SM
Ipswich vs. Man United: 11 hrs 54 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Israel Folau offered to play for Tonga after Australia axe

:Headline: Israel Folau offered to play for Tonga after Australia axe: ID:361895: from db_amp
Folau's brother John is set to be named in Tonga's squad for this year's World Cup.

Israel Folau has been offered a route back to international rugby with Tonga.

Folau currently finds himself in the wilderness after his contracts with both Rugby Australia and club side Waratahs were terminated after he posted homophobic comments on social media in April.

The 30-year-old has since instigated legal action against the governing body and is understood to be demanding damages in the region of 10million Australian dollars.

There is, however, an international lifeline for Folau, should he wish to choose it, being offered by Tonga coach and 60-times capped former Wallaby Toutai Kefu.

Folau, centre, in action against Wales (David Davies/PA)

Although Folau has represented Australia, there is a loophole that would allow him to play for Tonga.

Folau would have to sit out international rugby for three years before taking part in an Olympic sevens qualifying tournament, which in turn would allow him to compete in the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, Kefu said: "We'd love to have him ... the next World Cup he'd be available for us hopefully.

"It's a long time away, so we'll let the dust settle a bit after his most recent issues.

"We don't even know if he's going to play again. He hasn't indicated where he is going, so we'll wait until the dust settles and then look at those options.

“We'll let the dust settle a bit after his most recent issues”
- Toutai Kefu

"He'd have to sit out three years and then even after that we'd have to re-qualify him through a sevens Olympic qualifying tournament."

A factor behind any potential decision is that Folau's brother, John, is set to be named in Tonga's World Cup squad over the next few days.

amp_article__361895 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-06-13 10:21:27:
html db last update - 2019-06-13 10:21:27 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Israel Folau

Click here for more stories about Tonga

Share this article now:
Read more about Israel Folau Rugby Union
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Crystal Palace121561017-78
19Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
20Southampton11119721-144
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .