Big Izzy could have signed with the Roosters, played Origin for Queensland and possibly won an NRL title.
The 26-year-old has instead opted to stay with the leather-patch brigade until the end of 2018.
He'll earn big bucks, travel the world with the Wallabies and Waratahs and have a well-paid holiday in Japan in the off-season.
Big Izzy would have been tempted to come home to rugby league, but we can exclusively reveal the 10 main reasons he opted to remain in rugby.
1. He won't have to tackle Bulldogs prop Dave Klemmer for at least another three years.
2. Because playing in Paris at Stade Francais every year beats Campbelltown Stadium.
3. Izzy walked away from the greatest State of Origin team in history in 2010 after just five games. The great man can see the tide turning and didn't want to be part of a losing Queensland team over the next three years ...
4. Because Wallabies coach Michael Cheika threatened him with the golf club he used to motivated the Waratahs before the 2014 Super Rugby final.
5. We know the great man doesn't drink but even a teetotaller would have to be excited by the beer vending machines in Japan.
6. He's played 29 Tests so in three years he should have played 60 and will still be eligible to play for the Wallabies if he decides to take the cash in Japan or Europe.
7. Manly centre Steve Matai will probably be retired by 2019 so if Izzy does decide to return to the NRL his ribs will be a lot safer.
8. He won't admit it, but Izzy is intimidated by our little mate The NRL Lurker and thought it safer to stay with his rah-rah mates.
9. He'll play just as many games in rugby union but the wear and tear on his body will be far less in rugby.
10. Who wouldn't want to lose to the All Blacks three times a year?
