Israel Folau: Former Wallaby will make Tongan switch says coach Toutai Kefu

Coach Toutai Kefu has confirmed Israel Folau will play for Tonga as his side look to confirm a clash against the Wallabies before next year’s World Cup.

Disgraced former Wallaby full-back Folau will be one of the first high-profile players to use World Rugby’s eligibility law change.

Nationality switch

The law states that a player may switch nationalities if they have played less than 100 Tests, had a minimum three-year stand down from international rugby and has a parent or grandparent born in the country they wish to switch nationalities to.

Folau’s situation satisfies all three criteria and the prolific try-scorer is excited at the prospect of facing his former team after Rugby Australia sacked him for a homophobic social media post in 2019.

“I mentioned that to him (Folau) and his eyes lit up at the chance of playing the Wallabies,” Kefu told Fox Sports.

“Putting this team together for next year, a lot of the other players, players like Charles Piutau, I saw George Moala and Pita Ahki on Wednesday, Malakai Fekitoa, they all keep asking, is Izzy going to play? And I’ve said to them, of course, he’s bought in.”

The clash against the Wallabies is yet to be confirmed. Still, Kefu is hopeful it will materialise as it would be an apt way to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the famous match that saw Tonga beat Australia 16-11 at Ballymore in Brisbane in 1973.

“We thought we could get a game with them before they fly out to France,” Kefu said.

“We’re still working through a few things, so it still might happen.

“But you’re right, it’s the 50-year anniversary of that match.

“That happened at Ballymore and we would have loved to have had that game at Suncorp.

“That team, they still talk about that side in the streets and the bars, to beat the Wallabies back then was something else, so it would have been a fantastic opportunity to celebrate it.

“It would have been great timing before the World Cup.

“It would be a great occasion to celebrate Tongan Rugby Union history.”

The game taking place is a priority for Kefu who is not worried about who plays for the Wallabies but feels it will be a special occasion considering the number of Polynesian players that have donned Australia’s gold.

“Even if it’s not the full strength team, maybe it’s the guys on the fringe,” he said.

“We don’t care who plays.

“We’d be full strength, but something to mark the occasion and celebrate the particular moment in history, I think we’ve led the RA a few good Tongan players over the years.

“I think they owe us one.”

Rugby Australia CEO Andy Marinos would love for the game to take place; it is a matter of aligning a window for the clash in what is a hectic year already.

“I think the biggest challenge next year is to find a window,” he said.

“It’s a pretty condensed season. It’s subject to availability, but it’s probably a preliminary conversation at this time.”

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