Israel Folau is out of the World Cup. The former Wallabies star, who won the John Eales Medal three times, has lost his race to be fit in time to make Toutai Kefu’s Tongan World Cup squad.
Yet, in brighter news for the Pacific Island nation, lock Adam Coleman has been called up four years after playing for the Wallabies at the 2019 campaign in Japan.
Kefu, who will fly to France on Tuesday, has named a 32-person squad with a final player to be included ahead of the August 28 deadline.
The World Cup-winner said Folau was “devastated” to miss the tournament because of a knee-injury.
“This is the squad that will be taking us to the 2023 Rugby World Cup,” Kefu said in a statement.
“It’s a squad I’m very proud to coach and I know all the players are looking forward to representing their families and all Tongans around the globe with pride”.
“Unfortunately a couple of our brothers, Israel Folau and Telusa Veainu, won’t be joining us to due to existing injuries.”
Israel Folau will miss Tonga’s World Cup campaign with a knee-injury. (Photo by Pita Simpson/Getty Images)
Former All Blacks back George Moala was named in the squad despite being suspended for five weeks following his lifting tackle against Canada earlier this month.
“George Moala, with the reduction of his suspension to 5 weeks, will be able to join the squad mid-campaign,” Kefu said.
Moala has also been joined in the squad by former All Blacks World Cup winner Malakai Fekitoa and lethal outside back Charles Piatau.
Coleman, 31, played 38 Tests for the Wallabies between 2016 and 2019, including in their World Cup quarter-final exit.
Coleman’s father Pau’u Afeaki captained Tonga’s rugby team in 1983 while cousin Inoke Afeaki played in the 1995, 2003 and 2007 World Cups for Tonga.
The owl
Roar Rookie
A lot of people would like to see him "heeled".
The owl
Roar Rookie
Karma.
Jez North
Roar Rookie
:laughing: Fools like you try to rewrite history. Folau was a competent defender, not a non-defender or poor defender as you stated. His defence didn’t look good, nor did he make all of his tackles but he made plenty enough. He was an unbelievable player but morons like you attempt to cancel him and discredit him for his brainwashed beliefs. He’s been punished enough.
James in NZ
Roar Rookie
He just needs a firmware update, as those teachings missionaries first took to the islands have been updated for modern audiences and our corporate partners. The Bible, US Constitution both get flagged by AI as h8 speech now. The big guy himself would be cancelled for what he purported did to S.... and Gomorrah. Utopia is just around the corner, :happy:
USrugger
Roar Rookie
Yep. And it works. RA has their right to their 'free speech': bugger off, Izzy! (Certainly no pun intended¯\_(ツ)_/¯ )
USrugger
Roar Rookie
Nah. He was a hate-filled bigot & didn't keep it to himself. Used his rugby platform to spread it. Any corporation/entity would've done exactly the same. THIS is not on Joyce...a lot of other stuff, maybe. This is on Folau.
Kevin Kranston
Roar Rookie
Folau cant tackle.Tonga better off without him.
Footy Franks
Roar Rookie
Great player would have added a lot to the Wallabies RWCup if he wasn’t hounded out for his religious beliefs that didn’t suit Alan Joyce.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
He’s standing in for Moa (and another pedant from the West Island).
Wizz
Roar Rookie
Keyboard warrior is akin too the old racist accusation ,has presence has powerful connotation than overly used too insult instead of discuss and loses its meaning..
Wizz
Roar Rookie
Yes prob rash comment in hindsight because I do believe he had the right...It was the timing and context that annoyed me.RA is on its knees he is well paid I just thought lack of respect for loads on those comments but your right it's can or can't question and yes he can..
Keggy
Roar Rookie
Toutai is a good bloke, Folau naaaaaah.
Revok
Roar Rookie
It was gods will. :silly:
RURALOZ
Roar Rookie
Sounds like fair-weather speech to me. Free speech is binary you either believe it or don't.
jimmy jones
Roar Rookie
a shame another top player drops out.. hopefully no more
Loosey
Roar Rookie
I'm going to hyphenate for a while.
Nobody
Roar Rookie
I'm conflicted. I feel for Tonga. But as for Folau, after he chose anti-homosexuality and gay marriage as his hill to die on, any misfortune feels kind of karmic. On the one hand I don't wish him injuries, but I don't wish him good fortune either if he's going to spin it as god's will; too many others still look up to him. Maybe his god is punishing Folau for his stance on LGBTQ+ issues...
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
You’ve summed it up Loosey I’m putting a full stop on this Period
Loosey
Roar Rookie
On field punctuation is usually an automatic yellow while you’re sent for review by the grammar police. If it’s punctuation with full force and no mitigation, it’s upgraded to a red card. I’ve had a few reds myself.
Reds Harry
Roar Rookie
Good luck to Toutai and his squad. Some ungracious comments about Folau below. I despise what he did in 2019 to Australian rugby and in doing so broke his word and betrayed those who had supported him, but I'm sorry to hear that injury will prevent him from appearing at this years RWC. It remains a great pity that he wasn't fully fit in the latter stages of RWC 15 (picked up a leg injury in the pool rounds).