The letter that kicked off legal action between Israel Folau and the QRL

The letter that kicked off legal action between Israel Folau and the NRL accuses Catalans of activities tantamount to ‘blackmail’.

Controversial star Israel Folau and his backer billionaire Clive Palme Picture: Getty Images

Israel Folau won’t make his debut for Southport Tigers this weekend but if Clive Palmer and his legal team have their way, it won’t be long before he laces on a boot again.

Weekend Read has obtained the letter from Palmer’s lawyer that that kicked off legal proceedings between Folau and the Queensland Rugby League this week.

In it, Sam Iskander of Alexander Law says the QRL has no right to interfere with the registration process or deny Folau the right to earn a living to support his family.

Iskander also demands that the QRL inform Folau’s legal team of discussions had with sponsors and what those talks entailed.

“By placing requirements and conditions on Mr Folau which it has not placed on any other player seeking registration from the Southport Tigers in the past, is discriminatory against him,” Iskander wrote.

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In regard to the imbroglio over Folau’s contractual status with Catalans, which the French club insist remains in place, Iskander wrote: “We inform you that after Mr Folau’s contract with Catalans was terminated, Catalans wrote to Mr Folau stating that they would not provide a release to, or convey any such release of, Mr Folau to the ARL, NRL or QRL unless Mr Folau or Southport Tigers paid an amount of money to Catalans to be negotiated and is satisfactory to the latter.

“Properly understood, Catalans’ demand is tantamount to extortion and blackmail - Mr Folau, rightly and very reasonably, refuses to yield to that demand.”

Iskander insists that the QRL’s requirement that Folau be registered to play for Southport and Southport alone is in violation of their own rules.

“Mr Folau is contracted to play for the Southport Tigers this weekend and the QRL’s refusal to register him as it would any other player is not lawful,” he wrote.

“Further, the QRL’s condition that Mr Folau’s registration only be restricted to the Southport Tigers in 2021 is an arbitrary fetter on his registration – no basis for imposing such a condition in the QRL Rules exists; nor does one exist in law or in fact.”

Clive Palmer with Israel Folau and, inset, the legal letter which has created a storm

Iskander finalises the letter by writing: “We can only conclude that the QRL is applying (its rules) improperly and as a device to cloak its discrimination against Mr Folau because of his religious beliefs.”

The issue is set to head to the courts next week unless the parties can strike a satisfactory outcome in coming days. The NRL and their clubs are no doubt watching closely, some with an eye on potentially signing Folau should he make a quick impression.

Others have no doubt been scared off by events of the past week as Folau and Palmer have taken aim at the QRL. There is a view that Folau is hurting his chances of scoring a deal with an NRL club given his decision to align himself with the colourful Palmer.

Meanwhile, Southport Tigers coach Troy McCarthy, son of South Sydney legend Bob McCarthy, can’t wait to get his hands on Folau.

“He is in sensational shape, great shape,” McCarthy said.

“The first couple of nights, all the young blokes were pretty starstruck. But he just walked in like everyone else, he follows the rules.

“He is no different to anyone else here. There is no big head about him. He is just a bloke who wants to play footy.

“Physically he is ready to play and mentally he is ready to play.”

McCarthy has provided an insight into how Folau came on Southport’s radar.

“His two brothers are there - Eni and John,” McCarthy said.

“Issue turned up to watch them. We had conversation. We said are you having a run. He said, ‘nah, I am doing nothing’. We said, ‘would you have a chat’. He said, ‘yeah, sweet.

“It will be good for the comp. Our crowds are struggling up here.”

Paps ready to extend in monster deal

Ryan Papenhuyzen has been sidelined in recent weeks after suffering a concussion against St George Illawarra and his time on the sidelines has given Melbourne the opportunity to step up talks to keep him at the club beyond next year.

Weekend Read understands that the Storm and Papenhuyzen are close to signing off on a new deal that will keep the speedy No 1 at the club for an additional three years.

The deal will be worth upwards of $2.4 million - he could have potentially received more money elsewhere but it is understood Papenhuyzen was willing to sacrifice a few extra dollars to make sure he was surrounded by a decent side.

Papenhuyzen’s manager Clinton Schifcofske was tight-lipped when contacted this week, as were the Storm. However, Weekend Read understands a new deal to keep him at the club until the end of 2025 could be announced within a fortnight, a huge signing coup for Melbourne as they look to ensure they maintain their standard in years to come.

Papenhuyzen was a near certainty to play for NSW this year until he was knocked out by Tyrell Fuimaono earlier this month. His State of Origin dream was put on the backburner while he focused on regaining his health and in his absence, Nicho Hynes has stepped up to the plate and become one of the most dangerous players in the competition.

Hynes ran for 177 metres and had two try assists against the Brisbane Broncos on Thursday night. He now leads the NRL in line break assists and trails only Penrith’s Jerome Luai in try assists. Little wonder the number of clubs chasing his signature is growing by the day.

It is understood as many as six clubs are now in the mix for Hynes, who is expected to make a decision on his future within 10 days. Weekend Read understands Canterbury are not among them given their surplus of outside backs, although those numbers could be reduced as rival clubs eye off winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.

At least one club is believed to be keen to prise Watene-Zelezniak, who has one year remaining on his lucrative contract, from the Bulldogs.

Abdo says broadcast deal won’t be hurt by crackdown

NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo insists the crackdown on high tackles and the brouhaha that has followed won’t impact on the game’s broadcasting talks with free-to-air networks.

While ratings have reached record levels on Fox Sports, they have struggled on the Nine Network. Part of that can be put down to some uninspired scheduling given the games were locked in before the season started.

Abdo also insists ratings are in fact up once you take into account streaming services.

“We’re not worried about ratings because ratings are up one per cent year to date when you take into account streaming,” Abdo told Weekend Read.

“I think we are in a great position. I think we have a game that means a lot to people, I think we have a game that is showing its popularity with fans, and I think we have a game that is highly relevant and talked about.

“I think it is a wonderful proposition for any free-to-air network.”

The NRL has told its clubs that competitive tension will also aid their cause given Channel 10 had shown an interest in bidding for the rights, which are up for grabs from the end of next season.

Ten this week announced they had secured the A-League rights for next season and it remains to be seen whether that has an impact on any plans to chase rugby league rights.

Walker serves ban in quiet

Manly centre Dylan Walker will quietly serve a one-match ban on the weekend for his altercation outside a pizza shop on Sydney’s northern beaches late last year.

Walker had no conviction recorded after pleading guilty to assault earlier this month and the NRL has been working behind the scenes with Walker and the Sea Eagles on a sanction.

It is understood he was suspended for one game and fined over the incident. He will serve the suspension on Sunday when Manly play Newcastle