Wallabies fullback Israel Folau should recover in time from ankle surgery to play in the NSW Waratahs' Super Rugby season-opener against Queensland on February 27.
The Australian Rugby Union confirmed on Thursday the star fullback would go under the knife, after he struggled through the World Cup after injuring his ankle against England.
Folau, who missed his first ever game through injury for the Wallabies against Scotland in the quarter-final, still amassed 366 metres in the tournament, more than any other Australian player.
Regardless of whether he returns in Round 1 for the Waratahs, the surgery will still come at a price given the dual-international will now miss a lucrative stint in Japanese rugby.
If Folau is unavailable for the start of the Waratahs' season, it may open the door for fellow rugby union convert, Reece Robinson, to play at fullback.
