Move by Tonga’s PM will end Israel Folau’s comeback with Tonga

Tonga’s PM has endorsed the removal of his country’s rugby league board which will end Israel Folau’s comeback.

Israel Folau’s comeback to rugby league is likely to be terminated should the Tongan Rugby League Board be replaced Picture: AFP

Israel Folau’s future in rugby league is set to become a minor side issue on Thursday as the Rugby League International Federation and Tongan Rugby League brace for a full-scale war that could end up being decided in the courts.

The RLIF will hold a phone hook-up on Thursday afternoon to discuss the future of the current Tongan Rugby League board, the expectation that they will attempt to establish an interim body with the support of the acting Tongan Prime Minister Semisi Sika.

The interim board would seek to bring back axed coach Kristian Woolf and almost certainly end any hope Folau had of playing rugby league for Tonga in upcoming Tests against Australia and Great Britain.

The RLIF is in possession of a letter from Sika that pleads with them to assist in providing stabilisation for the sport in Tonga.

“It is clear to the government of Tonga that the Tonga National Rugby League Incorporated (TNRL) has lost the trust and support of its members, the Tongan rugby league clubs, and the players who represent the Kingdom of Tonga,” the letter states.

“As a result of the actions of its board, TNRL will be unable to field a national team with its best Tongan players.

“However, we are deeply concerned that a failure to act quickly in the current circumstances will cause significant and lasting damage to the game of rugby league in the Kingdom of Tonga and to the standing of our national team.

“Accordingly, the Tonga Ma’a Tonga Rugby League Inc. has endorsed the Tonga Sports Council (TSC) as the new interim governing body for the game within Tonga.’’

ARL Commission chair Peter Beattie, the deputy chair of the RLIF, said the debate around Folau had clouded the real issue — the current state of Tongan rugby league.

Some of Tonga’s highest-profile players, including Jason Taumalolo and Andrew Fifita, have said they will not work with the current board.

Remarkably, Folau will after his father Eni brokered his return. Beattie insisted if the current board was deposed and the exiled players made themselves available, there would be no place for Folau in the Tongan squad.

“This story has been bent out of shape,” Beattie said.

“This is a disagreement in Tonga about Tongan issues. If I am forced to make a choice between current Tongan NRL players and a rugby union player I will support the Tongan NRL players it is that simple and I will make no apology for that.

“My loyalty is to rugby league. “

The current Tongan board say the same thing. They have legal advice suggesting they cannot be removed and backing their stance on Folau.

Secretary William Edwards warned that the RLIF would be making a huge mistake if they pressed ahead with plans to act against them.

He also made explosive claims that RLIF chief executive Nigel Wood held talks with the prospective new board in Tonga last week at the home of a convicted drug dealer.

It is understood Wood had no knowledge of the person’s past before he agreed to the talks. Edwards insisted the acting Prime Minister was likely to be removed on Monday and he had the support of his likely replacement to remain at the helm of the game.

“If they want to go down that path I am going to bring some fire and brimstone to this whole matter,” Edwards said,

“We have a written contract with the RLIF and they are seeking to breach this contract, It is a mess and if the RLIF had backed us, we wouldn’t be in this mess.

“If it goes to court they are going to be embarrassed. Tonga has been nothing but good for the game. Now we’re looking to becoming stronger and bring sponsors on board. They are trying to stifle us.

“I have never seen something so bizarre and insulting in all my life. That’s why we are digging in. My reputation is at stake. We’re going to court. I am not going to have my name tarnished by some people who think they can bully us.

“They have set themselves up to get smacked.”

Folau last played rugby league nearly a decade ago and Beattie and Greenberg have ruled out a return to the NRL following his sacking by the Australian Rugby Union for a series of offensive messages on social media.

He was quoted in a Tongan press release earlier this week saying he welcomed the opportunity to return to the game, the RLIF quickly dismissing claims that they had cleared him to return.