Israel Folau posts his support for gay footballer Kane Evans on social media

Updated June 10, 2026 — 4:31pm,first published June 9, 2026 — 5:38pm

Israel Folau has indicated support on social media for footballer Kane Evans after he came out as gay in an apparent backflip in his views about homosexuality.

Evans – who played for the Roosters, Eels and Warriors during a 131-game NRL career that ended in 2021 – detailed his struggles with alcohol, substance addiction and suicidal thoughts while wrestling with his sexuality during an emotional interview aired on Channel Nine’s 100% Footy on Monday night.

There has been an outpouring of support from the league and wider community, including from NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo, former teammates Victory Radley and Australian comedian and actor Magda Szubanski.

But perhaps the most unexpected backing has come from Folau. Kane Evans recently posted on Instagram: “No weapon formed against me shall prosper. I love and accept who I am. Thank you God. Sa liu o koya.”

One of the respondents was Folau, who posted two love heart emojis.

Folau was later sacked by Rugby Australia for expressing similar views about homosexuals. The governing body subsequently apologised as part of a confidential settlement after Folau filed an unfair dismissal case.

Folau’s latest post comes at a time when he is attempting to return to the NRL. After ending his tenure at Japanese rugby club Urayasu D-Rocks, the 37-year-old’s management approached Wests Tigers about the prospect of a stunning comeback to the competition with Benji Marshall’s team.

However, the Tigers chose not to reactivate an NRL career that ended when he played the last of his 91 games with the Broncos in 2010.

Payne Haas and Cameron Murray will break from NSW Origin camp and make the three-hour round trip to Sydney to support good mate Jai Arrow.

South Sydney will on Thursday night play their first home game since Arrow announced he had been diagnosed with motor neurone disease and was forced to immediately retire.

In a special touch, Souths have named Arrow in the No.23 jersey. Arrow will ring the club’s Legacy Bell before kick-off against the Broncos. Players from both clubs will form a guard of honour and a video tribute will be screened at Accor Stadium.

Arrow, 30, was invited to Melbourne for the Big Freeze coin toss before the Collingwood-Melbourne AFL blockbuster on Monday. The annual fixture has become a tribute to the late Neale Daniher, a much-loved AFL player and coach who fought MND after being diagnosed with the condition in 2013.

Arrow started his career at the Broncos, then spent three years on the Gold Coast before li