Israel Folau: Current Status, Career, and Controversy 2025

Israel Folau’s name rarely appears without a headline attached. A three-code athlete who scaled the heights of rugby league, Australian rules football, and rugby union, he also became one of the most divisive figures in Australian sport after his contract was terminated by Rugby Australia in 2019 over a social-media post. Here’s what he’s doing now, how his faith shapes his public life, and where his career stands in 2025.

Instagram Followers: 312,000 ·
Games for Melbourne Storm: 90 ·
Grand Finals Played: 2 ·
Religion: Christianity

Six key facts about Folau, drawn from his career and personal life:

What is Israel Folau doing now?

Folau is currently pursuing a return to rugby league through the NRL. In June 2026, The Sydney Morning Herald (Australian news) reported that his management had approached the Wests Tigers. That same report noted Folau is 37 years old and had left Japanese rugby. His most recent on-field action came in April 2024 when he returned from a nine-month injury layoff to play for Urayasu D-Rocks in Japan Rugby League One, scoring within four minutes of his comeback, according to The New Zealand Herald (New Zealand news). The pattern: every time Folau’s career hits a regulatory wall, he pivots to a new code or league.

Return to rugby league with Tonga

In 2022, World Rugby changed its eligibility rules, allowing a three-year stand-down period for national-team switches. Folau was named in Tonga’s squad on 27 May 2022 for the Pacific Nations Cup and a World Cup playoff campaign, as reported by The Guardian (UK news). Tonga coach Toutai Kefu said the team hoped to bring him into the tournament, while Sky Sports reported that Tonga would impose social-media restrictions on Folau ahead of his international return (Sky Sports (sports broadcaster)).

Latest news in 2025

As of mid-2026, the most concrete development is Folau’s bid to join Wests Tigers. According to The Sydney Morning Herald (Australian news), his management has already made contact. No deal has been confirmed.

What religion is Israel Folau?

Folau grew up as a Mormon and later became an active member of the Assemblies of God/Pentecostal Christian tradition in 2011, according to Wikipedia (biographical reference). His Instagram bio currently reads “Proud Husband. Father. Jesus ✝️” (Instagram (personal profile)). His father, Eni Folau, is a pastor.

Christian faith

Folau’s Christian beliefs have been a central theme in his public life. He was sacked by Rugby Australia in May 2019 after posting on social media that “hell awaits” gay people, a statement he defended as a genuine expression of his faith. Rugby Australia considered it a high-level breach of the code of conduct (BBC Sport (sports news)).

Public expression of beliefs

Folau later argued that the contract termination amounted to religious discrimination (BBC News (international news)). The dispute was settled in 2020 with terms not publicly disclosed. Since then, his public statements have mainly come through his Instagram account and his co-founded religious organisation, The Called Out Ones.

Does Israel Folau have children?

Yes. Folau’s Instagram bio states he is a father, and Wikipedia (biographical reference) lists him as having children. The exact number of children has not been publicly confirmed.

Family life

Folau is married to Maria Tutaia, a former New Zealand netball international. The couple married in 2020 and have shared glimpses of their family on social media. Maria Tutaia is tagged in Folau’s Instagram bio (Instagram (personal profile)).

Fatherhood

Who is Israel Folau’s wife?

Folau is married to Maria Tutaia, a retired New Zealand Silver Ferns netball player. Tutaia played 113 Tests for New Zealand and was a key figure in the team’s 2019 Netball World Cup victory. The couple married in 2020, according to Wikipedia (biographical reference).

Maria Tutaia

Tutaia’s Instagram handle is @mariatutaia, and she is tagged in Folau’s Instagram bio. She remains a public figure in New Zealand, occasionally posting about family and netball commitments.

Marriage and public appearances

The couple have made few joint public appearances since the 2019 controversy, but they have been seen together at church events and family outings in Australia and New Zealand.

Did Israel Folau play AFL?

Yes. Folau played for the GWS Giants in the Australian Football League (AFL) from 2013 to 2015, after switching from rugby league. His AFL career was short; he played 13 games and kicked 2 goals, according to Wikipedia (biographical reference).

Australian rules football career

Folau’s move to the AFL was a major cross-code experiment. He was signed by the GWS Giants on a multi-million-dollar contract, but struggled to adapt to the unique skills of Australian rules. After two seasons, he left the sport to return to rugby union.

Time with GWS Giants

The decision to switch codes was widely seen as a gamble that did not pay off. Folau later said the experience taught him about resilience. His AFL stint is often cited as the least successful chapter of his sporting career.

Timeline

The key milestones in Folau’s cross-code path show an athlete in constant motion:

• 2007–2013: Played rugby league for Melbourne Storm and Brisbane Broncos (90 games, 2 Grand Finals) (Wikipedia)
• 2013–2015: Played Australian rules football for GWS Giants (Wikipedia)
• 2015–2019: Played rugby union for Waratahs and Wallabies (Wikipedia)
• 2019: Sacked by Rugby Australia for high-level code of conduct breach (BBC Sport)
• 2020: Settlement with Rugby Australia (BBC News)
• 2022: Announced return to rugby league to play for Tonga (The Guardian)
• 2024: Returned from injury layoff in Japan Rugby League One (New Zealand Herald)
• 2026: Pursuing NRL return via Wests Tigers (Sydney Morning Herald)

Quotes

Proud Husband. Father. Jesus ✝️

— Israel Folau’s Instagram bio (Instagram (personal profile))

Sacked rugby union player Israel Folau announces rugby league return with Tonga

— SportResolutions headline (SportResolutions (sports arbitration body))

Summary

Israel Folau remains one of the most polarising figures in Australian sport. His talent is undeniable — he is a former Super Rugby try-scoring record holder with 60 tries for the Waratahs (New Zealand Herald) and 37 tries in 73 Tests for Australia. But his outspoken religious convictions have repeatedly clashed with the sport’s inclusivity policies. For the Wests Tigers and the NRL, the choice is clear: accept the baggage that comes with a proven match-winner, or keep the door closed to a player who has never stopped fighting for a second chance.

For a more detailed look at his current team and the ongoing controversy, see detailed look at his current team and controversy.

Frequently asked questions