Israel Folau insists his missing next month's Spring tour will help the Wallabies in the long run rather than dent their new-found momentum.
Australia coach Michael Cheika confirmed on Sunday that Folau would take up an option in his contract to skip the end-of-year tour after playing every minute of the Wallabies' and Waratahs' 2017 campaigns.
The Daily Telegraph is reporting that Folau is giving up a $A500,000 ($NZ560,000) 12-week contract so he can spend quality time with Kiwi fiance and Silver Ferns star netballer Maria Tutaia.
It said that the Wallabies fullback has turned down a deal to play in Japan with the Panasonic Wild Knights. According to the paper, Folau would have earned $A42,000 each time he turned out for Robbie Deans' side over the summer.
Australia have been undefeated in their past five matches, including Saturday night's drought-breaking Bledisloe Cup win over New Zealand in Brisbane.
Folau has been crucial to the Wallabies' resurgence, having scored in all but one of the wins to take his tally to 12 tries in Tests this year - the most prolific season ever by an Australian, AAP reported.
But he maintains his absence will be the best result for the team in the future.
"From my personal point of view I think the momentum will continue to build," Folau said.
"I'm sure whoever gets the opportunity to play at fullback I'm sure will do a great job.
"This is the best thing for me at this point in time. Hopefully next year when that opportunity comes around again, I can give a bit more to the team."
This year has easily been Folau's best since arriving from the AFL in 2013.
Had he toured, he would have conceivably been within reach of the record 17 Test tries scored in one year held by Japanese flyer Daisuke Ohata (2002) and All Blacks legend Joe Rokococko (2003).
But he said he wasn't tempted.
"When I step out to play the game I'm not thinking about breaking any records," he said.
"It would've been nice for me to get the opportunity to do that but for me the most important thing was taking the time off to freshen up and get away.
"This is my first proper break since I started playing (in the NRL) in 2007."
Meanwhile, Folau said he had not yet discussed the prospect of playing away from fullback in Saturday night's match against the Barbarians at Allianz Stadium.
Cheika flagged the move on Sunday, as the Wallabies go in search of a replacement No.15 for their clashes with Japan, Wales, England and Scotland next month.
Karmichael Hunt is considered the leading candidate for the spot, given he plays there for Queensland.
"He brings a big presence there and he's an experienced player, he's got X-factor. He's definitely a player I'd consider for that role," Cheika said.
Other contenders include Kurtley Beale and Reece Hodge, who are both current starters and would leave vacancies at inside centre and on the left wing.
