Folau has 'no regrets' over anti-gay comments and targets Rugby World Cup return with Tonga

Controversial Israel Folau is "definitely interested" in playing for Tonga at next year's Rugby World Cup and has "no regrets" over the homophobic comments that ended his Wallabies career.

The devoutly Christian fullback - part of the Wallabies team that lost the 2015 World Cup final to New Zealand at Twickenham - was sacked by Rugby Australia in 2019 for saying that "hell awaits" gay people and others he considers sinners in a post on social media.

The dual-code international moved to Japan at the end of last year to resume his rugby union career after a brief return to rugby league, and he is hoping to take advantage of a new rule that allows him to represent the country of his parents' birth.

The New South Wales-born 32-year-old is eligible to play for Tonga and he told AFP that it would be "special" to make the switch after being sounded out by head coach Toutai Kefu.

"Representing your heritage and where you're from, representing your parents is something that is quite close to not only myself but to many other Polynesians," said Folau, Super Rugby's all-time top try-scorer.

"It would be a huge honour if I got the opportunity. We'll see if that opportunity comes about but I'd love to put the Tongan jersey on and represent Tonga."

'Moved forward'

Governing body World Rugby approved a landmark change to its international eligibility rules in November last year.

Players can now switch teams if they have not been selected for their national side for at least three years and have a parent or grandparent born in the country they wish to represent.

Folau meets that criteria, having won the last of his 73 caps for the Wallabies in 2018 before he was booted out for a "high-level breach" of Rugby Australia's code of conduct.

He said he