Israel Folau endures NIGHTMARE’s return to international rugby

Israel Folau’s return to international rugby lasted just half an hour as his Tonga side were beaten 36-0 by a clinical Fiji in their Pacific Nations Cup opener in Continued on Saturday.

The former Wallabies fullback was playing his first Test since being sacked by Rugby Australia in 2019 for social media posts deemed to be homophobic.

The 33-year-old had just one touch of the ball before hobbling with his side already trailing 19-0 in front of a crowd of just under 15,000 at the Fiji National Stadium.

The 33-year-old made his Tonga debut three years after being sacked by Australia

Benefiting from a rule change that makes it easier to switch allegiances, the visitors also fielded former All Black fullbacks Malakai Fekitoa and Charles Piutau but they were only served by the tonga pack.

Fiji, aided by combinations forged in Super Rugby with Fijian Drua, simply dominated from the set piece and the breakdown as they built a 22-0 half-time lead.

Lock Tevita Ratuva, winger Jiuta Wainiqolo and rookie center Kalaveti Ravouvou scored tries before the break, the latter after a signature Fiji move with pace, power and a series of offloads.

Full-back Seta Tuicuvu crossed in the 56th minute after a break from skipper Waisea Nayacalevu before winger Vinaya Habosi further enhanced his budding reputation by scoring his side’s fifth try on his Test debut.

However, he only had one touch on the ball and limped off after 30 minutes of action.

Former All Blacks center Seta Tamanivalu has also returned to international rugby after a five-year gap with the Fiji bench in the second half.

Earlier at the same stadium, winger Nigel Ah Wong’s last-minute try secured Samoa a 31-26 victory over Australia ‘A’ in the opening game of the three-week tournament.

Ah Wong intercepted Lalakai Foketi’s pass on Australia’s 22-yard line in the dying seconds and crossed unopposed for his second down to break a 26-26 deadlock.

Australian ‘A’, who led 19-7 at half-time, fought back to level the scores in the 76th minute thanks to a converted try from substitute scrum-half James Tuttle.