Israel Folau

The Super League side announced the arrival of former Australia rugby union international Folau, 30, on Tuesday.

Folau settled a legal dispute with Rugby Australia in December after his contract had been terminated for a "high-level breach" after he posted hell awaits "drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists and idolaters" on Instagram.

Catalans say "any transgression" from Folau will trigger the immediate termination of his deal.

The Daily Telegraph reports the New York franchise, which joins the British competition this season, made a pitch to Folau in a phone call recently.

The former Wallaby could be joining All Black Sonny Bill Williams in North America.

Rugby Australia and Folau announced an out-of-court settlement late last year following months of fallout stemming from Folau being sacked over his controversial social media posts, which read: “Drunks, Homosexuals, Adulterers, Liars, Fornicators, Thieves, Atheists, Idolators: Hell Awaits You. Repent! Only Jesus Saves.”

After Folau and Rugby Australia last week settled their legal dispute, a number of NRL clubs are reportedly now vying to bring the sacked Wallabies fullback back to the 13-man code.

The Broncos have already rejected any notion of bringing Folau back to Suncorp Stadium. However, the prospect of signing the 91-game veteran could prove tempting for a struggling NRL side.

Speaking to Australia's Big Sports Breakfast today, though, Daley outlined why Folau isn't worth the risk for any of his potential suitors to take.

CEO of South African Super Rugby franchise the Bulls, Alfonso Meyer, revealed he was contacted to gauge his interest in recruiting the former Wallaby but said Folau is simply too controversial a figure to take a risk on.

Folau and RA reached a confidential out-of-court settlement this week after he chased $14 million in compensation for what he claimed was wrongful termination when the governing body sacked him for saying on Instagram “hell awaits” gay people.

The Daily Telegraph reported Rugby Australia and Folau settled the former Wallaby's wrongful termination claim for the large sum after the fullback initially sought $14 million in compensation.

However, Castle has come forward on social media to deny the report.

"Folau settlement numbers are confidential but numbers being speculated are wildly inaccurate," Castle said in the short statement.

Folau sought compensation from Rugby Australia after he believed he had his contract torn up wrongfully for a code of conduct breach on social media.

The sacked Wallaby and his netballer wife Maria Folau went to the Federal Court in Melbourne on Monday for a mediation meeting over his $14 million compensation claim against Rugby Australia.

Folau claims he was wrongfully dismissed by Rugby Australia and Rugby NSW after a controversial Instagram post in April condemning "drunks" and "homosexuals" and warning "hell awaits" them.

His lawyer George Haro told reporters in Melbourne late on Monday evening they weren't able to reach an "amicable solution just yet.

The cross-code star lodged an updated statement of claim in the Federal Court where he’s increasing his demands from $10 million to $14 million.

According to The Daily Telegraph, Folau, who was sacked for anti-gay comments made on social media this year, said his contract termination will cost him more than $4 million from 2019-21 and also claimed he stood to make up to $1.5 million a season overseas when his contract with RA was up.

After the sacked Wallabies star claimed that sin is to blame for the bushfires engulfing New South Wales, Labour MP for the East Coast electorate Ms Allan fired back in Folau's direction.

Taking to Twitter, Ms Allan - who is openly gay - pointed out that she comes from a similar religious background.

"I grew up in a Pentecostal church and listened to stuff like this growing up," she wrote.

"Even though I knew it didn't sound right, there was always this internal voice wondering whether it might be.

The Tonga National Rugby League (TNRL) has issued a statement saying that Folau, and his brother John, have been registered by the body and are now eligible to play for the hugely popular Mate Ma'a Tonga.

TNRL chair George Koloamatangi confirmed both Israel and John Folau would play in the Oceania Cup fixture against Australia on 2 November and the historic match against Great Britain a week earlier.

However, neither player is available for the World Nines tournament in October to be played in Sydney because that tournament comes under the auspices of Australia's NRL.

Folau was sacked by Rugby Australia in May for a "high-level breach" of contract after the full-back posted "hell awaits drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists and idolaters" on Instagram.

Cheika overlooked Folau before he was sanctioned, stating "the team is king", and the Wallabies boss has revealed that stance did not go down well with some supporters.

"People were saying all sorts of stuff," Cheika said. "Just threats I was getting; people on the street, some to my face, a couple at some games. It was just crazy stuff."