Israel Folau is plotting a rugby league return via a Gold Coast local competition.
The controversial ex-Wallaby has signed to play for the Southport Tigers, and much-maligned former politician Clive Palmer is working to have his application to play ticked off.
The billionaire has written to the QRL urging them to sign off on Folau's return through the competition.
The pair fronted a press conference at the Hilton Hotel on the Gold Coast on Friday, and The Daily Telegraph’s David Riccio believes it is a “step in the wrong direction” for the former NRL star.
“Israel seriously has got to start to read the room,” Riccio said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“When you appoint Clive Palmer – the former politician – to front a press conference I understand today on the Gold Coast in this attempt to come back through the lower grades at 32 years of age.
“Israel’s had a massive struggle as far as understanding the perception in the public wave against him on this issue.
“Appointing Clive Palmer to give you a hand is just another step in the wrong direction from Israel’s point of view.”
While Riccio isn’t against a return to rugby for Folau, he believes he’ll struggle to make an impact at the top level at this stage of his career.
“Do I have a major problem with him attempting to play rugby league? No I don’t, but in the fair dinkum stakes, again, he’s 32 years of age,” Riccio said.
“The great Ken Sio, with the great respect to him, the former Parramatta Eels centre, when he was playing against Catalans alongside Israel Folau, Sio was making more line breaks and tackle busts than Israel.
“Anyone that thinks Israel’s going to come back and make an impression are kidding themselves, and I say good luck to him.
“If he wants to come back and embarrass himself, then so be it.”