'Definitely interested': Israel Folau eyes 2023 World Cup with Tonga
Controversial former Wallabies star Israel Folau is reportedly eager to play for Tonga at the 2023 World Cup in France.
Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, ‘Ikale Tahi head coach and former Wallabies No 8 Toutai Kefu outlined his desire to bring Folau into the Tongan national set-up ahead of World Rugby’s vote on a potential eligibility law change later this month.
Rugby’s global governing body is set to meet on November 24 to vote on a proposal to allow players to represent a second nation.
As things stand, internationally-capped players cannot play for a second nation they would otherwise be eligible to represent unless they stand down from test rugby for three years and play sevens for their second country in an Olympic qualifying event.
Given the quadrennial scheduling of the Olympics and its qualification events, opportunities for players to switch between countries are far and few between.
Weigh in the fact that players have to play sevens for their second country to become eligible for said nation at test level, and that effectively rules out those who play at prop, hooker and lock, positions that aren’t suited to the abbreviated format of the game.
The difficulty of which to switch international allegiance has allowed only a handful of players move between countries under the Olympic loophole since it came into effect ahead of the debut of rugby sevens at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Those players include former All Blacks Sevens playmaker Tim Nanai-Williams, who joined Samoa ahead of the 2015 World Cup, and ex-All Blacks midfielder Malakai Fekitoa, who is eligible for Tonga after playing at an Olympic qualifying event in Monaco in June.
Former Wallabies duo Lopeti Timani and Cooper Vuna have also become eligible for Tonga in recent years under the current system, with the former set to make his test debut for the ‘Ikale Tahi against England this weekend.
Folau, who earned 73 test caps for the Wallabies between 2013 and 2018 before his contract with Rugby Australia [RA] was torn up in 2019 over divisive social media posts, could join that list following a discussion with Kefu about his international future.
Since his messy departure from RA, Folau has bounced between rugby league and rugby union, turning out for the Catalans Dragons in the Super League and Southport Tigers in the third-tier Queensland rugby league competition.
In July, the 32-year-old signed with the NTT Communications Shining Arcs to play in next year’s League One, formerly known as the Top League, in Japan in a move that will revive his professional rugby union career after more than two years out of the sport.
The Wallabies are looking for their “French connection” – Rory Arnold, Will Skelton and Kurtley Beale – to rip in against Scotland in their return to test rugby. #Wallabies #SCOvAUS https://t.co/P6Ajx4z5wC
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 5, 2021
That deal could also pave the way for a return to the test arena, with Kefu telling the Herald that he and Folau are equally keen on the utility back turning out for Tonga should World Rugby vote to alter its eligibility laws later this month.
“We’d definitely be interested,” Kefu said. “We’re not in a position to bypass players of Israel’s calibre. We’d welcome him with open arms.
“I’ve had conversations with him already in the last six months. I actually caught up with him just before he left to go to Japan.
“I explained to him where we were at in terms of what’s happening with this revisiting of this new eligibility rule. He totally understands it. I said, ‘If they overturned this straight away, you could be available for us next year’.
“He said, ‘Yeah, I’m keen to go’.”
This isn’t the first time Kefu has spoken of his eagerness for Folau, who was born in Sydney to Tongan parents, to play for the Pacific Island nation.
In the wake of his axing from RA, Kefu told the Herald that he would “love” to have Folau in his playing squad, a sentiment he reiterated earlier this week.
“I think everyone would react quite positively,” Kefu said. “To see one of the greats back playing rugby is a real bonus in itself. I’ll ring him straight after they decide on November 24.”
A change to World Rugby’s eligibility laws has the potential to benefit Tonga immensely as Kefu said there are a raft of star players capped by other nations that he could lure from around the globe to play for ‘Ikale Tahi.
Among the biggest names of those potential prospects includes former All Blacks utility back Charles Piutau, who played 17 tests for the All Blacks between 2013 and 2015 before leaving New Zealand at the age of just 23 for the riches on offer in Europe.
Now the world’s joint-highest paid player, Piutau – the brother of former ‘Ikale Tahi captain Siale – would join Folau and other players in bringing plenty of firepower to the Tongan national squad should World Rugby tweak its eligibility laws.
“We probably stand to benefit the most out of any country, only because we have a lot of players who have played for New Zealand and Australia who are now plying their trade overseas,” Kefu said.
Comments on RugbyPass
Sorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
1 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
2 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
2 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
3 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to commentsDon’t like Diamond but the maul is a joke, the sight of a choke tackle creating a maul then players in offside positions flopping on it killing the ball but then getting the put in? Banal.
3 Go to commentsHopefully Tabai Matson returns to Crusaders as head coach next season.
1 Go to commentsstorm in a teacup really. Penalty only so play on as the try was scored. Now the real question is: why was Maitland allowed to pass the ball off the floor? That is illegal but refs never pick it up.
1 Go to commentsWhen Beauden Barrett signed his contract before the 2023 RWC to play in Japan in 2024, it was NOT part of a sabbatical agreed to with NZRU prior to his signing, as was Ardie Savea and Sam Cane. Barrett changed his mind after the fact and negotiated his return to NZ Rugby and he was given permission to be eligible for All Black selection straight away once he signed a new contract to return to the Blues in 2025. Therefore, why would anyone argue against Whitelock returning to the All Blacks straight away after his season is France is finished if he signs a new contract with NZRU which includes a Super Rugby contract in 2025? If Barrett can, Whitelock should be allowed too.
10 Go to commentsThe All Blacks will select 5 locks this season. Scott Robertson will most likely want to select 2 veteran locks who can start right away in 2024 and 3 young promising locks who he would like to be pushing hard for selection in the starting XV in two years time- 2026. Scott Barrett is a world class lock. Who would you rather start beside him this season against England, South Africa, Ireland, and France- Sam Whitelock or Patrick Tuipulotu? I would choose Whitelock over Tuipulotu all day, every day.
10 Go to comments