Israel Folau back

Phalangist

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great news!

Israel has made himself available for Tonga at the end of the year..

Rugby league wins if he comes back to the sport.

Hopefully greenturd doesn’t try and stop this
 

off-tap-robbie

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Former Wallabies star Israel Folau is to make a shock rugby league return for Mate Ma’a Tonga

Former Wallabies star Israel Folau will make his rugby league return on the international stage for Mate Ma’a Tonga.

The Tongan National Rugby League issued a statement on Monday afternoon confirming they had registered Falou and his younger brother, John, meaning both will be eligible to play for the rising league nation.

The Folau brothers will be available for selection in the upcoming Oceania Cup, which starts in October. Tonga are scheduled to play against the Australian Kangaroos on November 2nd.

However, neither will be allowed to play in next month’s World Nines tournament since that is run by the NRL.

In a statement Folau thanked the Rugby League International Federation for accepting his registration.

“I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to represent God, my family, my heritage and the people of Tonga” Folau said.

“I am thankful that the RLIF have accepted my availability to play.”

New Tongan coach Frank Endacott also welcomed the news.


“These guys are great footballers and bring size, pace and skill to the team.

“They will make a huge impact in the team and provide exciting attack options all over the park.”

Folau made his NRL debut for the Melbourne Storm back in 2007 and then joined the Brisbane Broncos in 2009. The prolific try scorer crossed the 73 times in 91 games over the four seasons he played in the NRL.

In 2011, the AFL poached the outside back and he was signed with this year’s grand finalists the Greater Western Sydney Giants. But after a less than successful stint, Folau moved on to rugby union and joined the NSW Waratahs in 2013.

But after 96 games for the Waratahs and 62 Tests for the Wallabies before Rugby Australia terminated Folau’s contract over homophobic social media posts in April.

Folau is currently tied up in a legal battle with Rugby Australia over his dismissal and is seeking financial damages.

His younger brother and outside back, John, played eight NRL games over seasons 2015 and 2016 for the Parramatta Eels.

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/former-wallabies-star-israel-folau-is-to-make-a-shock-rugby-league-return-for-mate-maa-tonga/news-story/319e064a043dada1b68878e222725133
 
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Sleeky

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I wonder if he has Bulldog DNA ?
 

Dingo

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Interesting. Hopefully opens the door for return to NRL 2020.
 

Psycho Doggie

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A decent shot in the arm for Tongan RL. Can't see him ever getting an NRL registered contract though.
 

Freakzilla

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Would take him at the Bulldogs 100%. Anything up to 700k a season.
 

Dogzof95

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Israel Folau’s bid to play for Tonga reportedly set to be blocked by RLIF

Israel Folau is trying to play for Tonga’s rugby league team. Picture: Jonathan Ng
Israel Folau’s bid to return to rugby league with Tonga could be short-lived, with the Rugby League International Federation reportedly set to reject the move.

NRL.com reports that there will be a strong push by members of the board — which includes ARLC chairman Peter Beattie and NRL CEO Todd Greenberg — to veto Folau’s comeback at an upcoming meeting.

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Israel Folau was sacked by Rugby Australia for homophobic remarks.
The TNRL issued a media release on Monday containing quotes from Folau where he claimed “the RLIF have accepted by availability to play”.

That has since been refused by Beattie who is the RLIF’s deputy chairman.

In a statement to Channel 9, Beattie said: “The RLIF board have made no decisions in relation to any registration request for Israel Folau. As a current member of the RLIF board as the ARLC rep I can assure you that this has never been discussed or mentioned around the board table.”

The NRL has previously stated that Folau would not welcome in the code, with Beattie saying in June this year: “Our position on Israel Folau remains the same.

“We are an inclusive game with respect for all. Israel has social media posts online that go against what our game stands for.

“As it stands, he will not be considered for registration. What Israel chooses to do in relation to his social media posts and his faith is a matter for him.”


Israel Folau.
The development comes four months after Folau’s lucrative contract with Rugby Australia was controversially terminated for breaching its code of conduct.

Folau, 30, was deemed guilty of breaching the code over his social media posts which claimed homosexuals are going to hell.

However the dual-international is now attempting a comeback to the 13-a-side game with Tonga, who face Great Britain in Hamilton on October 26.

The Mate Ma’a meet Australia in Auckland on November 2.
 

doggieaaron

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Arent most of the tongan players boycotting this current tongan board?
 

Scoooby

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Bit of drama surrounded him, but as a player/athlete yes would welcome him.
 

Psycho Doggie

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If he ever does get accepted into the NRL at least he won't join souffs, not so long as Gagai is there
 

Moedogg

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Fuck off Beatie... If he were to run a poll, the majority of the Pacific Islander players would say they don't believe in homosexuality....
 

Dognacious

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Would take him at the Bulldogs 100%. Anything up to 700k a season.
Someone had to say it I guess being the kennel....

He won't play NRL anything. He's banned for the foreseeable future, and doesn't have much time left in his career.

He will end up somewhere like Japan or French union where he will get paid more anyway.
 

Caveman

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Beattie and Greenberg wanna be careful that Folau doesn't go after them next.. to mention Folaus faith whilst giving a public briefing as to why the NRL will not employ Israel is probably not the best move.
 

Wahesh

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great news!

Israel has made himself available for Tonga at the end of the year..

Rugby league wins if he comes back to the sport.

Hopefully greenturd doesn’t try and stop this
You know, it's something else for Greenturd and Beattie to try and convince the RLIF to block him from playing... that's a new low!
 
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