Brisbane have distanced themselves from reports they are keen to bring Israel Folau back to the NRL.
The Broncos were linked in media reports to a potential move to sign the former Wallabies winger after he reached an out-of-court settlement with Rugby Australia earlier this week over his wrongful termination claim.
Within hours of the reports being published on Sunday however, the Broncos issued a brief statement saying they had no intention of bringing the 30-year-old back to Red Hill.
“Contrary to media speculation, the Broncos have not been part of discussions of any kind with the player,” the Broncos said in the statement posted on their website.
“The club’s roster is settled for the 2020 season.
“We wish Israel well in the future.”
News Corp Australia reports Folau has been training hard to get himself fit for a preferred return to rugby league.
Folau’s sporting future is uncertain despite settling his claim with Rugby Australia relating to his axing over an infamous homophobic post on social media.
ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys has previously publicly insisted that a return to the NRL for devout Christian Folau would be difficult given his controversial stance on homosexuality is incompatible with the game’s ethos.
The News Corp Australia report claims Folau would be willing to allow the NRL to vet his future social media posts if it allowed him to move back to the competition.
Folau played for Melbourne and the Broncos in his four-season NRL career between 2007 and 2010 before switching codes to join expansion club GWS in the AFL.
He played 13 AFL matches for the Giants before joining rugby union in 2013 and going on to make 62 Test appearances for the Wallabies.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
I’m so tired of hearing about Izzy Foreal.. his used by date, much like his view on life is redundant
Birdy
Roar Rookie
That's very clever KK, gee I hope a lot of other roarers picked up on it.
Nat
Roar Guru
Aww isn't that cute. My little b!tch is trying to call me out. We've done this buddy and you lost and you obviously have nothing new to add. Call me a misogynist but once I've left you in a sticky mess I don't want to play with you again. I'm sure you're a pretty little thing though so someone will play with you. Xx
Blackfoot
Guest
Rugby Australia have been generous enough and paid him for the next 4 yrs , so perhaps he’ll pull on the boots FOC.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
After giving Lodge a second (or third?) chance the Broncos wouldn't have much of a leg to stand on to say they won't entertain the prospect of Folau if he wants a second chance given what he did is nothing compared to many current players especially Lodge. The difference is though that given Folau's admission he would do what he did again, and again, and again you can come to the conclusion he's too much of a risk. In this life remorse and agreeing to change will take you a long way.
kk
Roar Pro
"The club's roster is settled for 2020." Let us pray. Folau would be heavy duty and fitting him under the salary cap even with a generous TPA would require more than a 'Gee class' explanation.
Blackfoot
Guest
Ya gotta admit it though , another Pocock isn’t something the world needs.
Birdy
Roar Rookie
You ain't seen nothin yet. Pocock ,a wallaby and his wife have just declared they won't be having babies because it's bad for the environment.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Darius Boyd describes Lodge as a good bloke. Boyd is one of the game's "deep thinkers" so his comment carries a lot of weight. David Fifita's incident in Bali was a misunderstanding as well I suppose.
Blackfoot
Guest
The ludicrous hypocrisy is mind boggling isn’t it. The one that gets me is ..... Ya can’t smack your kids, as it’s now deemed to be child abuse , but a doctor can prescribe amphetimines for them at 5 yrs old , talk about irrational thoughts.
In brief
Guest
Only in Australia would it be ok to recruit a home invader but considered repugnant to recruit a practicing Christian. Independent, rational thought is definitely not a national trait.
Lovey
Guest
Danny Wiedler strikes out again.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
They might even make Izzy captain. Sounds crazy but his main competition is Lodgey and Darius. Oh wait, the Broncos are denying they are interested, that clears it up then..................
Rellum
Roar Guru
Yeah nah
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Ali Brigginshaw, the best halfback and ‘snot beater- outer’ at the Broncos, if she ever gets a crack, roomies.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
I don't think gambling & violence were on Izzy's "list of sins" so he would be a good fit at Brisbane. Playing the pokies & trips to New York & Bali with Matt Lodge & David Fifita respectively. What a hoot! Where's Nat with his response? Has an adult banned you from using the computer?
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
I could possibly tolerate the Broncos winning a title , even though the drought has been a lot of fun, but hearing Izzy declare the title was determined by someone up in the clouds, would be wayyyy too much.
Larry1950
Guest
Why would you set the lunatic religious fringe off now when things have finally quite need down?
Edward Kelly
Roar Guru
He is poison for any sport. Anyway he doesn't need to play sport again he has enough money to go preach his hate, biblical doom and fear of a imaginary hell for many years to small congregation of like minded souls with his dad.