Rival coach questions whether Israel Folau 'circus' has negatively impacted Southport's playing group

The $250,000 man was powerless to stop his new club's massive loss to the Burleigh Bears on Saturday night. LATEST >>

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CLIVE Palmer poked the Bear and the Southport Tigers were left to pay the price.

When the billionaire called out Coast rivals Burleigh earlier this month, he did so anticipating Israel Folau’s Southport debut would come in Saturday night’s clash at Pizzey Park.

At the May 21 press conference in Brisbane, Palmer declared he would spearhead the campaign to bring Folau back to rugby league with Southport, telling reporters any push back was likely a “beat-up” by the Burleigh Bears.

The insinuation was that Southport, bolstered by dual-international Folau, would usurp Burleigh as Rugby League Gold Coast premiership favourites. Instead Folau remained sidelined – the result of an ongoing tug of war triangle between he, his former club Catalans Dragons and the QRL – as Southport was thoroughly dismantled by the Bears on Saturday night.

Two players scored hat-tricks, a front-rower bagged a double and the Bears had 10 individual tryscorers in an 88-nil thrashing of the Tigers.

Southport conceded 15 tries in 80 minutes of football, leading Burleigh coach Matt Foster to question whether Folau’s potential arrival could do more harm than good to the Tigers.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - MAY 27: Clive Palmer and Israel Folau talk at Owen Park on May 27, 2021 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

“It was unexpected if I’m honest. Not on my team’s performance, (but) you don’t win 88-nil without the opposition not turning up,” Foster said.

Playing without its first-choice halves pairing and two best outside backs, Burleigh looked levels above a Southport side which the Bears coach said on paper should not have capitulated as it did.

“You can’t lose 88-nil and say that everything is good in the hood, if you know what I mean,” Foster said.

“There’s players in that team that are Queensland Cup fringe players. There’s players that have played in state comps in New South Wales.

“On paper that was a really good team. Teams don’t lose 88-nil unless there’s something in the mentality of it – whether that’s the whole circus that’s been going on that’s affecting them, I don’t know.

“I think it shows as well that the heartbeat of the club is strong,” Foster added of his side.

“Even when we do have a few injuries or people unavailable, the want and desire to play for each other is there and I think there was a massive divide between the two teams in that aspect alone.”

Foster questioned whether the $250,000 inclusion of Folau, as well as former NSW and Australian enforcer Tony Williams, would make enough of a difference to turn the Tigers around.

“I’m not sure two players, as good as they are – both world-class players – I’m not sure they are the answer to the problem that to me looked obvious last night,” Foster said.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - MAY 29: Israel Folau watches on during the QTOP A Grade QRL match between the Burleigh Bears and the Southport Tigers at Pizzey Park on May 29, 2021 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)

Palmer last week threatened the QRL with legal action if Folau was not granted permission to return to rugby league with Southport.

The governing body maintained it was up to Folau and former club Catalans Dragons to settle their contract dispute before the dual-code international could lace up for the Tigers.

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ISRAEL Folau's controversial bid to play rugby league on the Gold Coast has hit a snag - but he may still get the green light.

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However Folau's current deal with English Super League club Catalans is still valid, with the QRL admitting its hands are tied for now in terms of granting full confirmation.

Folau's lawyers have been notified of the decision.

Folau has opted to play for the Tigers after being offered $250,000 by billionaire mining magnate Clive Palmer, a Southport club patron.

He was hoping to play his first game for the Tigers on Saturday night against Burleigh, but a hurdle has arisen.

Despite Palmer's declaration that Catalans voided Folau's contract by not paying him, the Dragons insist he is still a contracted player.

"The QRL have not received confirmation that Folau is released from his existing playing contract, nor has he received a clearance from his last known registered overseas club," a QRL statement read.

Israel Folau at Catalans Dragons.

"The QRL cannot proceed with any registration approval until such time as the clearance is received – this is in accordance with current national policy regarding international clearances playing at any level of the game.

"On receipt of international clearance, Folau will be granted permission to register for the Southport Tigers at a community rugby league level and no higher, as per the registration request that has been made. 

"Any registration is subject to Folau confirming he has read and understood his obligations as a player under the QRL Rules, the QRL Code of Conduct and the Community Rugby League Terms and Conditions NRL Registration.

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"Should the registration proceed in compliance with these conditions, any breach of the code of conduct could lead to suspension, or the cancellation of the player’s registration, as it would for any other player."

The QRL also acknowledged the wide-ranging debate about letting Folau back into league.

"While the QRL acknowledges the differing views in relation to this application, the league is astounded that public commentary has included threats of protracted legal action should registration not be granted," the statement read.

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"As a not-for-profit organisation, the QRL’s objectives are to foster and develop the game in Queensland, and to generally take action that is considered to be in the best interests of rugby league in Queensland.

"With this in mind, the QRL Board has carefully considered all aspects of the registration request, in line with its current rules and processes.

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"The QRL acknowledge that previous social media comments made by Folau, whilst not a registered participant in rugby league at the time, do not align to the beliefs of the game, or the QRL.

"The QRL is an inclusive organisation with a proud diversity and inclusion framework."