Dual-code international Israel Folau has taken just four minutes to put himself on the scoresheet in Japan Rugby League One on his return after a nine-month absence.
The former Wallaby – who scored 37 tries in 73 Tests for Australia, and a then-Super Rugby record 60 tries from 96 appearances for the NSW Waratahs – was quickly back among the points in Miyagi on Saturday as his club, Urayasu D-Rocks, beat NEC Green Rockets Tokatsu 31-28 in the Division Two decider.
A high ball ricocheted off the head of an opponent and bounced up perfectly for Folau to sprint away to the corner untouched from near halfway.
It was the 34-year-old’s first appearance since July 14 when he was part of a Tonga team coached by ex-Wallaby backrower Toutai Kefu that beat Australia A 27-21 in a non-cap international in Nuku’alofa.
Folau’s try gave D-Rocks the perfect start, and while they fell behind by 10 midway through the first half, had recovered to lead 22-18 at halftime.
The steady boot of five-eighth Hikaru Tamura, who kicked 16 points, including the match-winning penalty goal, secured the win for Urayasu.
Folau, who made his name in the NRL with Brisbane and Melbourne and also played AFL with Greater Western Sydney, took Japan Rugby League One by storm when he arrived two seasons ago – scoring 10 tries in 12 matches for the then NTT Shining Arcs.
Injury has since blighted the controversial code-hopper’s career, wrecking his chances of appearing at a second Rugby World Cup, after he suffered a knee injury on his return to the international scene.
Folau’s contract with Rugby Australia was cancelled in 2019 over his widely expressed views on a range of social issues, including homosexuality, citing his religious viewpoint.
Rather than being a launch pad for a new career – having met World Rugby’s ancestry requirements to switch from Australia – Folau’s debut for Tonga has proved his only appearance to date.
Dualcode
Roar Rookie
Tonga would love to have him again depending on how much he has left in the tank.
Footy Franks
Roar Rookie
Castle lost all the sponsors anyway. As they say going woke makes you broke
Tom G
Roar Rookie
And they are just as welcome.. btw no door to door salesman has ever been presumptuous enough to tell me how I should live my life
Brett Allen
Roar Rookie
Sure you have, all the time. Are you telling me you’ve never had a door to door salesman try to sell you something or someone representing a charity looking for donations ?
Leachy
Roar Rookie
2023 was all on Eddie a shocker of a year.If Folau played it would have been worse. He cant kick pass or tackle. Cheika had 3 of the 4 worst Wallaby seasons over the last 20 years. His Randwick mate had the other one.
Reds Harry
Roar Rookie
Folau treated the RA and Australian rugby very poorly. He gave his word he wouldn't do something, then did it. Folau treated his team mates with contempt. Folau allowed his smug uncaring lawyers to weaponise religious zealots against rugby people in this country, regardless of the damage, then walked away with millions, as did his lawyers.
Purdo
Roar Rookie
To comment on the video at the top of the article: it appeared to me that Izzy just lazily cantered to cross in the corner. I think with a bit more effort he could have scored closer to the posts. It also seemed like the defender in green was not putting up much of an effort, either. I suppose that's to be expected in a lower level game such as this one.+
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Well, I have never, ever had an atheist knock on my door believing they are entitled to take up my time talking to me about their beliefs that is for sure.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
I don't know you personally, so how would I know what you have and haven't read? In my experience, I have encountered plenty who have no idea what lies beyond the covers of the book they live their lives by, preferring to have it explained to them by a guy in a special building who quotes it to them periodically. To be honest, I seriously don't care what you hold dear as a personal faith. It is entirely up to you. However, if you are a devout Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Jew, Buddhist, Mormon, or even Scientologist it is clear that you have made a personal lifestyle choice to follow that belief. What Folau was ignorantly suggesting was that LGBT people are sinners and somehow have made a choice. We know they don't, so how can they be expected to repent for just being born the way they are?
Tom G
Roar Rookie
I think you'll be waiting a long time for the response to that. :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Brett Allen
Roar Rookie
Why should churches be taxed ? If you and a bunch of your mates got together and pooled some of your income, that you’ve already paid tax on, to be spent on a common purpose that you believe in, should that be taxed ?
Brett Allen
Roar Rookie
I never mentioned the Wallabies, I said RA.
Brett Allen
Roar Rookie
And what part do you believe I haven’t read ?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Kind of ignores their results when Folau was integral part of the team.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Define substantial. There’s been a wildly varied amount reported so you have no clue what the settlement was. I do know that organisations all the time make settlements because ending the matter can be better for them than it dragging on. What we do know is that when put to an Independent panel, where RUPA chose one member, and agreed to the second member of the three, they ruled he’d breached his contract.
KenW
Roar Rookie
Yeah it works though. I always tell myself I won't even click on an Izzy article, then I'll just click but definitely not comment, then there's just something so juicy and silly I can't help myself. Suddenly I'm 10 responses....
Gepetto
Roar Rookie
Do you think rugby Australia paid a substantial settlement because they couldn't afford a trial. I am tempted to quote Ricky Stewart at this point.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
:laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Sadly won't be the last...every "Christian" holiday has an Izzy fever dream article. Gets the hymn singers all ginned up.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
If anyone believes that the Wallabies recent failure is due to Israel Folau's absence or divine retribution, then they know nothing about Rugby and even less about life