Israel Folau has dominated in his first game in his return to rugby in Japan’s League One, scoring two tries in Shining Arcs Tokyo-Bay Urayasu’s thrilling 24-23 win over Kobelco Kobe Steelers.
In the opening match of the season, Folau, whose Wallabies career was infamously terminated in 2019 for homophobic views, was in vintage touch at fullback, in his first professional rugby union match in over 1000 days.
The 32-year old, who is hoping to return to international rugby for Tonga after World Rugby changed their eligibility laws in late 2021, took less than 15 minutes to announce his arrival in Japan, storming through opponents Kobe Steelers for Arcs’ first try of the match.
He would then prove the match-winner in the 76th minute, scoring a trademark scoring after a trademark leap over two opponents to give Arcs the lead.
Between the tries, Folau’s running game was as impressive as ever, leading commentator and former Wallaby Drew Mitchell to note: “It must be said, Israel Folau, looking pretty impressive in his first game back in a number of years.”
Since departing the Wallabies, Folau had made a return to rugby league, featuring for Catalans Dragons in the English Super League as well as Clive Palmer’s Southport Tigers in the Queensland Cup.
Folau’s efforts saw Arcs take a 24-17 lead late, only for the Steelers to threaten to win the match after a last-gasp try from scrum half Daiki Nakajima.
However, fly-half and former All Black Aaron Cruden would miss the conversion, allowing Folau to start a winner.
Israel Folau runs during his first game in Japan’s League One. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe/Getty Images)
Folau’s return has already impressed his Arcs teammates, with fellow former Wallaby Liam Gill claiming he will soon be ‘considered one of the best in the world again’.
“Izzy has just picked up where he left off,” Gill told Fox Sports.
“He hasn’t really left anything behind in his time off.”
Folau’s contract, reportedly worth $500,000, carries with it a clause that he will not post religious messages on his social media account.
piru
Roar Rookie
on the field, israel folau is the best full back in the modern era australia has had..period. Well that's just nonsense Matt Burke and Chris Latham were both far better FBs
Peni
Guest
You know how to tackle that’s why he is the best he can tackle he can try from anywhere on the field..
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Yep Folau definitely had a flying start but Damian McKenzie's was far superior, with his dazzling 25 points.
numpty
Roar Rookie
Alpha male :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Snappy retort doofus
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Thats what was reported at the time. ( Well it came out a bit later )No big instant payout but a continuation of his payments. Whether that was full amount or not who knows but them.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Tom, if the fleece suits????
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Well thats a neat pile of cliche garbage. You subscribe to theories cooked up by fanatics and yet i am a sheep?
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Much better to wage your culture war on the imagined foes in the illuminati… hilarious that the consumption of real media is now mocked by those who get their ideas from conspiracy crackpots and religious zealots.
jcmasher
Roar Rookie
Nope. Not sure what that's leading to but was born in NZ
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
Well do the Christian Brothers represent them? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexual_abuse_cases_in_the_Congregation_of_Christian_Brothers
stillmissit
Roar Guru
TomG, you are not unique or even slightly interesting. Your views are all taken from the SMH/Guardian/ABC/CNN/NYT etc etc. You and others like you are sheep, or maybe more like a dog on a leash. You have no natural thinking about the world and just love others to think for you. The only thing I fail to grasp is how you put up with being the plaything of others ideas.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Israel’s faith was demonstrated in untold volumes of his posts, his faith is shared with untold players. Fiji sing hymns after or before a game, players have crosses drawn on their arm bands, they gesture to the sky after a try, teams form prayer circles after matches… I could go on. The narrative that Isreal was persecuted for his faith alone, and not those few posts, needs to ignore all this. You even go on to list a whole bunch of players who demonstrated they share his faith but we’re not persecuted. How do you come to the conclusion it was his faith, and not the handful of posts that are in question that was the problem, when there are an overwhelming number of examples of Christian faith being demonstrated and celebrated?
Brian Westlake
Roar Rookie
What do they represent then??? Ham sandwiches???
Tom G
Roar Rookie
I’m guessing that isn’t the only thing you’ve failed to grasp on this and many other issues
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Stillmissit.. does the “it” refer to the point
jameswm
Roar Guru
Maybe because he’s one of the best handful of players in the world.
jameswm
Roar Guru
?? If ordered, it’s not that hard.
GentleGeorge
Guest
jcmasher, we’re you born in Capetown, Mississippi or the Eastern Suburbs? Just asking
aussikiwi
Guest
The case which settled for a substantial sum was a claim under the Fair Work Act.