Controversial code-hopping footballer Israel Folau is hoping to resurrect his sporting career at an amateur Gold Coast rugby league club.
The former rugby union and rugby league international has signed with Southport Tigers, who play in Gold Coast’s A-Grade rugby league competition with sponsorship from mining magnate Clive Palmer’s Mineralogy company.
The Queensland Rugby League will have to approve Folau’s registration for him to play in the competition however.
“It is clear that Israel is undoubtedly the world’s number one player,” Palmer said in a statement.
“He was unfairly punished and persecuted for his religious beliefs and it is only right that he should return to the game.
“We hope that the Queensland Rugby League will register Israel in accordance with the law.”
The 32-year-old returned to rugby league last year with French club Catalans after stints in AFL and then, more successfully, in rugby union.
St George Illawarra made a bid to bring the former Wallabies star back to the NRL earlier this year before abandoning the move after an intense backlash.
Folau hasn’t played professional sport in Australia since 2019 when his contract with Rugby Australia was terminated after he said “hell awaits” gay people in a social media post.
He subsequently took legal action and reached a settlement before joining Catalans.
The NRL said after the Dragons’ aborted bid that Folau’s path back to the competition would only come if a club made an official application for a contract.
Catalans, where Folau is contracted until the end of 2021, have indicated they will demand compensation if he signs with an Australian club.
A recent online petition from the Australian Christian Lobby garnered 12,000 signatures demanding Folau be allowed to play in the NRL.
Folau played 91 matches for Melbourne and Brisbane in the NRL from 2007 to 2010, representing Queensland and Australia, before signing with AFL expansion side GWS.
After 13 appearances for the Giants in 2012, Folau moved to rugby union, playing 73 Tests for the Wallabies from 2013 to 2019.
The Australian Christian Lobby renewed calls for the controversial footballer be handed an NRL lifeline following his failed attempts to rejoin the game.
J Jones
Roar Rookie
Ok, well I’ll leave you and Paulo to it, it is something between the two of you… If I can recommend one thing, and that is QI. It is a great show regardless of political allegiances or ideology… give it look it’s free on youtube… Have a good day…
Birdy
Roar Rookie
A lesson on how misleading google can be without the right questions. Cowardly way to communicate in your opinion or just a frustrated way in my opinion. You both " like "each others comments but Paulo doesn't click "reply "when answering mine. I find his replies by reading other replies.
J Jones
Roar Rookie
Began in 2003 with Stephen Fry, you may have it confused with something else… I’m sure Paulo will read it. – very cowardly way of communicating
Birdy
Roar Rookie
80's British tv show, I googled it and got that answer, Folau, distractions. I'm sure Paulo will read it.
J Jones
Roar Rookie
British tv show from the 80’s ??? wrong again Fallou ??? All those questions you just raised, better to point at the one you were conversing with....
Birdy
Roar Rookie
No I don't think I'll keep walking. I will admit I mistakingly jumped in too fast on a British tv show from the 80's thinking it was an abc or ch10 woke show you were referencing. Back to Fallou, I no longer give a rats what he said or who he offends. Look at what's happening today, kids in school making posters hating the police, white kids having to apologize to the school for being white, male kids having to apologize for being male. Don't say these are isolated instances, if you have kids of school age do you know what they are teaching? What is safe schools really? What is Critical race Theory? Have you noticed reverse racism going rampant on social media? Ridiculing any comment about believing in god or especially being christian? Woke and cancel culture banning books,people or organisations they DECIDE are wrong. Yeh ,rule by fear. So yeah if you want to slam dunk me for not having debating skills, go for your life, but don't deny my facts.
J Jones
Roar Rookie
Now now, assumption is the mother of all mistakes. You’d have been better off to just keep walking.
Birdy
Roar Rookie
Keep watching shows like that and you'll get your CCP membership points up real fast.
Birdy
Roar Rookie
30s germany
Birdy
Roar Rookie
As I said 1930s Germany not 40s.. In the 39s they infiltrated the education system, media and stifled religion. All this while creating a common ( made up ) enemy for all to hate ,Jews! Look at Hamas ,3500 rockets into civilian towns and people are on their side, well done media. Anyone who argued against that doesn't understand fascism .
Birdy
Roar Rookie
Well thought out comment, I can see why you get your Fs and your Rs mixed up
J Jones
Roar Rookie
oh you dumb boy… you were “preaching” (the act of trying to convince another by way of a longwinded monologue ) to me about the b/s of the bible because you didn’t realize (by not reading correctly) that I was a confirmed atheist… dumb dumb….
J Jones
Roar Rookie
Yes, it is very clear by your posts what you obviously missed of mine... (Helen Keller could see that) You're very well suited for League, don't look to Union - the subtleties and intricacies will be beyond your comprehension and attention span.
GregM
Roar Rookie
so I am preaching if I quote from the bible but you do not when you quote from it? J Jones J Jones Roar Rookie May 21st 2021 @ 6:41am Leviticus 18:22 You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination. Difficult to interpret that any other way
GregM
Roar Rookie
did I? so you know what i think do you? and reading how you are going on and on about it - who is the child? you will now sulk and hold your breath until you get your own way?
J Jones
Roar Rookie
you thought I was a Jesus freak, you didn't READ the thread correctly and now you're avoiding to admit you were wrong like a petulant child
J Jones
Roar Rookie
most good people acknowledge when they are wrong I guess you're not one of them
GregM
Roar Rookie
preaching? or posting quotes from the good book based on how people say Folau is being persecuted for his cherry picked beliefs?
J Jones
Roar Rookie
then how is it you managed to preach to me... a confirmed atheist
GregM
Roar Rookie
obviously i do read