NRL’s first openly gay player slams St George Illawarra Dragons’ mind-blowing’ move

The NRL’s first openly gay player has slammed the Dragons’ “mind-blowing” decision to pursue the signature of Israel Folau.

Catalans Dragons fullback Israel Folau.

The NRL’s first openly gay player has slammed the St George Illawarra Dragons’ “mind-blowing” decision to pursue the signature of former Wallaby Israel Folau.

In a bombshell report from The Sydney Morning Herald, it was revealed the Dragons had made a major move to recruit Folau back into the NRL.

The Dragons board has reportedly given the green light to go ahead with plans to recruit Folau, who would likely play in the centres if a contract was ratified.

Watch Live & On-Demand coverage of NRL pre-season trial matches on Kayo. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial now & start streaming instantly >

Folau hasn’t played in the NRL since leaving the Broncos in 2010 and in 2019 had his contract with Rugby Australia torn up for making homophobic comments on social media, bringing an end to his illustrious Wallabies career.

Israel Folau of Catalans Dragons.

Speaking to The Sydney Morning Herald, former NRL star Ian Roberts explained the impact Folau’s return would have on the Dragons and the broader Australian sporting community.

Roberts represented the South Sydney Rabbitohs, Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles and North Queensland Cowboys during his 13-year career in the NRL.

He came out as gay in 1995, becoming one of the first high-profile Australian athletes to do so.

According to the report, Roberts met with NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo to express his concerns about Folau’s potential return.

“At what point did someone at the Dragons think it would be a good idea to invite this s***storm into their club?” Roberts said.

“And that’s what it will be. You are welcoming this hurricane of offal. I would’ve thought the board and the coach could look at their position in rugby league, because this is about more than winning or losing.

“It’s about the actual fabric of the game. Who thought this was a good idea? It’s mind-blowing.

“People don’t understand the effects of homophobia and the consequences. People in the LGBTIQ community know it because it’s our reality.

“We’ve all lost friends to suicide. For any kid out of the suburbs now dealing with sexuality in a negative way, and self-harm is a reality, this s***storm is deadly.”

Former North Queensland Cowboys player Ian Roberts.

READ MORE: Tragic past of Wally Lewis’ new flame

READ MORE: Folau agrees to social media backflip

Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) chairman Peter V’landys has previously said Folau’s views on homosexuality were not welcome in the NRL.

“The game is inclusive. Israel’s comments are not inclusive,” V’landys said in October 2019.

“When I was a kid and kids used to get bashed up because they were different, I used to go and defend them. And a lot of them, it’s because their role models or their peers made them that way.

“I have no tolerance for people that put other people’s lives (at risk) or (who 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.”

— with James Matthey