Broncos issue statement following latest Folau story
The Brisbane Broncos have distanced themselves from reports they are keen to bring Israel Folau back to the NRL.
The Broncos were linked in media reports to a potential move to sign the former Wallabies winger after he reached an out-of-court settlement with Rugby Australia earlier this week over his wrongful termination claim.
Within hours of the reports being published on Sunday however, the Broncos issued a brief statement saying they had no intention of bringing the 30-year-old back to Red Hill.
"Contrary to media speculation, the Broncos have not been part of discussions of any kind with the player," the Broncos said in the statement posted on their website.
"The club's roster is settled for the 2020 season.
"We wish Israel well in the future."
News Corp Australia reports Folau has been training hard to get himself fit for a preferred return to rugby league.
Folau's sporting future is uncertain despite settling his claim with Rugby Australia rela ting to his axing over an infamous homophobic post on social media.
ARL Commission chairman Peter V'landys has previously publicly insisted that a return to the NRL for devout Christian Folau would be difficult given his controversial stance on homosexuality is incompatible with the game's ethos.
The News Corp Australia report claims Folau would be willing to allow the NRL to vet his future social media posts if it allowed him to move back to the competition.
Folau played for Melbourne and the Broncos in his four-season NRL career between 2007 and 2010 before switching codes to join expansion club GWS in the AFL.
He played 13 AFL matches for the Giants before joining rugby union in 2013 and going on to make 62 Test appearances for the Wallabies.
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I’m looking forward to attending the Twickenham match, I don’t think it will have a bearing on the outcome of the grand prize itself but it will tell us more about each teams’ preparation and game plan. It’s hard to look past one of the big four (I’m including Canada) lifting the trophy in 2025 but sport is a curious thing, there will still be twists and turns in road ahead.
Go to commentsThe better side seems to be the losing side a lot these days. As far as narrative goes. Must be the big emergent culture of “participation awards” that have emerged in nanny states. ”It looked like New Zealand would take the game from there but lapses in execution let South Africa get back into the game. New Zealand’s goal kickers left five points out there, including a very make-able penalty on the stroke of half”. Sounds like a chronic problem… I wonder how the better team has lapses in concentration and execution? Or are those not important factors in the grand scheme of total performances? In 2023, the ABs at least didn’t give up a lead to lose. They just couldn’t execute to get the points and take the lead. This Baby AB result points to a choke - letting the game slip through your fingers. In the words of the great Ricky Bobby’s dad - “If you’re not 1st you’re last!” Loosely translated - if you didn’t win, you’re a loser.
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