Japanese rugby fans will "embrace" controversial former Wallabies fullback Israel Folau, according to Kiwi coach Rob Penney.
Folau, 32, has been announced as a high-profile acquisition for Japanese side NTT Communications Shining Arcs, signing a two-year contract with the Tokyo side.
But Folau's arrival in Japan will come with baggage. In 2019, Folau was sacked by Rugby Australia for a series off homophobic social media posts and took legal action against his former employer.
Last month, Folau was involved in another dispute, taking Queensland Rugby League to Australia's Supreme Court, so he could play for Gold Coast amateur side Southport Tigers, alongside two of his younger brothers.
That registration was allowed, but only after Folau secured a release from French-based UK Super League club Catalans Dragons, whom he walked out on with one year left on his contract.
Despite the controversies, Penney - who coached Folau at the Waratahs and now works as Shining Arcs director of rugby - is content with the signing.
The former Wallabies coach tells the Sydney Morning Herald that Japanese rugby fans will support Folau on the field.
"He's a world class player, still got a bit of petrol in the tank and he'll make a massive contribution up there," Penney says. "The Japanese people will really embrace him for his sporting prowess.
"It'll be great to have him back in our game, I reckon. It's people like him who can do special things.
“We just need to have him involved, don't we? The fan base might have the most intimate knowledge about every little detail, but they love it.
"Having someone like him involved will be really great for NTT Comm."
The Top League season doesn't begin until December, so Folau will likely play out this season with the Tigers, before making his way to Japan.
