Three days for Folau to rise again

Israel Folau’s sporting career was dead, but within three days it rose again.

Israel Folau has abandoned his plans with his church in Sydney to play Super League in France. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Israel Folau’s sporting career was dead, but within three days it rose again.

The 30-year-old’s new contract with French Super League club Catalans Dragons was finalised three days after it was offered, such was the ex-Wallaby’s desire to resume playing.

And he has guaranteed those close to him that he will not make any controversial social media posts — as per his strict contract with the Dragons — but ­rather do all his talking on the field to prove a point to his critics.

The Australian has learnt that after desperately seeking a return to the NRL and getting short shrift, Folau abandoned his previous plan to remain in ­Sydney and focus on his church, to consider overseas offers. Some foreign clubs expressed interest but there were several issues preventing deals being done.

Then late last week, Catalans came in with their offer — said to be around $400,000 — and Folau signed and sealed the contract within 72 hours. He and wife Maria will relocate to Perpignan in southern France next week, and he’s expected to be available to play in the second round on February 9 against Wakefield Trinity.

That match will have extra spice after Trinity’s openly gay prop Keegan Hirst slammed Folau’s signing, posting on Twitter: “I’m shocked and disappointed at the signing of @IzzyFolau,” he wrote. “Our great game is tasked with fighting against ­homophobia and standing up for the values it puts such high stock in. It shows none of the bravery, camaraderie or integrity @rfl expects from its players, staff and fans.”

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The Super League was concerned about its image being tarnished by Folau being signed, and internally expressed concerns to all clubs. Despite this, Catalans moved forward with the signing, but only after Folau agreed to unprecedented terms around his social media usage.

A mouth-watering showdown with Sonny Bill Williams now awaits. Folau’s Dragons are due to host Williams’ Toronto Wolfpack on April 12 in a round 10 face-off in Perpignan.

While the pair have clashed repeatedly over the past decade — in Wallabies-All Blacks Tests and at Super Rugby level — they have only played twice in rugby league. Both of those matches came in 2007 when Folau’s Melbourne Storm got the better of Williams’ Canterbury Bulldogs.

Folau may be returning to rugby league, but he won’t be pulling on a Kangaroos or Queensland Origin jersey.

While Folau has represented Queensland in the past, only NRL-contracted players are available for Origin selection.

Maroons legend Allan Langer famously returned from ­England to play in the 2001 Origin series, but that loophole has been closed.