Israel Folau: Why cross-code star remains committed to his fight to play in the NRL

Israel Folau hasn’t given up hope of securing an NRL lifeline and has been spotted training in Brisbane to ensure he is ready if an opportunity arises.

Israel Folau is still hopeful of securing an NRL deal. Picture: Catalan Dragons

Israel Folau has not given up his fight to play in the NRL this season and the controversial cross-code star is “training his guts out” in hope that he can still secure a late opportunity.

With the kick off to the new season only two weeks away, teams will be having their final pre-season trials this weekend while Folau remains in Brisbane training solo.

But while most of the spotlight in Queensland in recent weeks has centred on Cameron Smith’s possible return after he was spotted doing some training on his own, sources have indicated Folau, 31, hasn’t taken his foot off the gas either, and is confident that he will still find a club willing to take him on.

For that reason, Folau is said to be doing everything in his power to make certain he is physically ready if that opportunity does present itself.

Meanwhile, Folau’s representatives have been in ongoing dialogue with the NRL to seek further clarity on the governing body’s position.

It has been suggested that several clubs have privately indicated some degree of interest but at this point it’s also understandable why those clubs have chosen not to say anything publicly given the backlash that put an end to St George Illawarra’s attempt to sign him.

Dragons coach Anthony Griffin said at the time of his club pulling the pin that Folau “still has something to offer”.

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Israel Folau has not given up the fight to play in the NRL again. Picture: Catalan Dragons

There is no question from a pure football perspective Folau would represent good value at the reported $400,000 it would take to sign him. Folau is also still seeking a clearance from French Super League club Catalans, which has not arrived.

Catalans has previously indicated that it would not stand in Folau’s way given he is asking to remain in Australia for compassionate reasons.

It is expected Catalans will also seek some sort of transfer fee before agreeing to his release.

Of course, that can’t happen until an NRL offer is on the table.

Which is the catch-22 from Folau’s perspective.

Folau’s representatives have reached out to the NRL to try to arrange a meeting but the NRL has maintained a position that there is no need to meet at this point because no club has made an application.

What is clear is that the Folau remains committed to exhausting every possible line of inquiry.

Israel Folau is training on his own in Queensland. Picture: Getty Images

It is fair to say the rugby league public and clubs in general remain divided over whether the soon to be 32-year-old, who last played in the NRL in 2010, deserves another chance.

Some club sources have suggested Folau’s controversial religious views, while not to be condoned, should not be the reason he is not allowed to return to the game.

There are others who have privately said point-blank they would not be interested, while also indicating the game would be better off without him.

One club boss told The Daily Telegraph recently: “I am so glad that he doesn’t get a chance to sh** on the game again”.

But in a recent News Corp online poll an overwhelming 66 per cent of a significant 18,402 votes were in favour of allowing Folau back, with only 34 per cent against the idea.

Originally published as Israel Folau: Why cross-code star remains committed to his fight to play in the NRL