Israel Folau Will Not Return to Rugby League With Tonga After Country’s National Body Was Suspended

Israel Folau of the Wallabies looks on during the Third International Test match between the Australian Wallabies and Ireland at Allianz Stadium on June 23, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. Matt King/Getty Images

Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter Beattie denies the decision to suspend Tonga’s international membership was based on an attempt to block Israel Folau’s return to the code.

Folau will not be considered by the Tonga national rugby league team Mate Ma'a; and a host of NRL stars including Jason Taumalolo, Andrew Fifita and Siosiua Taukeiaho will abandon plans to boycott the World Nines and upcoming Tests after a dramatic meeting of the Rugby League International Federation (RLIF) board on Thursday, Sept. 26.