Israel Folau will debut for Southport Tigers this weekend in what will be his first game of rugby league in Australia in over a decade.
Folau's plea to feature in the third-tier Gold Coast competition was today given the all clear by Queensland Rugby League, with his first match scheduled for this Saturday against the Runaway Bay Seagulls.
It comes after Folau, who was working closely alongside maligned former politician Clive Palmer, threatened to take legal action after his initial bid to play for Southport was blocked.
The controversial code-hopper had previously been in a contract standoff with the Catalans Dragons, with the Super League club refusing to allow Folau out of his contract until a financial settlement was reached.
News of Folau's return was confirmed by Palmer today on Twitter.
https://twitter.com/CliveFPalmer/status/1412623018728120324
"I'm extremely happy for the club," Palmer tweeted.
"I applaud the QRL in making the right decision in registering Israel so he can return to the game he loves.
"Israel remains one of the best players in the world, and I am sure the large crowd that turns out to support the Tigers this weekend will be treated to some exciting rugby league."
The last time Folau played rugby league in Australia was back in 2010 as a member of the Brisbane Broncos before switching to the AFL and then rugby. He was then sacked by Rugby Australia in 2019.
While Folau will take to the field this weekend, his stay in Australia will only be temporary after the former Wallaby inked a deal with Japan Top League club NTT Communications Shining Arcs earlier this week.
Folau will return to the 15-man code and reignite his rugby career in Ichikawa under former Waratahs coach Rob Penney next season.
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