Tonga give rugby lifeline to Folau
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Israel Folau appears set for a stunning return to rugby league after reportedly being registered to play for Tonga in their two Test matches later this year.
The Tongan National Rugby League confirmed that Folau and his brother John will play in the Oceania Cup fixture against Australia on November 2 and the historic match against Great Britain.
Folau’s multimillion-dollar contract with Rugby Australia was terminated in May over a social media post in which he paraphrased a Bible passage, saying “drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists and idolaters” would go to hell unless they repented.
The star is currently in the midst of a legal battle over that decision but will play rugby league in the meantime, with Mate Ma’a Tonga.
“I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to represent God, my family, my heritage and the people of Tonga,” Folau told the New Zealand Herald.
“I don’t want to bring any of my personal matters into this and I am grateful that the IRLF have endorsed my availability.
“What I will do now is focus on playing great rugby league and do my talking on the field.”
Source: New Zealand Herald
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