out in the playoffs in 2015 at the same venue.

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Highlanders halfback Aaron Smith started the mind games by saying NSW - who lost to the Brumbies last weekend in Sydney - would have their backs against the wall for this match.

“It’s going to be a lot of pressure on them to front up at home and then it’s about us trying to take our opportunities,” Smith said.

Folau said his team is ready to bounce back and defeat the Otago side for a spot in the semi-finals.

“It’s do-or-die from here on in, so the guys will do everything they can from here on in within training to leave nothing unturned before we go out there on the weekend,” Folau said.

“They’re a smart side, they’ve got guys like Aaron Smith and [Lima] Sopoaga, they can expose you with the space that’s provided. They’re not afraid to play with their attacking game and kicking game.

“We’ve got a structure and plan in trying to limit that, and hopefully we can execute the game plan.

“[Rival fullback Ben Smith] is good in the air with the ball, if you can limit the opportunities, probably kicking away from him as much as we can and starve him of possession it’s probably a good way to keep him out of the game.

“But he’s a great player who’ll seem to find his way with ball in hand so it’s a team effort where we’ve got to really take control of that and be on, across all areas of the game.”