Doubt has been cast over Israel Folau making a sensational rugby league return with Tonga after Peter Beattie revealed the international governing body hasn’t discussed the controversial star’s comeback.
The Tongan National Rugby League (TNRL) dropped a bombshell on Monday, claiming Folau and his brother John would feature in their end of year Tests against Great Britain and Australia.
Momentum appeared to build for the remarkable move when both Folau and new Tonga coach Frank Endacott also claimed the Rugby League International Federation (RLIF) had green-lighted a comeback.
However, RLIF deputy chairman and ARLC chairman Beattie said the move hadn’t been mentioned by the international body’s board.
“The RLIF has made no decision in relation to any registration request for Israel Folau,” he told AAP.
“As a current member and deputy chair of the RLIF board, (as the ARLC representative), I can assure you that this has never been discussed or mentioned around the board table.”
Beattie had previously shut the door on any attempt by Folau to return to the NRL.
It ensures Folau can’t play for Tonga in next month’s World Cup Nines which is run by the NRL.
And Beattie along with NRL CEO Todd Greenberg – who is also on the international body’s board – are set to stand in the way of Folau playing for Tonga in this year’s Tests when the RLIF put his return to the vote.
Beattie said back in June that former Brisbane and Melbourne NRL star Folau would not be welcomed back to league due to his controversial social media posts that landed him in hot water with Rugby Australia.
Four months ago 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 it seems dual-international Folau is now attempting a comeback via Tonga, who face Great Britain in Hamilton on October 26 and the Kangaroos in Auckland on November 2.
The TNRL published the Folau news on its Facebook page on Monday.
“I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to represent God, my family, my heritage and the people of Tonga,” Folau said in a statement.
“I am thankful that the RLIF have accepted my availability to play.”
Endacott, appointed Tonga coach just two weeks ago, welcomed Folau’s return.
“This is great news,” Endacott said.
“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.
“And it is good to see the RLIF approving these players for internationals – this is great for the game.”
It remains to be seen which players run out for Tonga in the end of year Tests.
The TNRL are in the midst of a bitter dispute between their board and a number of NRL stars, led by Jason Taumalolo and Andrew Fifita.
Over a dozen players have threatened to boycott the Test matches unless TNRL chairman George Koloamatangi and secretary Williams Edwards stand down after coach Kristian Woolf was sacked.
Koloamatangi said discussions were ongoing with several players.
“We will field a great team,” he said.
