It has been revealed that before the Wests Tigers rejected the approach to sign global superstar Israel Folau, they “seriously considered” bringing him into the club.
On Tuesday morning, reports emerged that Folau was eyeing a stunning return to the NRL, sending shockwaves through the rugby league world.
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Despite being 37 years of age and last playing in the competition in 2020, it was understood that he was keen to return to the sport where his journey started, following stints in AFL and rugby union.
This saw him linked to the Wests Tigers, with reports emerging that his camp had approached coach Benji Marshall about a potentially train-and-trial contract – before they shut down the idea.
However, speaking on NRL 360, Code Sports reporter Brent Read has revealed that although the Tigers rejected his approach, “they seriously considered” signing him.
“I believe Israel Folau or someone close to him reached out to the Tigers about potentially joining them for the rest of the year,” Read said.
“He’s been playing Japanese rugby over there (and it has) finished and he was looking for a run for the rest of the year.
“I never got to the bottom of why (he was rejected), but they did seriously consider doing it but I don’t know why they didn’t do it.
“I seriously think they thought about it and I think they thought that he could come and play NSW Cup and they’d see how he went.
“But they decided not to go down that path. Maybe it was because of the attention it would have brought to the club, it could have been a distraction.”
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While Read was unsure of the main reason behind the Tigers rejecting his approach, fellow reporter Michael Carayannis stated that there was a concern that the NRL wouldn’t green-light the deal.
“The concern is that the NRL wouldn’t register the deal so you go through the whole circus and there’s no guarantee that he would even play a game for you,” Carayannis added.
The comments from NRL 360 come as Folau’s brother, David, told Wide World of Sports that a comeback to the 13-man code is still a huge chance of happening.
And according to David, at least four or five NRL clubs are ready to pounce on his services before the June 30 transfer deadline.
“Israel has a management team and they have received interest from four or five clubs and they have been great to deal with,” Israel’s older brother said.
“It’s just a question of sorting out a few details and hopefully a deal can be done.”
“Israel has had several talks with Benji (Marshall) and they have been very positive.
“Israel is older and wiser now and the great thing about league is we’re a game of second chances – it’s what we stand on as a community.”