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Controversial ex-Wallabies star Israel Folau announces return to Australian rugby league
An unapologetic Israel Folau says he has no regrets about his controversial religious views as he aims to resurrect his sporting career via a Gold Coast rugby league club.
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The code-hopping footballer announced on Friday he had signed a deal to play the remainder of the season with Southport Tigers in Gold Coast’s A-Grade competition.
If the Queensland Rugby League approves Folau’s registration it would be the first time since 2010 the former Queensland State of Origin and Australia representative had played rugby league in Australia.
After 91 NRL appearances for Brisbane and Melbourne, Folau made a switch to AFL expansion team GWS in 2011-12.
He then joined rugby union in 2013 and made 73 test appearances for the Wallabies before his contract was terminated by Rugby Australia in 2019 after saying “hell awaits” gay people in a social media post.
“I tell you what I do stand for. As a Christian, I stand by the Bible and what the Bible says, every written word that’s written in that book, I stand by that and that’s all I’ll say about that,” Folau said about his social media posts.
“I’m just happy to get back on the field and play … at the moment I’m just excited about joining Southport and playing alongside my brothers, that’s something I’ve never done in my career.”
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Folau’s latest move has the backing of mining magnate and former politician Clive Palmer, who is the patron of the club.
His mining company Mineralogy is sponsoring Folau’s move and the outspoken businessman is expecting the QRL to approve Folau’s registration in time for a clash with Burleigh Bears on May 29.
“I’ll be very surprised if he’s not registered, and I certainly would support him 100 per cent with all the funds, all the resources, all the skill that I possess to ensure that he’s treated fairly, like all Australians,” Palmer said, promising he’d take legal action if Folau’s registration is knocked back.
“Make no mistake about that. My commitment to Israel Folau to ensure that he can play football again is rock solid.
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“I would pledge every cent, every dollar, and every waking moment of my time to ensure that he takes the field again.”
Former All Blacks captain Kieran Read has revealed he contracted COVID-19 while playing for Toyota Verblitz in Japan’s Top League.https://t.co/dfVNefYzpB
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) May 20, 2021
Two of Folau’s brothers, John and Eni, already play for the Tigers and Palmer says it was their suggestion which opened the door to the 32-year-old’s decision.
Folau refused to speculate on whether his overall ambition was to return to the NRL, with St George Illawarra having already aborted a bid to sign him after an intense public backlash.
After reaching a legal settlement with Rugby Australia following his sacking, Folau joined French-based Super League club Catalans.
Palmer said any claim to compensation from Catalans was void as they had failed to honour the terms of Folau’s contract with the club.
Palmer also dismissed concern Folau ‘s signing would bring scorn to Southport.
“Let’s go to the game. Let’s see what the fans say,” he said.
“Bring the cameras down, it will be a fantastic time …. everyone will be happy, hopefully, except the Burleigh Bears because we’re going to beat them.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Thanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
6 Go to comments