RUGBY UNION

Israel Folau to make international return with Tonga three years after Australia sacking

Folau had his Australia contract terminated in 2019 after sharing a post on social media that said “hell” awaits homosexuals
Folau had his Australia contract terminated in 2019 after sharing a post on social media that said “hell” awaits homosexuals
EPA/JAN TOUZEAU

Israel Folau will make his return to international rugby with Tonga three years after he was sacked by Australia over a controversial social media post.

The 33-year-old back, who is of Tongan descent, was named in the squad on Friday for the Pacific Nations Cup tournament in July and a play-off for next year’s World Cup in France.

World Rugby’s decision last year to allow players to switch their international allegiance if they had not played a Test for three years paved the way for Folau to represent Tonga, coached by former Wallaby Toutai Kefu.

Folau, an evangelical Christian, had his Australia contract terminated in 2019 after he shared a social media post which said “hell” awaits homosexuals and other groups.

The dual-code international then