Few rugby careers have sparked as much conversation as Israel Folau’s — and in October 2025, he added another twist by showing up at Wallabies training camp for the first time in seven years. Whether you remember his NRL days, his short AFL stint, or the controversy that ended his Rugby Australia contract, his story keeps evolving. This article tracks where he plays now, what he earns, his religious convictions, and what his return to the Wallabies orbit really means.
Current Team: Urayasu D-Rocks (Japan Rugby League One) ·
Instagram Followers: 314,000 ·
Facebook Followers: 182,000 ·
Youngest Kangaroo: 18 years 194 days ·
Recent Event: Returned to Wallabies training camp (Oct 2025)
Quick snapshot
- Married to Maria Tuita
- Has children
- Devout Christian, co-founded The Called Out Ones
The table below captures key biographical identifiers for Israel Folau.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Isileli “Israel” Folau |
| Current Team | Urayasu D-Rocks (RugbyPass) |
| Position | Fullback |
| Religion | Christian (evangelical) |
| Spouse | Maria Tuita |
| Children | Not specified, but has children |
| Height | Not publicly confirmed |
Where is Israel Folau today?
Current Club: Urayasu D-Rocks
Israel Folau plays as a fullback for Urayasu D-Rocks in Japan Rugby League One, a role he has held since 2020. In the 2025/2026 season, he featured in 6 matches, played 590 minutes, and recorded 87 touches with a pass accuracy of 73% (RugbyPass). His try assist count stood at 1 for the season.
Recent Wallabies Training Camp Appearance
In October 2025, Folau made a surprising return to Wallabies training camp for the first time in seven years (ESPN). ESPN reported it as his first appearance in Wallabies camp since his contract was terminated in 2019. The move signals a potential thaw in relations, though no formal contract has been announced.
Folau is still playing regular rugby in Japan, but his return to Wallabies training suggests he hasn’t closed the door on Australian rugby — nor has the team entirely closed the door on him.
The implication: Folau’s career remains in a holding pattern, with Japan providing stability and Australia representing an uncertain but alluring possibility.
How much did Israel Folau get paid out?
Contract Termination Settlement
Rugby Australia terminated Folau’s contract in May 2019 after he posted that “hell awaits” gay people (BBC Sport). He had signed a new four-year deal worth approximately A$4 million just months earlier in February 2019 (Reuters). Initially, Folau sought A$10 million in compensation, later boosting the claim to A$14 million (Fox Sports Australia).
Confidential Nature of Payout
The exact settlement amount was never publicly disclosed (BBC News). Both parties agreed to keep the terms confidential, so any specific figure remains speculative. Folau was previously one of Australia’s highest-paid athletes (BBC News), but the termination wiped out a contract that ran through 2022.
The implication: while Folau likely secured a significant settlement, the exact number is known only to the parties — and the fact that he pushed for A$14 million hints at the scale of the financial loss he claims.
What religion is Israel Folau?
Christian Faith
Israel Folau is a devout Christian, a factor that strongly influenced his public statements and the controversy that led to his sacking. He has said his faith guides his actions and public posts.
Co-founder of The Called Out Ones
Together with his wife Maria Tuita, Folau co-founded The Called Out Ones, a Christian ministry. The organisation describes its mission as spreading the Gospel and supporting people in their faith journeys.
Folau’s religious convictions are not a sidebar — they directly shaped the 2019 controversy that ended his Wallabies career and led to a high-profile legal battle over freedom of speech and employment rights.
The pattern: Folau’s faith remains central to his identity, and his ministry work continues alongside his playing career, underscoring that his public persona is inseparable from his beliefs.
How much does Israel Folau get paid in Japan?
Japan Rugby League One Salary Structure
Exact salary figures for Folau’s contract with Urayasu D-Rocks are not publicly disclosed. Japan Rugby League One salaries generally range from moderate to competitive with top European leagues, but individual terms vary widely (RugbyPass). Most contracts in the league are not made public.
Urayasu D-Rocks Contract
Folau joined Urayasu D-Rocks in 2020 and has remained with the club through the 2025/2026 season. Without official disclosure, any estimate of his salary is speculative. However, given his profile and experience, it is reasonable to assume he commands a premium within the league’s structure.
The trade-off: playing in Japan offers Folau a stable platform and likely a solid income, but without the public scrutiny and media pressure of the Australian market — though the Wallabies training camp visit suggests he may still eye a return.
What is Israel Folau’s net worth?
Estimated Net Worth Range
Israel Folau’s net worth is estimated to be in the millions, accumulated from rugby contracts, endorsements, and his settlement. However, no official figure exists (BBC News). Media outlets place his net worth in the range of A$5–10 million, but these are educated guesses.
Sources of Income
- Rugby contracts: NRL (Melbourne Storm, Brisbane Broncos), AFL (GWS Giants), rugby union (NSW Waratahs, Wallabies, Urayasu D-Rocks)
- Settlement from Rugby Australia (undisclosed)
- Endorsements and speaking engagements
- Income from The Called Out Ones ministry
What this means: without a verified net worth statement, the numbers floating around online should be treated as rough estimates. The only certainty is that Folau earned top-tier money before 2019 and has continued playing professionally since.
Timeline signal
- 2008: Becomes youngest Kangaroo at 18 years 194 days (RugbyPass)
- 2008–2010: Plays NRL for Melbourne Storm
- 2011–2013: Plays NRL for Brisbane Broncos
- 2013–2015: Plays AFL for GWS Giants
- 2015–2019: Plays rugby union for NSW Waratahs and Wallabies
- 2019: Contract terminated by Rugby Australia (BBC Sport)
- 2020–present: Plays for Urayasu D-Rocks in Japan Rugby League One
- October 2025: Returns to Wallabies training camp (ESPN)
The catch: the timeline shows a career that has zigzagged across codes and continents, yet the 2025 Wallabies cameo suggests the story may not be finished.
What’s confirmed and what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Plays for Urayasu D-Rocks (RugbyPass)
- Returned to Wallabies camp Oct 2025 (ESPN)
- Youngest Kangaroo (18 years 194 days) (RugbyPass)
- Devout Christian
- Co-founder of The Called Out Ones
- Married to Maria Tuita
What’s unclear
- Exact payout amount from Rugby Australia (BBC News)
- Exact salary in Japan (RugbyPass)
- Exact net worth
- Number and names of children
- Height
“In a surprising turn of events, former Wallabies fullback Israel Folau has made his first appearance in Wallabies camp in seven years.”
— ESPN
“Rugby Australia said it terminated Folau’s contract to stand by its values of inclusion, passion, integrity, discipline, respect and teamwork.”
— BBC News
For Australian rugby fans, the Folau story remains an open chapter. The 2025 Wallabies training camp cameo suggests that while the past cannot be undone, the possibility of a formal return — however remote — is not entirely off the table. For Rugby Australia, the choice is clear: either engage with a player whose talent is undeniable but whose past positions remain controversial, or maintain the boundaries that led to the original split.
bbc.com, starobserver.com.au, sportingnews.com, au.news.yahoo.com, smh.com.au, bbc.com
Frequently asked questions
What is Israel Folau’s height?
His height is not publicly confirmed.
How many NRL teams did Israel Folau play for?
Two: Melbourne Storm (2008–2010) and Brisbane Broncos (2011–2013).
What position does Israel Folau play?
Fullback in rugby union; he played as a centre/wing in rugby league and as a forward in AFL.
Did Israel Folau ever win a Rugby World Cup?
No, he never won a Rugby World Cup with the Wallabies. He played in the 2019 Rugby World Cup before his contract termination.
Why was Israel Folau’s contract terminated?
Rugby Australia terminated his contract in May 2019 after controversial social media posts stating that “hell awaits” gay people (BBC Sport).
Where did Israel Folau play before moving to Japan?
He played for the NSW Waratahs and the Wallabies in rugby union, and before that for the GWS Giants (AFL) and Brisbane Broncos/Melbourne Storm (NRL).
Is Israel Folau still actively playing rugby?
Yes, he plays for Urayasu D-Rocks in Japan Rugby League One as of the 2025/2026 season (RugbyPass).
What is The Called Out Ones ministry?
A Christian ministry co-founded by Israel Folau and his wife Maria Tuita, focused on spreading the Gospel.
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James Mitchell is Editor-in-Chief at Southern Monitor, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.