- Phil Waugh rules out fairytale return for Israel Folau
- Folau wanted to play against the British and Irish Lions
Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh has officially dashed Israel Folau’s hopes of a comeback against the British and Irish Lions later this year.
Six years after his explosive departure from the Wallabies, Folau revealed recently that he wanted to be selected in the trans-Tasman invitational side to play the British & Irish Lions on July 12.
Folau, 35, was sacked by Rugby Australia in 2019 after posting an explosive social media meme on Instagram that stated ‘hell awaits’ homosexuals and adulterers.
However, Waugh has firmly closed the door on the comeback.
‘It’s eligibility, essentially, we’re also not pursuing it,’ Waugh told News Corp.
‘With the Australia-New Zealand game it’s eligible Australian players and New Zealander.
Israel Folau revealed recently that he wanted to be selected in the trans-Tasman invitational side to play the British & Irish Lions on July 12
Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh has ruled out a comeback for Israel Folau
‘And for the First Nations and Pasifika game, it’s players who are in the Australian Super Rugby squads with the caveat that if there’s a challenge around the depth of team, then we can tap into the Moana Pasifika and Drua team. So yeah, it’s sort of pretty simple.
‘We’ve got a long-form agreement with the British and Irish Lions, which stipulates the rules around eligibility for the teams that we’re selecting, and in the spirit of good partnership, we’ll adhere to those rules, and these are ineligible.’
In late 2019, Rugby Australia publicly apologised to Folau for sacking him in what was a humiliating backdown to spare the embattled sporting body a lengthy court battle in which Folau sought a whopping $14million in damages.
Folau received a multimillion-dollar settlement – and has not played a professional rugby game in the country since.
The code-hopping superstar, who is still is plying his trade in Japan, last week explained why he’d like to make his comeback for the AUNZ Invitational XV to play the Lions on July 12.
‘If I was to get given that opportunity, it would be an awesome opportunity to play with guys that you used to play against, obviously the All Blacks, they’re world-class players,’ Folau told News Corp.
‘Getting a chance to run alongside them, and then obviously against the Lions, is huge.
‘I’ve always been proud of being able to put that gold jersey on to represent the Wallabies. I was fortunate enough to do it for a very long time.
The footy star (pictured with wife Maria) has not played pro rugby in Australia since his settlement with Rugby Australia
Folau played 62 Tests for Australia, playing his last in 2017, and scored 32 tries for his country
‘And I’ve got nothing negative against what’s happened in the past. I still love the game over there.
‘I enjoy the supporters and the fans. And if this was an opportunity that came about, it would be very exciting to play in front of Aussie supporters again.’
Folau’s sporting career kicked off in rugby league, where he played 91 NRL games for the Melbourne Storm and Brisbane Broncos.
He also featured in five Origin games for Queensland and represented Australia on eight occasions.
In 2010, he shocked footy fans across Australia by making a stunning switch to play AFL with the GWS Giants. Folau walked away from his multi-million dollar after just two years.
In 2013 he shifted to rugby, and was an international superstar with the NSW Waratahs and Wallabies until his dramatic sacking.
