Israel Folau to make debut for Southport Tigers on Saturday night

Israel Folau will make his return to rugby league for the Southport Tigers alongside friend Tony ‘T-Rex’ Williams.

Israel Folau at a Southport Tigers training session. Picture: Getty Images

Israel Folau will make his return to rugby league on Saturday night for the Southport Tigers. Folau, having received a clearance from French club Catalans to return to the code, will make his debut for the Tigers against Runaway Bay.

It’s a far cry from his halcyon days playing for the Wallabies. Or even the Brisbane Broncos and Melbourne Storm. Yet Folau’s appearance in the Gold Coast A grade competition comes after a concerted campaign from billionaire businessman Clive Palmer, who is believed to be paying the dual international more than $200,000 for his cameo stint.

Folau has already agreed to head to Japan at the end of his Southport commitments to resume his rugby union career.

“I’m extremely happy for the club,” said Palmer, who is the Tigers patron.

“I applaud the QRL in making the right decision in registering Israel so he can return to the game he loves. Israel remains one of the best players in the world, and I am sure the large crowd that turns out to support the Tigers this weekend will be treated to some exciting rugby league.”

Former Australian and Tongan representative Tony Williams will also make his debut for the Tigers at Owen Park in Southport.