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FWC: SUI vs BIH, 6am on SN Extra'Bad look': NRL reportedly blocks Israel Folau return
Sport Nation • June 18th, 2026 5:23 pm
Israel Folau | Photo: Jono Searle/AAP
The NRL has reportedly blocked the return of cross-code international Israel Folau, according to wife Maria.
Last week, rumours swirled around the potential return of Folau to the West Tigers under coach Benji Marshall, however it was later revealed that Folau was rejected despite serious consideration.
Maria Folau, a former Silver Fern, posted a video on Instagram on Thursday to outline the series of recent events, in hopes of putting a stop to rumours.
“I wanted to address the situation with the West Tigers in this whole NRL thing... Benji contacted Iz saying that he wanted Izzy to be a part of the West Tigers for the remainder of the season," Folau said.
“Iz told Benji that he'd have to clear it with Peter V'landys because of what happened with the Dragons in 2021 with Izzy being blocked to play in the NRL.”
In 2021, Folau sought a return to rugby league after being dismissed by Rugby Australia in 2019 following homophobic social media posts.
“Benji said, yes, all good. That he had already cleared it with V'landys and the Tigers board and that it was all good for Izzy to come and play in the NRL.”
Israel Folau and Maria Folau at the NZ Netball Awards in 2019 | Photo: Brett Phibbs/Photosport
However, she said it took a turn when a week later Marshall called to say the Tigers had hit a ‘roadblock.’
“Peter had spoken to him saying that everyone has given the all clear bar Wayne Pearce, who is on the commission. His reasoning behind not wanting Izzy to play is because of inclusiveness, whatever that means, and then also that it would be a bad look to have Izzy back in the game," she explained.
“Now, I'm not sure how these boards work and how one person has that much pull and who can play in the NRL and who can't, but that was what we were told from Benji.
“Then an associate of ours got in contact with Wayne Pearce via text, and it was the same thing that Izzy wasn't welcome to play.
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“We were told by Benji that he was still keen to have Izzy back on board and that he's gonna try and get a contract lodged and that the board were meeting on Sunday to talk about the situation.”
However now on return from Tonga, Folau was told the Tigers were no longer going to lodge a contract because of the media pressure, it'd be a distraction for the club.
She concluded that the process feels like a waste of time, remaining disappointed in the decision.
