NRL CLUBS ‘SCARED’ TO SIGN FOLAU
ISRAEL Folau concedes his dream of an NRL return may already be over because clubs are scared to go near the dual international.
The outspoken 32-year-old will at 5.30pm on Saturday make his debut for Southport Tigers against Runaway Bay in the Rugby League Gold Coast competition.
The Owen Park encounter will be a world away from the NRL or international rugby union stages he once dominated, but he has long harboured ambitions of a return to the elite level.
St George Illawarra in February briefly flirted with the prospect of signing the outside back before fan fury over his contentious religious views stymied any further talks.
Insisting he had “nothing to regret”, Folau, speaking in Brisbane on Friday, said that initial NRL talk has long since ebbed over concerns of the negative press.
“I still have a lot to give,” said Folau, who was famously sacked by the Wallabies in 2019 for saying “Hell awaits” gay people.
“I’m in good physical shape and if that opportunity comes along ... every athlete wants that opportunity.
“After the St George situation it was a high hill to get over (in terms of other clubs showing interest).
“Given my history a lot of the clubs
didn’t want to touch me. The interest has hit a dead end, really.”
Folau fought a war with his former club, Super League’s Catalans Dragons, in order to register his reported $250,000 deal with Southport.
Now he will have the chance to play alongside fellow exNRL player Tony Williams at the Tigers against the defending premiers.
“Talking to a couple of our teammates they know the players (in the Runaway Bay side),” he said.
“The approach to the game is going to be the same as if I was playing NRL, State of Origin or for the Wallabies.”
Folau announced a further shock on Wednesday when he confirmed a two-year deal worth $1.8m with Japan Top League rugby side NTT Communications.
Southport backer and colourful billionaire Clive Palmer, however, backed Folau to first do a job for the second-last placed Tigers.
“People should surely be judged on the merits of how they perform,” Palmer said. “He has no criminal convictions ... he’s a great example for young rugby league players.”
The interest has hit a dead end, really Footballer Israel Folau