Israel Folau's hopes of returning to rugby league have been skittled after the Tongan National Rugby League's international membership was suspended.
During a phone call yesterday night, the Rugby League International Federation board voted to cancel the Tongan National Rugby League's registration in a decision which will have far‑reaching affects for the country's upcoming international matches.
It also ensures that Tonga’s top players including Jason Taumalolo, Andrew Fifita, and Will Hopoate to abandon their plans to boycott the Mate Ma'a Tongan’s Tests against Australia and Great Britain and the World Cup Nines.
Kristian Woolf, who was sacked as coach last month, is also expected to be reinstated.
The National Rugby League, who controls the World Cup Nines tournament, has said that Tonga will not be allowed to play in the October 18‑19 tournament unless an interim board takes over the national side.
The Tonga National Rugby League released had released a statement on Monday saying the former Storm and Broncos star and his younger brother John, who played eight NRL matches for Parramatta in 2015 16, had made themselves available for Mate Ma'a Tonga.
[Source:NZHerald]
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