Catalans Dragons coach Steve McNamara impressed with Folau's defensive performance on his debut
Folau scores on Dragons debut, coach impressed with his defence
SHOWS: PERPIGNAN, FRANCE (FEBRUARY 15, 2020) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 1.
(SOUNDBITE)(English) CATALANS DRAGONS COACH, STEVE MCNAMARA, SAYING: "I was probably most impressed with his (Israel Folau) defence and I spoke before the game about that there's clearly going to be an attacking threat but his defence was great.
For him to play his first game of rugby league and you know, only trained for probably 10 days with the team in total, you know to come up with that sort of defensive performance really gives us encouragement going forward with him." 2.
VARIOUS OF STILL PHOTOGRAPHS OF FOLAU RUNNING DURING MATCH (MUTE) 3.
(SOUNDBITE)(English) CATALANS DRAGONS COACH, STEVE MCNAMARA, SAYING: "If I go to sign a player, I work out what type of person he is.
Is he a good person?
Is he a good player?
Will he add value to the team on and off the field?
Not judging him on any political or religious belief that he's got.
We said in the statement what we said, he will not repeat anything that was said whether you like that or don't like it, whether you agree with it or don't agree with it.
We quite clearly do not agree with it, we said that but that's it." STORY: Israel Folau took just six minutes to score his first try for Catalans Dragons as the controversial Australian received a warm reception on a victorious debut for the French-based Super League team on Saturday (February 15).
The ex-rugby union international, who was sacked by Rugby Australia last year for his homophobic comments on social media and whose switch to European rugby league has outraged many in the game, scored in his team's 36-18 win over Castleford Tigers.
In his first rugby league match for a decade, Folau's early score, after he had taken a high catch, was met with cheers from the home crowd at the Stade Gilbert Brutus in Perpignan and he almost scored a second before halftime.
Dragons' fans in the crowd of 8,886 chanted "Izzy!
Izzy!" when Folau scored his try and he was mobbed by his team mates.
At the end of the match, Folau held up his hands to the crowd in appreciation before stopping to take selfies and chat with supporters.
One woman fan said she had been asked twice to remove a rainbow flag by home stewards but there were no organised protests over his Super League participation, which have been promised by other clubs' fans when Folau plays in Britain.
The Catalans' signing of the 30-year-old, who scored 37 tries in his Wallabies' career, has been met with much criticism within the sport.
Earlier this month, the Super League's board voted to ensure they had greater authority over stopping similar "controversial signings".
Folau, who had been warned about homophobic comments previously, had his Rugby Australia contract terminated last May after saying on social media that "hell awaits" gay people.
In December, he reached a settlement with Rugby Australia after suing them for A$14 million for alleged religious discrimination.
Folau is set to play his first match in England against Hull at the start of March.
(Production: Alexandre Minguez and Pascale Antonie)