Israel Folau eyes return to NRL while South African Super Rugby team say he is ‘not worth the risk’ of bad publicity after receiving a multi-million dollar settlement from Rugby Australia
- Israel Folau had his lucrative rugby contract torn up after sharing anti-gay post
- He made a $10m wrongful dismissal claim which he increased to $14m last week
- Rugby Australia said settlement was some way short of $8m reported amount
- He was rejected by South African super rugby team the Bulls due to the posts
- The former Wallaby is reportedly now trying to return to a career in the NRL
Israel Folau’s options for reviving his sporting career include a return to the National Rugby League or a move abroad to play rugby but one potential employer has ruled out a move for the ex-Wallabies fullback.
Folau has remained in training during his legal action against Rugby Australia which concluded last week with a multi-million settlement.
The sporting body had sacked him for a social media post including a biblical passage that said gays and other sinners would go to hell unless they repent.
While Folau said he was ‘vindicated’ by the lucrative settlement and apology from RA, his strong views clearly remain an obstacle to some rugby teams.
Alfons Meyer, the chief executive of the Pretoria-based Bulls of Super Rugby told Netwerk24 that Folau’s comments ruled him out as a potential recruit for the upcoming season.
Israel Folau (pictured) has been rejected by the South African super rugby team the Bulls, over his controversial comments regarding homosexuals
‘A lawyer approached us to hear if we are interested in contracting him,’ Mr Meyer said.
‘Initially I was excited but if you look at this matter with a sober mind then it’s simply not worth the risk. He is controversial and you’ll expose yourself by contracting him.
‘He is probably amongst the top two or three players in the world. If it wasn’t for his comments, we would have given our all to have him in the group.’
Outside of Super Rugby, Folau was likely to have suitors from European and Japanese teams to continue in the sport.
He has reportedly been training up to three hours a day in order to get himself in shape for an immediate return to the elite level.
On Wednesday Folau (pictured with wife Maria) received a multi-million dollar payout from Rugby Australia after his contract was torn up in May
The Sunday Telegraph reported some NRL clubs are interested in Folau, despite Peter V’landys – the newly appointed chairman of the Australian Rugby League Commission – publicly opposing his return to the sport.
‘The game is inclusive. Israel’s comments are not inclusive,’ Mr V’landys said before the legal action went in Folau’s favour.
‘I have no tolerance for people that put other people’s lives (at risk) or (commit) violence. It’s a big statement to make.
‘With due respect to Israel, what he says, young kids listen to. He is a role model. They act on it. And when you’re a kid at school and you get bashed up because you’re different, I don’t think that’s a good thing.’
Folau played four seasons in the NRL, with the Melbourne Storm and Brisbane Broncos, before a short-lived stint in the AFL and then a move to rugby union.
After he was sacked by RA, Folau made a $10 million claim for wrongful dismissal, which he increased to $14 million last week.
Both sides issued apologies on Wednesday after a rumoured multi-million dollar settlement, but Folau did not change his position on homosexuals going to hell.
After the fall-out, he thanked God alongside his 32-year-old wife Maria.
Folau is reportedly now hoping to make a return to NRL after he was sacked by Rugby Australia in May
It was initally reported that he walked away with a figure close to $8 million, but Rugby Australia disputed the sum, and other news reports have estimated an amount of $3-4 million.
He apologised for any ‘hurt or harm caused’ but did not step back from his original anti-gay claim.
By agreeing to an out-of-court settlement – the terms of which are confidential – the sport’s governing body has saved itself further crippling legal costs.
It had come under fire by some for sacking Folau over his religious beliefs.
While the case was ongoing Folau had made another inflammatory statement at his family’s church, linking the drought and bushfires to the legalisation of same-sex marriage and abortion.