Controversial cross-code footy star Israel Folau has been blocked from making a return to the NRL.
The 37-year-old was believed to be in talks with the Wests Tigers in relation to making a stunning return – but new reports have suggested the club has said no.
Folau played two seasons for the Melbourne Storm before moving over to the Brisbane Broncos in 2009.
He played his final NRL match in the last round of the 2010 season before making a move to the AFL.
Earlier, it was claimed the superstar could join the struggling club from Urayasu D-Rocks in the Japanese rugby competiton on a train-and-trial contract.
‘I mentioned an exclusive story involving one of the most controversial, gifted and talked-about figures in Australian sport. I can now reveal the identity of the athlete is Israel Folau,’ 2GB Sports Reporter Spiro Christopolous told Ben Fordham.
Israel Folau (pictured playing for the Melbourne Storm) has been blocked from returning to the NRL
Folau (pictured) hasn’t played an NRL match since 2010
The 37-year-old (pictured playing for the Catalans Dragons) did play league for the side back in 2020
‘It’s my information today that he’s been shopped around to at least one club in the National Rugby League – that being the Wests Tigers,’ Christopoulos added.
‘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.’
For Folau to make an unlikely return to the 13-made code, he would need to be registered by the NRL – an act the code was unwilling to entertain back in 2019.
Folau’s four-year, $5million Rugby Australia deal was torn up after he refused to delete an Instagram post quoting Bible verses that said homosexuals and other sinners would go to hell.
And then-ARLC chairman Peter Beattie swiftly blocked any attempt to return to the NRL afterwards.
‘Our position on Israel Folau remains the same,’ Beattie said at the time.
‘We are an inclusive game with respect for all. Israel has social media posts online that go against what our game stands for.
‘As it stands, he will not be considered for registration. What Israel chooses to do in relation to his social media posts and his faith is a matter for him.’
Folau’s AFL stint saw him play for the Greater Western Sydney Giants as a marquee player in the side’s first season.
Despite the highly-publicised code swap, he took part in just 13 games for the Giants in 2011 and 2012 before switching to rugby union.
The former Wallaby made a brief return to rugby league in the English Super League with French club Catalans Dragons back in 2020.
Folau has played 91 NRL games.
He has also been part of State of Origin series wins in his five appearances for Queensland and has represented the Australian Kangaroos on eight occasions.
