Israel Folau: Where did it all go wrong for the rugby superstar?

A bona fide superstar of both rugby union and rugby league, Israel Folau could have easily been a Hall of Famer in either of his chosen disciplines. Unfortunately for him, a career of turmoil and controversy has practically shattered any chance of that.

His journey from a prodigious talent to a contentious figure highlights the complexities of modern sports, where athletic prowess can be overshadowed by personal beliefs and public opinion.

Born on April 3, 1989, in Minto, New South Wales, Folau's athletic abilities were evident from the outset. He first made a significant impact in rugby league, debuting for the Melbourne Storm in 2007 at just 17 years old.

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His powerful performances on the wing quickly established him as a formidable force. The following year, he would become the youngest player to represent Australia in a Test Match at 18. 

Folau's career in rugby league saw him achieve numerous accolades, including winning the 2007 NRL Premiership with Melbourne Storm and representing Queensland in the State of Origin series. His move to the Brisbane Broncos in 2009 further solidified his status as one of the game's brightest stars.

Despite his rapid and incredible success in rugby league, Folau's career took a surprising turn when he switched codes to Australian Rules Football (AFL) in 2011, joining the newly formed Greater Western Sydney Giants for AU$6 million (£3.12, €3.7m, $4m US) over four years, as reported by The Sydney Morning Herald.

Folau's stint in the AFL was short-lived, and by 2013, he had made yet another switch, this time to rugby union, signing with the New South Wales Waratahs. His debut season was impressive, and he quickly became a key player for both the Waratahs and the Australian national team, the Wallabies.

In 2014, Folau helped lead the Waratahs to their first Super Rugby title, earning the accolade of Super Rugby Player of the Year. His ability to break through defenses, his exceptional aerial skills, and his knack for scoring tries made him an indispensable asset for any team he played for.

By 2015, he had solidified his place as one of the best fullbacks in the world, playing a crucial role in Australia's run to the Rugby World Cup final, which they ultimately lost to New Zealand.

Despite his on-field success, Folau's career began to unravel due to his off-field actions. Known for his devout Christian beliefs, Folau often used social media to express his views on various issues.

It was a post on Instagram in April 2019 that became the tipping point. Folau shared a message that proclaimed "hell awaits" homosexuals and other groups he considered sinners, as reported by ABC. This post sparked outrage and widespread condemnation, leading to a significant public backlash.

Rugby Australia, the governing body of the sport in the country, found itself in a precarious position. The organization, headed by Raelene Castle (pictured) stated it had a duty to uphold its values of inclusivity and respect, which were starkly at odds with Folau's public statements.

After a thorough investigation, Rugby Australia decided to terminate Folau's contract, as did his sponsors ASICS, stating that his actions breached their code of conduct, as reported by the BBC. 

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This decision was controversial, with religious organizations, such as the Australian Christian Lobby, offering support for the embattled star. The organization helped to raise $2 million (£1m, €1.2m, US$1.35m)  to help cover his legal proceedings against Australian Rugby, as reported by The Guardian.

After taking legal action against Rugby Australia on the grounds of religious discrimination, Folau and the sporting body settled out of court in December 2019 for an undisclosed sum of money.

Following his departure from Australian Rugby, Folau sought new opportunities abroad. In 2020, he signed with the French rugby league team Catalans Dragons, marking his return to the sport where he first made his name.

After playing just fifteen games for the Dragons, and scoring five tries, Folau was released, as reported by Rugby Pass. His time at Catalan was also controversial as in the first game of the playoffs against St Helens, he would be the only player on the field who refused to take a knee as a symbol of solidarity against police brutality and racism.

Following his release in 2021, Folau briefly joined the Southport Tigers in the Gold Coast Rugby League in a move to pave his return to the NRL. This plan would be shortlived as Japanese rugby came knocking. Foloay was offered a reported AU$900,000 (£468k, €557k US$607k) a season to play, and another code switch was in play. 

In 2021, he joined the Shining Arcs Tokyo-Bay Urayasu in the Japan Rugby League One competition, making his debut in 2022. He was an immediate sensation and scored 10 tries in 12 matches, before injury ultimately hampered his campaign, as reported by the New Zealand Herald.

He made his return to the field in March 2024, after 9 months of rehabilitation for a knee injury. An injury that ultimately cost him his last-ever World Cup appearance in 2023, this time representing Tonga.

At 35, it's likely we've seen the last of Folau's athletic greatness. The once bright star looks set to quietly wind down the clock on his career in Japan, away from the public scrutiny that has ultimately plagued his best competition years.

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