FOL’S GOLD

Dragons chief: That’s what we want from Israel...NOTHING else

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18 stop future “controversial signings”.

But he hit the ground running here on his resurrection in Super League – 10 years after his League career began Down Under, he returned to the code as if he’d never been away.

“That’s what we want from Israel, nothing else,” said Catalans Dragons coach Steve McNamara. “We have signed a very talented player and he showed that today. Everybody deserves a second chance.”

In his first rugby league match since leaving NRL side Brisbane Broncos for a stint playing Australian rules football in 2010, Folau lasted the full 80 minutes though his impact faded late on.

Folau is set to play in England for his Dragons for the first time when the French side go to Hull FC on March 1.

McNamara added: “There has been a lot of media attention on the club this week and I am pleased with the way the players went about their job. I hope we can move on now and just concentrate on the rugby.

“When I sign a player I judge him on his playing abilities, not on his religious or political beliefs.”

The world’s media descended on Stade Gilbert Brutus for this Super League clash – with all eyes on Folau.

Catalans raced into a 12-0 lead through a solo Sam Tomkins score and Folau’s try, which saw him leap highest to take an up-and-under from Josh Drinkwater, before diving over.

Derrell Olpherts ran 80 yards to get Castleford on the board, with Catalans’ Samisoni Langi and the visitors’ Cheyse Blair trading scores before the break.

But Tomkins and Fouad Yaha scored either side of Olpherts being sin-binned for blocking star man Tomkins.

James Clare pulled a try back for the Tigers, but Tomkins had the last say, dodging inside, evading several tackles before going over for his hat-trick.