If Israel Folau wishes to play in the 2016 Olympics, Waratahs teammate Nick Phipps can’t imagine how the superstar fullback could be blocked from spearheading Australia’s hopes in Rio.

Sevens coach Michael O’Connor is understandably reluctant to simply parachute Wallabies stars into what’s become a highly specialised game.

O’Connor wants the likes of Folau to be involved, but is keen for all players to commit to 12 months on the Sevens circuit in order to be considered for the historic Olympics team.

If that’s the case, the busy international schedule will force players into making big sacrifices one way or the other.

Phipps, a former Sevens star determined for a shot at gold in rugby’s Olympics debut, said potentially choosing between Test and State honours and going to Brazil would be a “massive” decision when the time came.

The NSW halfback understands the difficulties the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) faces in balancing 15-a-side World Cup ambitions in 2015, with preparations for the Sevens in Brazil.

But either way, he believes a place must be found for freakish talent Folau if he wants to go.

“Hopefully things will clear up by then and then we can make our decisions and be able to talk about it a bit more,” said Phipps.

“But you can’t really imagine they’d be leaving a player like Izzy Folau out if he did want to play Sevens. You never really know where it sits.”

Phipps’ enthusiasm for Sevens is indication of how persuasive the allure of a gold medal could be, with the ARU understood to be looking at the Wallabies’ and Sevens’ programs and how they can make them work side by side.

“I’d love to play Sevens again. I love the game, I love the way it demands so much out of you and I love the toughness you’ve got to have,” he said.

“If given an opportunity to play Sevens again, I’d love it but there’s a lot of varying factors.

“There’s a lot getting nutted out at the moment.”