By WWOS staff9 hours ago
FShareTTweetQSMSWWhatsAppBEmailGJTumblrLLinkedIn9 hours ago
Israel Folau has been released by Catalans Dragons and could debut for Southport Tigers as early as Saturday.
Folau made a $50,000 payment to Catalans to seal the release, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.
The release is likely to halt Supreme Court action against the Queensland Rugby League by Folau, who is being backed by Tigers patron and billionaire businessman Clive Palmer. The controversial superstar could now play for Southport against Currumbin Eagles this weekend in the Gold Coast competition; which sits on the third tier of elite rugby league. Israel remains one of the best rugby league players in Queensland and Australia, Palmer, who earlier called for Queensland to pick Folau in State of Origin III, said in a statement on Tuesday.
The clearance should come in time for Folau to be formally registered to make his debut for the Southport Tigers ahead of this weekend’s clash with Currumbin Eagles at Galleon Way in the third-tier Gold Coast competition. It would mark the first time he has played league in Australia since finishing the 2010 NRL season with the Brisbane Broncos.
Folau’s backer, billionaire businessman and Tigers patron Clive Palmer, welcomed Catalans’ decision and expects the Queensland Rugby League to register him as soon as possible.
“Israel remains one of the best rugby league players in Queensland and Australia,” Palmer said in a statement.
Xavier Coates set tongues wagging when he held secret talks with Storm super coach Craig Bellamy before Christmas. But Broncos fans need not worry about where his allegiance lies.
Home is where the heart is for rising Broncos star qt.com.au - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from qt.com.au Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Home is where the heart is for rising Broncos star gympietimes.com.au - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from gympietimes.com.au Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.