Brisbane Broncos have distanced themselves from reports they are keen to bring Israel Folau back to the NRL.
Media reports linked the Broncos to a potential move to sign the former Wallabies winger, after he reached an out-of-court settlement with Rugby Australia earlier this week, over his wrongful termination claim.
But within hours of the reports being published on Sunday, the Broncos issued a brief statement saying they had no intention of bringing the 30-year-old back to Red Hill.
"Contrary to media speculation, the Broncos have not been part of discussions of any kind with the player," the Broncos said in the statement posted on their website.
"The club's roster is settled for the 2020 season. We wish Israel well in the future."
News Corp Australia reports Folau has trained hard to get himself fit for a preferred return to rugby league.
Folau's sporting future is uncertain, despite settling his claim with Rugby Australia over an infamous homophobic post on social media.
Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V'landys has previously insisted an NRL return for devout Christian Folau would be difficult, given his controversial stance on homosexuality is incompatible with the game's ethos.
The News Corp Australia report claims Folau would be willing to allow the NRL to vet future social media posts, if it allowed him to move back to the competition.
Folau played for Melbourne and the Broncos in his four-season NRL career between 2007-10, before switching codes to join expansion club Greater Western Sydney in the AFL.
He played 13 AFL matches for the Giants, before joining rugby union in 2013 and going on to make 62 test appearances for the Wallabies.
AAP.
