HE spent two years stripping weight off his heavily muscled frame, but Israel Folau's first task when he returns to rugby league will be to hit the gym and put the bulk back on.
"He needs to put more weight on," Queensland coach Mal Meninga said. "He needs to get back in the gym and build his body up so he can take the knocks. It's a different type of fitness from the AFL. There's a lot more up and off the ground type of stuff he'll have to get back to.
"The tackling drills and practice he'll need to concentrate on again. I don't think his speed or hand-eye co-ordination will be affected at all. In our game you need the endurance and speed an aerobically fit athlete has, plus the agility, power and strength that a good rugby league athlete has.
"The demands of our week-in, week-out competition puts a terrific strain on your body. He'll need to get his physique back to the level that can cope with that.
"It won't be beyond him because he's got the talent to do that. He's been there, done that so he can handle it OK."
That said, Meninga has no doubt Folau will be a raging success should, as expected, he return to rugby league. Two years have robbed him of seven kilograms, but not his talent.
In fact, Meninga predicts Folau could became a better player than the one who departed for Greater Western Sydney at the end of 2010. That's a frightening thought given he was already an established member of the Queensland and Australian sides before turning his back on rugby league for the millions on offer in the AFL.
"So, if he can get back those physical attributes that are more specific to league, I've got no doubts about his talents," Meninga said. "He'll come back a better player. And maybe his work rate will be better. He's obviously missed it. But because the AFL is so more aerobic than rugby league, he will be light on his feet.
"He needs to return to more physical-based, strength-based training."
Newcastle coach Wayne Bennett believes it's clear that rugby league is Folau's sport.
"The good thing is he'll start the pre-season along with everyone else with whichever club he chooses and be right to go in 2013," he said. "We've had that many players go to other codes like rugby union and come back - Brad Thorn, Wendell Sailor, Mat Rogers and Lote Tuqiri. One thing about rugby league, we're not snobs.
"We may have all been disappointed with him at the time (he left) but that was just the sadness of him leaving."
While most in rugby league were delighted by Folau's imminent return, NSW coach Laurie Daley had every right to be cursing his luck.
Not so. Daley, who faces the challenge of stopping Folau in the State of Origin series later this year, admitted Folau's return was a fillip for the code.
Like Meninga, he suggested Folau would need to add some weight to his frame. He also suggested it would not be a major issue.
"He won't be doing much running in the off-season," Daley said. "In terms of putting the weight on, he will be in the gym. I'm not a sports scientist and I don't know how quickly it can be put back on, but I am sure he will be able to do it in a short time."
Additional reporting: AAP
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