Fullback Israel Folau will undergo surgery for an ankle injury he sustained during Australia's run to the Rugby World Cup final.
Folau injured his ankle in the Oct. 3 group win over England and missed the quarterfinal against Scotland — the only test he has missed through injury since switching to rugby union in 2013.
He returned for the semifinal win over Argentina and the loss in the final to New Zealand and, despite being obviously hampered, finished the tournament as Australia's leading runner in terms of meters gained.
The Australian Rugby Union on Thursday said Folau would be sidelined for three months and would undergo a rehabilitation program in Sydney before the 2016 Super Rugby season, when he will return for the 2014 champion New South Wales Waratahs.
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