Israel Folau's potential return to the NRL has moved a step closer after his brother revealed that multiple clubs have expressed interest in signing the 37-year-old.
Brother Confirms Club Interest
Speaking to Channel 9, David Folau confirmed that "four or five clubs" have been in contact with his brother's management team. "Israel has a management team and they have received interest from four or five clubs and they have been great to deal with. It's just a question of sorting out a few details and hopefully a deal can be done," David said.
Earlier this week, 2GB's Spiro Christopoulos reported that Folau is looking to finish his career by returning to the NRL, the league where he first made his name as a star for the Melbourne Storm and Brisbane Broncos.
Controversial Past
Folau has been a divisive figure in Australian sport, particularly after making homophobic comments on social media that led to his contract with Rugby Australia being terminated in 2019. However, his brother believes those issues are now behind him. "Israel is older and wiser now and the great thing about league is we're a game of second chances — it's what we stand on as a community," David said.
He also pointed to Folau's recent form in Japan, where he plays rugby union for Urayasu D-Rocks. "I can understand the doubters but he just scored 16 tries in 20 games in Japan," David added.
Career Journey
Folau has not played in the NRL since 2010, when he left the Brisbane Broncos to join the AFL's GWS Giants as a marquee player. His AFL career was brief, managing just 13 games in 2011 and 2012 before switching to rugby union with the NSW Waratahs. The former Wallaby, who has also represented Tonga, made a brief return to rugby league with French club Catalans Dragons in 2020. He is currently playing rugby union in Japan.
Should Folau secure a deal, it would mark a stunning return to the NRL after a 16-year absence from the competition.
