Signings watch: Could Israel Folau make ‘stunning’ NRL return?

It’s been 5758 days since Israel Folau last played an NRL match.

But could this be set to change?

Having played 91 matches between 2007 and 2010 for the Broncos and Storm, the former Dally M Rookie of the Year was a superstar during his short time in the competition, managing to score 73 tries while going on to represent Queensland and Australia.

After the 2010 season, Folau switched codes, joining the GWS Giants on a four-year deal worth $6 million. He served only two years of that deal before moving to Rugby Union to represent the Wallabies, and his contract was terminated in 2019 after a high-level breach of the players’ code of conduct.

But on 2GB’s Ben Fordham Live, Spiro Christopoulos reported on Tuesday that the now 37-year-old is looking at returning to the NRL with one club already being approached.

“It’s my information today that he’s been shopped around to at least one club in the National Rugby League, that being the Wests Tigers,” Christopoulos said.

“I’m told that Benji Marshall, the coach, has been approached by Israel Folau’s manager.

“There’s talk of a train and trial deal, which could be done as soon as the June 30 deadline.”

When asked by Andrew Voss about the rumours surrounding Folau, News Corp journalist David Riccio was aware but was unable to confirm it as of yet.

However, he found the report incredibly interesting.

“I've only heard the tip as well and the whisper,” Riccio told SEN’s Front Office with Vossy.

“Certainly, calls are into the Wests Tigers to determine how real it is.

“I found it stunning, to be honest, when I first picked up on it.

“But as I said, the calls are in at the moment, and we'll see what comes back.”

Since then, News Corp has reported that the Tigers are not interested.