Israel Folau Joins Nines Premier League

The 37-year-old athlete returns to Australian competition after signing a contract with the EZ Squad.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Football

Live Poll

Should professional sports organizations offer second chances to athletes who have previously faced public controversy?

Israel Folau has signed a contract with the Nines Premier League to join the EZ Squad. This deal marks his return to competitive play in Australia for the first time since 2021.

Why it matters

The signing brings Folau back to the Australian sporting circuit five years after his previous contract was terminated by Rugby Australia. He joins fellow signed players Will Genia and Tim Nanai-Williams in the league.

Israel Folau, aged 37, is one of 11 players confirmed for the EZ Squad. This signing ends a five-year hiatus from Australian professional rugby competition.

The players

Israel Folau

He is a professional athlete who last played in Australia in 2021 before his contract was terminated by Rugby Australia.

Will Genia

He is a rugby union player who has also signed to compete in the Nines Premier League tournament.

Tim Nanai-Williams

He is a professional rugby player confirmed to participate in the upcoming Nines Premier League season.

Rugby Australia

This is the governing body for rugby union in Australia that previously ended its association with Folau in 2021.

Wests Tigers

This is a professional rugby league club that held talks with Folau earlier in 2026.

The details

Folau returns to the field after holding discussions with the Wests Tigers earlier in 2026. He will compete alongside other high-profile athletes including Will Genia and Tim Nanai-Williams during the three-event tournament series.

2021: Folau last played in Australia before this contract.
November 2026: Nines Premier League event in Sydney.
December 2026: Nines Premier League event in Brisbane.
January 2027: Nines Premier League finals in Gold Coast.

Season Trajectory

The inclusion of high-profile athletes like Folau, Genia, and Nanai-Williams shifts the competitive balance and media focus of the inaugural Nines Premier League season. This move tests whether the new tournament structure can successfully reintegrate veteran players into the domestic sporting ecosystem.

The league features events in Sydney in November 2026 and Brisbane in December 2026 before the finals in the Gold Coast in January 2027. Fans can expect these matches to serve as the primary stage for Folau's return to play within the country.

The takeaway

The return of established stars to new league formats often drives increased viewership and engagement for emerging tournaments. Supporters should monitor tournament schedules to track how these veteran players integrate into the new competition structure.