Israel Folau has been offered a route back to test-level rugby as his controversial case with Rugby Australia continues.
The sports body moved to terminate the 30-year-old's contract following an anti-gay social media post.
Folau posted an image to Instagram saying that for gay people, "hell awaits you". It is not the first time that the Australian international has expressed such an opinion.
Last week, Rugby Australia hit out at the former international after his letter which included details of his code of conduct hearing and accused the body of leaking details was made public. They stated that Folau was "found by an independent three-member tribunal panel to have made multiple, serious breaches of the Professional Players Code of Conduct."
However, Tonga coach Toutai Kefu has opened the door for Folau to switch and represent them at the 2023 World Cup. For that to happen, he must sit out international rugby for three years and then participate in an Olympic sevens qualifying tournament.
Speaking to the Syndey Morning Herald, Kefu confirmed he is eager to secure the athletic winger.
We’d love to have him… the next World Cup he’d be available for us hopefully. It’s a long time away, so we’ll let the dust settle a bit after his most recent issues.
We don't even know if he's going to play again. He hasn't indicated where he is going, so we'll wait until the dust settles and then look at those options
Folau's brother, John, is also close to linking up with Tonga for the 2019 World Cup after he quit on his NWS Waratahs contract in solidarity.
