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.

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