Wallabies fullback Israel Folau has signed new deal with Rugby Australia - Reports

Wallabies star Israel Folau has committed his future to Rugby Australia until the end of 2022 according to reports by Fairfax Media.

It is understood that the 29-year-old has signed the four-year deal with the Wallabies and Waratahs sometime back but both the boards decided to delay the announcement following his anti-gay comments in April that sparked public criticism.

The deal also meant Waratahs have managed to avert Folau heading to Queensland Reds after their head coach Brad Thorn publicly expressed his interest in bringing the rugby league convert to his club.

Folau has featured in 69 Tests for Australia since his debut in 2013 and has been a vital cog in Waratahs' set up.

The news will be a big boost for Rugby Australia as they already managed to secure the services of skipper Michael Hooper and Allan Alaalatoa on five-year contracts.

David Pocock, Kurtley Beale, Jack Dempsey and Ned Hanigan are off contract post the 2019 World Cup while Bernard Foley has recently signed a one-year deal with the Australian board to stay committed with the Wallabies until the showpiece event next year.

After taking on New Zealand this Saturday at Yokohama in the third and final Bledisloe Cup clash, Australia will face Wales, Italy and England in their European tour.