Following an ankle injury to Brisbane Broncos centre Justin Hodges, Folau replaced him in the Australian test side to play New Zealand on 14 October 2007.

Folau's decision to leave the Melbourne Storm at the end of 2008 was influenced by his desire to live closer to his family in Brisbane, Queensland.

This was helped by a massive four-try haul against the Gold Coast Titans in May, equalling Brisbane Broncos Steve Renouf's record for the most tries in a single game for the Queensland club.

Folau was also overlooked to represent Australia in the Four Nations tournament and was subsequently dis-allowed by the Australian Rugby League to play for Tonga in a warm-up match against Samoa.

Initially playing in defence and struggling to make an impact, it wasn't until GWS coach Kevin Sheedy moved him into the forward line that his performances improved, including 4 goals in a game against Queanbeyan Football Club.

The then AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou remarked, "We're genuinely excited to provide 10 players with the opportunity to become leaders in the community, promoting the benefits of inclusion and diversity.

Melbourne Rebels Coach Damien Hill said he was sceptical about how the Waratahs, or any Super Rugby club, could fit Folau under the salary cap.

[49] Folau's potential positive impact in rugby union has been likened by several players and coaches to that of fellow league-turned-rugby star Sonny Bill Williams.

[57] Folau's first Super Rugby appearance for New South Wales was against long-time rivals Queensland in the second round (23 February 2013) of the season at Lang Park, Brisbane.

[64] Folau has been awarded the Rugby Australia John Eales Medal, the Wallabies' Player of the Year recognition, a record three times, in 2014, 2015 and 2017.

[65] On 5 July 2021 it was reported that Folau had switched back to play rugby union for Japanese club Shining Arcs Tokyo-Bay Urayasu (formerly NTT Communications).

Folau is the fourth highest try scoring Australian international player, behind Adam Ashley-Cooper, Chris Latham and David Campese.

[75][76] Coach Toutai Kefu, keen on having Folau play for Tonga,[76] said of the decision: "We'd definitely be interested... We're not in a position to bypass players of Israel's calibre.

[74] On 27 May 2022, it was announced that Folau, along with well-known former New Zealand internationals Charles Piutau, Malakai Fekitoa and Augustine Pulu, were selected for the Tonga squad ahead of the Pacific Nations Cup in July.

In September, the ARU management declared the Wallabies in support of the change, prompting Folau to announce his personal opposition a day later on Twitter, where he wrote: "I love and respect all people for who they are and their opinions.

"[106][107] Folau later wrote in Players Voice: "I didn't agree with Bill Pulver taking a stance on the same-sex marriage vote on behalf of the whole organisation, but I understand the reasons behind why he did.

"[110][111] Folau later wrote in Players Voice "My response to the question is what I believe God's plan is for all sinners, according to my understanding of my Bible teachings, specifically 1 Corinthians 6:9–10".

I fronted the cover of the Star Observer magazine to show my support for the Bingham Cup, which is an international gay rugby competition for both men and women.

Later on that day on his personal Twitter account, Folau posted a screenshot of the news headline that read: "Tasmania becomes first Australian jurisdiction to make gender optional on birth certificates".

"[119] Some hours later, in his personal Instagram account, Folau posted a screenshot of a meme, quoting 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 "WARNING Drunks, Homosexuals, Adulterers, Liars, Fornicators, Thieves, Atheists, Idolators HELL AWAITS YOU.

[117] The next day, (11 April 2019) Rugby Australia announced their intention to terminate his contract "in the absence of compelling mitigating factors", and said they had been unable to contact him.

[129] Delivering a sermon at his church on Easter Sunday at the height of the controversy, he broke down while recalling the words from the Bible, Matthew 16:26,[130] "For what shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?

"[131] Folau, in a church sermon, said that the devil is behind primary school children being allowed to decide if they wanted to change gender by taking away the permission of their parents.

[138] In May 2019, a Code of Conduct hearing was undertaken, during which the CEO of Rugby Australia, Raelene Castle, suggested she would have terminated Folau's contract if he had "photocopied Bible passages" and posted them to his social media.

[142] At the May 2019 hearing, Folau said that at least 15 teammates and members of the coaching staff had either provided him with messages of support and/or urged for his return to the playing field.

[156] On 19 July 2019, the Fair Work Commission issued a certificate confirming all reasonable attempts to resolve the dispute between Folau and Rugby Australia had been unsuccessful.

[157][158] On 1 August 2019, Folau launched legal action in the Federal Circuit Court of Australia, against RA and NSW Rugby for unlawful termination on the basis of religion, breach of contract and restraint of trade.

[160][161] This claim was viewed with bemusement and ridicule from past and present Australian rugby union players, as Folau had never held a captaincy or vice-captaincy position with any of the football teams he had been a part of.

[162][163][164][165][166] Folau and Rugby Australia issued a joint statement and apology on 4 December 2019 that stated no harm had been intended by either party and announced that a confidential settlement had been reached.

[169] After Folau signed for the Catalans Dragons in 2020, he caused controversy again, in the first game of the season against St Helens, being the only player of both teams refusing to take the knee, as a symbol of solidarity against police brutality and racism.