FOLAU’S BIG UNVEILING IS ABANDONED
CATALANS have ditched plans to herald the arrival of controversial Israel Folau as the backlash to his signing continues.
The dual-code international arrived in Perpignan and met with his team-mates for the first time on Monday.
But Catalans have cancelled an open press conference with the 30-year-old and instead circulated an in-house video featuring the former Melbourne Storm and Brisbane Broncos player.
In it, Folau did not address any of the issues surrounding his social media posts that included one stating that “hell awaits” gay people.
Instead, he focused only on matters on the field, while the furore over his signing continues into a Super League meeting in Salford this morning that Dragons chairman Bernard Guasch is set to attend.
Several clubs have taken legal advice over potential loss of earnings from sponsors and through the turnstiles, while current and former players Keegan Hirst and Gareth Thomas (above) – who are gay – both condemned the move.
Folau said: “I’m excited to be back playing the game I grew up playing.
“It’s been 10 years since I last played league and I’m grateful for the opportunity to be part of a great organisation and a great team in Catalans.
“I missed that team camaraderie and team environment. Being able to train with the team and work alongside the coaches, that’s something I’ve missed in the last seven months.
“But it’s fantastic to be back and it’s going to be a great challenge.”
The Dragons must now decide whether to hand Folau his first appearance on Sunday at Wakefield.
Trinity have been one of the most outspoken clubs on the move, with chief executive Michael Carter saying his registration should have been refused and that his views are “abhorrent in a modern world”.
A home debut in Perpignan would appear more likely but coach Steve McNamara has been hit by injuries to key outside backs Tom Davies, Lewis Tierney and David Mead. Of the Folau signing, McNamara said: “We knew it would be controversial. As an individual, I stand by the club statement that Bernard issued on the signing of Israel.
“An opportunity arose after Brayden Wiliame left and we needed an outside back.
“We investigated a fair few players and Israel’s name was on that list. Having spent a lot of time speaking to him and understanding him a lot more, and getting reassurances, we made a decision as a club that we would support Israel and give him another opportunity in our game.”