Major hurdle in Folau’s way as bombshell NRL return firms

The Tigers are keen to have Israel Folau back in the NRL before June 30 - but have to convince the Australian Rugby League Commission that he is the type of person the code wants.

After 16 years out of the NRL, Folau is eyeing a return to the 13-man game at the age of 37.

Radio 2GB reports the former Wallaby and Kangaroo is keen to return the code for the Wests Tigers, with his agent making an approach ahead of the June 30 deadline. The the ARLC is the main stumbling block.

Sources within the Commission have told nine.com.au that they have reservations about Folau given his much publicised homophobic rants on social media throughout his career.

And the timing couldn’t be worse for Folau given the wave of support former NRL prop Kane Evans has received after coming out on Nine’s 100% Footy on Monday night.

“It’s a delicate one,” a source close to the situation told Nine.com.au.

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“Folau is keen, a couple of clubs are interested but obviously we need to look at the big picture.

“We will discuss the pros and cons in coming days - having a great athlete and international superstar like Folau would be a plus but he does have some baggage.” 

Folau has not played in the NRL since 2010 when he made the switch to then new AFL team the GWS Giants as a marquee player.

But the switch was not a success and after just 13 games, Folau moved to rugby union with the NSW Waratahs.

He played the recent rugby union season in Japan with Urayasu D-Rocks and is in great shape for a player his age.

Folau favours a move to the Tigers - but at least two other Sydney clubs are also keen to sign him. 

If he does sign a deal before June 30, Folau can play in the NRL this season.

“I’m told that Benji Marshall, the coach, has been approached by Israel Folau’s manager. There’s talk of a train and trial deal, which could be done as soon as the June 30 deadline,” Spiro Christopoulous reported on 2GB.

Folau made a brief return to rugby league with French club Catalans Dragons in 2020 but negotiated a release to return to Australia on compassionate grounds in 2021.

Folau played 91 matches over his four-year stint in the NRL, scoring 73 tries. He was one of the biggest stars in the game when he quit to join the AFL on a lucrative deal.