Former NRL star Israel Folau set to line up for Southport in the Gold Coast competition
Israel Folau concedes his dream of an NRL return may already be over because clubs are scared to go near the dual international.ALL THE DETAILS >>
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ISRAEL Folau concedes his dream of an NRL return may already be over because clubs are scared to go near the dual international.
The outspoken 32-year-old will at 5.30pm on Saturday night make his debut for Southport Tigers against Runaway Bay in the Rugby League Gold Coast competition.
The Owen Park encounter will be a world away from the NRL or international rugby union stages he once dominated, but he has long harboured ambitions of a return to the elite level.
St George Illawarra in February briefly flirted with the prospect of signing the outside back before fan fury over his contentious religious views stymied any further talks.
Insisting he had “nothing to regret”, Folau, speaking in Brisbane on Friday, said that initial NRL talk has long since ebbed away over concerns of the negative press.
“I still have a lot to give,” said Folau, who was famously sacked by the Wallabies in 2019 for saying “hell awaits” gay people.
“I’m in good physical shape and if that opportunity comes along ... every athlete wants that opportunity.
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“After the St George situation it was a high hill to get over (in terms of other clubs showing interest).
“Given my history a lot of the clubs didn’t want to touch me.
“The interest has hit a dead end, really.”
Folau fought a war with his former club, Super League’s Catalans Dragons, in order to register his reported $250,000 deal with Southport.
Now he will have the chance to play alongside fellow ex NRL player Tony Williams at the Tigers against the defending premier.
“Talking to a couple of our teammates they know the players (in the Runaway Bay side),” he said.
“The approach to the game is going to be the same as if I was playing NRL, State of Origin or for the Wallabies.
Folau announced a further shock on Wednesday when he confirmed a two-year deal worth $1.8 million with Japan Top League rugby union side NTT Communications.
Southport backer and colourful billionaire Clive Palmer, however, backed Folau to first do a job for the second-last placed Tigers.
“People should surely be judged on the merits of how they perform,” Palmer said.
“He has no criminal convictions ... he’s a great example for young rugby league players.
“Once you’re on the football field it’s football that matters.”
“At Owen Park it will be a rare chance for Queenslanders to get a look at the world’s greatest rugby league player.”
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ISRAEL Folau is not the only big name former NRL star set to make his rugby league return on the Gold Coast this weekend.
Currumbin Eagles coach Matt Geyer has dropped a selection bombshell two days out from his side’s clash against fellow finals contender Tugun by naming Queensland and Australian representative Ben Hannant in his run-on side.
The “Polar Bear” is five years removed from his last NRL start for the Cowboys but at 36 promises he still has plenty to give, or he wouldn’t be pulling on the boots.
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“The reason I play the game of rugby league is I’m competitive,” Hannant said.
“No one plays to lose. I’ll only go out there if I’ve got something to contribute and help and mentor.”
He lamented retiring before the new six-again rules introduced to the NRL last year, which he says would have suited him perfectly.
“I love it – I wish I was born a few years later and playing right now,” Hannant said.
“It suits the blokes that have good engines. I wasn’t the fastest player, but I could go all day.”
Hannant’s motivations to return are two-fold.
With his sons playing their first season of footy at Currumbin, and having watched the club culture develop under NRL greats Peter Gill and Geyer, he feels it’s the right time to give back to the game and community that gave him so much.
“I’m a Gold Coaster. I grew up here, born and bred and I’d love to do what I can to give back and be connected,” he said.
“I love the local footy because it reminds me of where I started and how I got to where I did.
“I love the Coast, and until my body won’t let me do something I’ll keep having fun and doing my part.”
Hannant also plans to use his footy return to build his fitness base ahead of blockbuster boxing bout, revealing he has a December date booked to fight John Hopoate.
Hannant was a late call-up for the inaugural All Stars Fight Night in February and far from disgraced in his points decision defeat to Maroons prop Josh Papalii in Townsville.
That fight whet the appetite of the 245-game NRL great and pushed him to pursue further avenues in the ring, starting with Hopoate.
“It’s time to get into shape for my boxing fight – I’ve got Hopoate in December” Hannant said.
“I’m in no rush to get in shape right now, but it’s probably time to start.”
“I’m not in great shape, so it’s going to take a few weeks,” he added.
“I’ve had a bit of a holiday since fighting Papalii.”
“But to me it’s just about being part of it and to help add to the great culture (at Currumbin).”
Geyer has built a young, talented team at Galleon Way and Hannant’s intellectual property will be an invaluable asset to the group.
“I’ve never known a front-rower’s game,” the former Melbourne Storm playmaker said.
“He’s a man of great substance and the impact he can have on our young players and our culture is even more so than what he can do for us on the field.”
In an added boost to the Eagles, they are also expected to welcome back former Canberra Raiders rake Glen Buttriss for the crucial clash with Tugun.
10 Coast players not named Israel Folau to watch this weekend
ISRAEL Folau will make his long-awaited Southport debut this weekend when the Tigers host reigning premiers Runaway Bay at Owen Park on Saturday night.
It looms as a pivotal game for both teams with the jostle for finals placings well and truly on.
All eyes are understandably on Folau ahead of Round 9 - but he’s not the only star in action this weekend.
Here are 10 players not named Israel Folau who the average Gold Coast footy fan should get to know as finals time fast approaches >>>
Glen Buttriss – (Hooker, Currumbin)
The former Canberra Raiders fan-favourite has had an instant impact since joining the Eagles this season. His experience has been invaluable for coach Matt Geyer’s young brigade and Currumbin is a much better team with him out of dummy half.
Jakob Smith – (2nd row, Currumbin)
The cat got out of the bag when Smith crossed for a hat-trick in Currumbin’s upset win over premiership favourites Burleigh a few weeks ago. Matt Geyer had kept the young back-rower out of the spotlight but after his matchwinning performance he’s now on everyone’s radar.
Brock Hamill – (2nd Row / Hooker, Southport)
Southport’s do-it-all man remains one of the best, most consistent players on the Gold Coast. A promising junior career and push for an NRL berth was curtailed by his cancer diagnosis a few years ago, but Hamill has returned better than ever and will be a key figure if Southport is to crack the top four this season.
Taine Tuaupiki – (Fullback, Burleigh)
By now everyone on the Coast knows how damaging Burleigh’s livewire fullback can be. The Coombabah SHS product has flourished with more minutes in the number one this season and, an early season ankle injury aside, has made every post a winner to this point for the finals fancies.
Allan Lockwood – (Winger, Burleigh)
Lockwood’s consistency at A-Grade level was rewarded by the Bears with an Intrust Super Cup berth earlier this season. He’s one of many Cup-ready players at coach Matt Foster’s disposal and remains one of the most consistent finishes in Coast footy.
Zac Beecher – (Winger, Tugun)
The Seahawks’ centre is having a season to remember at the midpoint of the campaign, as he leads all players with seven tries in as many rounds. The Seahawks have built a profile of defence-first football but in Beecher, they have a potent finisher who can put points on the board when the team needs him to.
Joe Joshua – (Fullback, Runaway Bay)
Jack Mackin’s knee injury in the opening game of the season looked a devastating blow for the reigning premiers – and it was. But Joshua has stepped in to fill the void and did so with aplomb. In Bay’s last outing, a 60-10 rout of Currumbin, Joshua ran in a hat-trick of tries to show his devastating playmaking ability.
Queille Murray – (Winger, Runaway Bay)
The towering Seagulls winger has had a modest try-scoring start to the campaign by his standards, but has shown glimpses of the incredible athleticism that has made him one of the scariest outside backs in Coast football. With all eyes on Folau’s high-flying prowess on Saturday night, it’s Murray’s chance to prove his worth against one of the world’s best.
Tahne Robinson – (Tugun, Five-eighth)
One of the best game managers in Coast footy, Robinson knows when to hold ‘em and when to fold ‘em. When the Seahawks need some playmaking brilliance he delivers most every time, highlighted by his hat-trick heroics earlier in the season. And when they need a steadying hand through the middle to calm a game down, he can do that too. A deadly-eye from the tee, his 64 total points leads all-comers.
Alan White – (Helensvale, Halfback)
White was a massive get for the Hornets on the eve of the season and he’s remained one of their best and most consistent players through a tough start to the club’s A-Grade debut. With Queensland Cup credentials to his name, White is one of the best ball playing halves in Coast footy and it’s through his hands or boot that the Hornets’ tries are often built on.
Brent Barnes – (Helensvale, Fullback)
Barnes leads the Hornets in tries with four on the season and was one of Helensvale’s best in the last-start loss to the finals-bound Seahawks. The Hornets may still be without a win in their maiden A-Grade campaign but with the White/Barnes combination starting to fire, they could have their first triumph soon.
Originally published as Former NRL star Israel Folau set to line up for Southport in the Gold Coast competition
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