Sacked rugby union star Israel Folau seeking a return to the NRL

Sacked Wallaby Israel Folau is reportedly trying to sway the NRL into welcoming him back to the game — and clubs are interested.

Israel Folau is reportedly looking to return to the NRL.

Israel Folau could reignite his sporting career in the NRL by offering unprecedented vetting of his social media activity.

The Daily Telegraph reports Folau is aiming to return to the NRL, but it could come at the cost of his religious convictions.

In a bid to save his rugby career, Folau offered Rugby Australia the chance to view all his future religious social media posts before publication, and undergo specific training with a religious leader, but he was ultimately sacked and lost his $5 million, four-year contract.

Live stream the 2019 NRL Telstra Premiership on KAYO SPORTS. Every game of every round live & anytime on your TV or favourite device. Get your 14 day free trial >

It is understood Folau would offer the same concessions to the NRL if it changes its stance and allows him to return to the game in which he made his name.

However the NRL is maintaining a hard line stance and Folau would not be considered for registration while his controversial Instagram post on homosexuals and other sinners remains posted to his social media accounts.

Former rugby league player Jimmy Smith believes it would take a backflip from the NRL to get Folau back in the 13 man game.

“He tested the waters oversees and got a luke warm response,” Smith told Bill and Boz.

“It would be a massive backflip from Chairman Peter Beattie, who outright has said he will not be welcome in the NRL”

Israel Folau was unstoppable. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Beattie has twice publicly denied the NRL would consider an offer from Folau to return to the game.

“Israel Folau doesn’t pass our inclusiveness culture, which is a policy strongly supported by the ARLC,’’ Beattie said.

“And after talking to some commissioners, we don’t support him playing rugby league again.’’

Beattie told The Australian on Wednesday morning the NRL’s stance had not changed.

“Our position on Israel Folau remains the same,” Beattie said.

“We are an inclusive game with a respect for all. Israel has social media posts online that go against what our game stands for. As it stands, he will not be considered for registration.

“What Israel chooses to do in relation to his social media posts and his faith is a matter for him.”

NRL CEO Todd Greenberg has had a firm stance on players and their use of social media in the past.

“All our athletes have to be careful,” Greenberg said of Folau’s comments.

“There are young boys and girls who will read that (anti-homosexual posts) and find it hard to deal with because Israel has a large profile. That would not have been his intent, but it is very damaging to some people.”

Folau’s sacking has been referred to the Fair Work Ombudsman by a senior senator who suggested Rugby Australia may have broken the law in its treatment of the star fullback.

The devoutly Christian athlete was fired last month after a tribunal found him guilty of a “high-level” breach of the governingbody’s code of conduct for posting on social media that “hell awaits” gay people.