'It's been awesome': Ex-Wallabies star Israel Folau primed for Tonga debut
Controversial former Wallabies star Israel Folau is primed to make his long-awaited return to test rugby when Tonga open their Pacific Nations Cup campaign this weekend.
One of many former international stars to be included in the ‘Ikale Tahi squad for the upcoming tournament in Fiji, Folau is joined in the Tonga set-up by former All Blacks trio Malakai Fekitoa, Charles Piutau and Augustine Pulu.
All four players are available to play for Tonga under World Rugby’s new eligibility laws, which allows test-capped players to represent a second country that they are eligible for via birthright following a three-year international stand down period.
That has paved the way for Folau to make his highly-anticipated return to the test arena against Fiji in Suva this Saturday, a prospect the 33-year-old outside back said he is eagerly anticipating.
“It’s been awesome to be in camp with the ‘Ikale Tahi,” Folau told the Tonga Rugby Union social media channels earlier this week.
“For me, to come back to the team, with the opportunity to connect with the boys, back with the culture, and also a big part of that is our faith in God.
“It’s been a great week so far, and we’re looking forward to spending time with the boys over the next five weeks.”
Folau’s return to the international fold has been a long time coming given it has been four years since he last played internationally, as he won the last of his 73 caps for Australia against England in November 2018.
Since then, Folau has been the subject of one of the highest-profile and most-documented sackings in the sport’s history when he was fired by Rugby Australia [RA] for making anti-gay social media posts in 2019.
Folau and RA reached an out-of-court settlement after the triple-code star sued his former employers for A$14m in what was the beginning of a long road back to the test arena.
Formerly an NRL star who also tried his hand in the AFL, Folau followed his dismissal from RA by returning to rugby league, where he turned out for the France-based Catalans Dragons in the Super League two years ago.
A season in Europe’s premier rugby league competition was followed by a brief stint in the third tier of Queensland rugby league, where he played for the Southport Tigers before signing with the Shining Arcs in Japan Rugby League One.
Despite a difficult campaign for the Shining Arcs, in which they finished 10th in League One’s top division and were relegated into division two after losing a playoff series against the Mitsubishi Dynaboars last month, Folau starred upon his rugby union return.
Scoring 10 tries in 12 matches, Folau’s prolific strike rate was reminiscent of his time in Super Rugby, where he remains the competition’s all-time top try-scorer.
That kind of form made it an easy decision for ‘Ikale Tahi head coach Toutai Kefu to call Folau into the Tongan national squad for the Pacific Nations Cup, which will be followed by a World Cup qualifier against either Hong Kong or South Korea next month.
“He’s fitted into the group seamlessly, he’s just one of the boys. He’s a mature young man who goes about his business,” Kefu told the Sydney Morning Herald.
“No-one’s really talked about [the past], he’s just looking forward and trying to be himself and fit in, which he’s doing seamlessly.
“The boys love him and, no matter who you are, this mob will bring you down to earth very quickly. There’s a lot of banter and laughter and that just builds our connection.”
Kefu will reveal his first Tonga squad under World Rugby’s new eligibility laws on Thursday, when he is expected to name Folau on the wing in an outside back trio that should also feature Piutau at fullback.
The new-look powerhouse Tongan outfit will then take on Fiji at ANZ National Stadium at 3:30pm local time on Saturday before they take on Samoa and Australia A at Churchill Park in Lautoka over the following fortnight.
Comments on RugbyPass
“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
24 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to comments