NRL boss Peter V’landys on Israel Folau returning to league

Amid calls for Israel Folau to be welcomed back into the NRL, league boss Peter V’landys has given his take. Check out what he had to say on the controversial star.

Israel Folau played for the Broncos in 2010. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty

ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys has left the door ajar for Israel Folau, saying the governing body will “consider” any application for the controversial code-hopper to return to the NRL.

The push for Folau to be given a second chance has gathered fresh momentum after three captains — Daly Cherry-Evans, Ben Hunt and Alex Glenn — urged V’landys to resurrect the dual international’s NRL career.

Folau, currently living in Brisbane after being overlooked for the Catalans Dragons squad for this year’s Super League, has been shopped to the Broncos, who insist they have made no formal approach.

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The Dragons held talks with the most polarising figure in Australian sport last month, only to withdraw interest when news of their pursuit sparked public outrage.

Folau was sacked by Rugby Australia in 2019 for his homophobic comments, but he subsequently received an estimated $4 million payout and at 31, the former Bronco hasn’t given up hope of a return to the NRL.

The litmus test will come if an NRL club makes a formal application to the ARL Commission for Folau’s reinstatement in the coming weeks and months.

V’landys on Friday made it clear he will not prejudice Folau’s case, saying the ARLC will not make a definitive assessment until approached by an NRL club, giving the ex-Wallaby a glimmer of hope.

Peter V’landys says Israel Folau’s registration will be considered “like any other person”.

“If some NRL club wants to put an application in for Israel Folau, that’s when the questions (of him playing NRL again) will be really answered,” he said.

“I don’t know if we can say for sure he will be registered because no NRL club has submitted an application for him to be considered.

“If someone wants to sign Israel Folau, the Commission will consider their application.

“At the moment, it’s hypothetical until (an NRL club) comes forward.

“Israel Folau will be given every opportunity like any other person.

“We believe in due process.”

News Corp understands a number of NRL clubs are watching the Folau situation closely. At least one club has had informal high-level talks about throwing Folau a lifeline, but are wary of the reputational damage and possible loss of multimillion-dollar sponsorship deals.

The NRL has a history of giving second chances to troubled players, having registered stars who were convicted felons for a range of offences from domestic-violence to grievous-bodily harm matters.

Israel Folau celebrates a try with the Broncos.

In November 2019, V’landys lashed Folau, saying his homophobic comments were “not inclusive”. Now, as ARL Commission boss, he is keeping an open mind.

“If an NRL club wants to sign Israel, they will have to lodge a contract and they would have to seek registration. The Dragons did neither of those things,” he said.

“I believe in recent days Israel has been left out of the Catalans Dragons squad so maybe there is an opportunity for an NRL club.

“I don’t know what his contractual situation is with Catalans.”

Brisbane skipper Glenn said he would relish the prospect of Folau returning to the Broncos after he scored 37 tries in 39 games for the club in 2009-10.

“I would love to see him back,” Glenn said.

“Everyone makes mistakes and everyone is judging him about his opinions, but if you go back to his days playing rugby league he was unbelievable.

“If he was to come to the Broncos it would be unbelievable.

“He is still a striking force in my eyes.

“I know as soon as he laces up those boots it is natural habitat for him to go out there and rip up opposition.

“It would be unreal to get him back in the game. I don’t condone what he says but everyone has their right to voice their opinion. I don’t stand for what he says but I believe he shouldn’t be judged for the rest of his life by what he says.

“He was one of the best in the game before he went to AFL and when he went to rugby he was ripping it up. His talents are there. I would love to see him back in a rugby league jersey at the Broncos.”

BIG NAMES BACK PUSH FOR FOLAU’S NRL RETURN

Queensland Origin skipper Daly Cherry-Evans and Brisbane’s Alex Glenn have led a chorus of NRL captains calling for the ARL Commission to let Israel Folau back into rugby league.

Folau’s future has taken an intriguing twist with the dual international having been left out of Catalans Dragons’ squad for the upcoming Super League season – potentially opening the door for an NRL comeback.

News Corp can reveal Brisbane figureheads have been offered the services of controversial code-hopper Folau to help spark a Broncos revival after the glamour club’s wooden-spoon finish last season.

The Dragons last month held high-level discussions in relation to signing Folau, only to withdraw interest following a fierce backlash when news of their pursuit became public.

Folau is currently living in Brisbane and his management have shopped the 31-year-old to a number of clubs, including the Broncos, in a last-ditch bid to resurrect his NRL career.

While Broncos coach Kevin Walters is a huge fan of Folau’s talent, Brisbane have not approached him at this stage, nor tabled a formal offer given the political complexities around his potential registration by the NRL.

Israel Folau played for the Broncos in 2010. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty

Folau was sacked by Rugby Australia in 2019 for his homophobic comments but speaking at the NRL’s season launch on Thursday, some of the code’s most respected stars urged ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys to put out the welcome mat.

“From what I have been told, Israel played great footy (for Catalans) so if he’s available for Queensland, why not bring him back to rugby league,” Manly and Maroons skipper Cherry-Evans said.

“I wouldn’t say no to Israel Folau lining up for Queensland again.

“Our game is a funny game, we’ve had some people do some pretty crazy things after the years and they have had some flexible second chances.

“I guess it’s how you compare what Israel has done compared to other cases in the NRL on what you think is bad and good (behaviour).

“Israel said what he said. I wouldn’t object to him coming back.

“I don’t condone what he has said, but if he wants to come back into the game as a player, I don’t have a problem with it.”

NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo has said the governing body will assess any formal application for Folau, who played 91 first-grade games before quitting rugby league a decade ago to chase a career in the AFL and rugby union.

Folau has a history with the Broncos.

He played two seasons with the club in 2009-10, scoring 37 tries from 39 games and it is that type of strike-rate that could help Walters bring the glory days back to the Broncos as he looks to snap a 15-year premiership drought.

Glenn said he would relish the prospect of seeing Folau back in Broncos colours, although that appears remote with Brisbane bosses mindful of the club’s multimillion-dollar sponsorship deals.

Brisbane skipper Alex Glenn would love to have Israel Folau back at Red Hill. Picture: Liam Kidston.

“I would love to see him back,” Glenn said.

“Everyone makes mistakes and everyone is judging him about his opinions, but if you go back to his days playing rugby league he was unbelievable.

“If he was to come to the Broncos it would be unbelievable.

“He is still a striking force in my eyes.

“I know as soon as he laces up those boots it is natural habitat for him to go out there and rip up opposition.

“It would be unreal to get him back in the game. I don’t condone what he says but everyone has their right to voice their opinion. I don’t stand for what he says but I believe he shouldn’t be judged for the rest of his life by what he says.

“He was one of the best in the game before he went to AFL and when he went to rugby he was ripping it up. His talents are there. I would love to see him back in a rugby league jersey at the Broncos.”

Newly-crowned Dragons skipper Ben Hunt said he was disappointed Folau didn’t arrive at the Red V this season.

“It’s a touchy subject but just looking at him as a footy player I was disappointed in that sense (that he didn’t sign with the Dragons),” Hunt said.

“I had two years with him at the Broncos and just to see the athlete he was and what he can bring to a team, you have to get excited about that.

“I think Izzy would be great (back in rugby league).

“Just his presence and talent on the field, if you put Izzy out there, the defence is already shaky before the ball is even kicked off. He is now a veteran and has been around the game for a long time and seen a lot of things.

“He would bring some knowledge to a dressing room.”