New rugby league chairman, no Israel Folau reprieve

Peter V’landys backs the code’s stance on Israel Folau while also reassuring Sydney clubs.

Australian Rugby League Commission Chairman Peter V'landys and NRL Chief Executive Todd Greenberg. Picture: AAP

ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys has used his first press conference to provide some reassurance to Sydney clubs and back the game’s stance on exiled former rugby league star Israel Folau.

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V’landys, who succeeded former Queensland premier Peter Beattie as chair on Wednesday, also claimed that referees were the biggest issue currently facing the game and described suburban grounds as one of his more immediate challenges.

The chief executive of Racing NSW, V’landys was hand-picked by Beattie to be his successor and promised to take a lower profile than his predecessor.

He quickly provided music to the ears of Sydney clubs, some of whom have been under fire amid a call for a second team in Brisbane. While V’landys acknowledged the game needed more content in Brisbane, he said it wouldn’t come at the expense of a Sydney club.

“There will be no team in Sydney or Queensland that will be relocated,” V’landys said.

“If we pursue expansion, it will be a new franchise. Every brand of club in Sydney or Queensland is secure. We are not looking to relocate anyone.

“We will stress that. I can tell you from around the table there is no team that will be moved or relocated.”

Beattie took a strong stance on Folau, ruling out a return to rugby league in the wake of his sacking by the Australian Rugby Union for a series of messages on social media.

V’landys backed that stance and insisted there was no way back for Folau unless he changed his ways.

Israel Folau. Picture: David Swift

“Totally agree with Peter Beattie and the commission’s decision,” V’landys said.

“As I said the game is inclusive. The comments of Israel are not inclusive. Israel has to understand he is a role model. As a role model, he has a duty. When I was at school and kids used to get bashed up because they were different, I used to go and defend them.

“I have no tolerance for people who put other people’s lives into violence or whatever. With due respect to Israel, young kids listen to it. He is a role model. Rugby league is inclusive. So I am not in any which way reversing or looking at the decision of Israel Folau.”

Asked whether there was any way back for Folau, V’landys replied: “Not under the current circumstances. You have to understand Israel Folau hasn’t played rugby league for 10 years. At this stage, I can’t see the commission changing their view. This game’s greatest asset is that it brings communities together, it brings us together.”

V’landys played rugby league in Illawarra as a child and made no attempt to hide his love for suburban grounds.

Suburban grounds such as Leichhardt Oval are an immediate priority for V’landys. Picture: Brett Costello

“Everyone knows my love for tribalism and suburban grounds,” V’landys said.

“We want suburban grounds and we want to have the must-haves … all the things customers want. We will be looking very hard at suburban grounds and how do we fund suburban grounds.”