Wallabies back former teammate Israel Folau's rugby league return

Wallabies players have offered support for Israel Folau in his bid to play rugby league for Tonga, believing it would be a waste if their former teammate never plays elite sport again.

Folau is missing from Australia's Rugby World Cup campaign after being sacked by Rugby Australia and the NSW Waratahs in May, having posted anti-homosexual messages on social media that breached his contract.

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Despite Tonga's claim that controversial star Folau might make a sensational rugby league return and play for the Mate Ma'a was cast in doubt by the international governing body.

However, he doesn't appear to have lost the respect of experienced trio Christian Lealifano, Will Genia and David Pocock, who all wished the former star fullback well on Tuesday.

Lealiifano was particularly effusive, believing Folau would benefit from having a platform to showcase his undoubted skills.

"We're completely focused on here but it's nice to hopefully see him play some footy," Lealiifano told journalists in Tokyo, where they're preparing to face Wales this weekend.

"He's an exceptional talent and someone I feel would be wasted to not play sport again.

"It'd be nice to see him run around, it should be cool. And I am happy for him if he gets to do that."

Pocock is an outspoken gay rights campaigner and has previously described the impact of the fallout over Folau's homophobic views as "sad", believing rugby and all sport must be seen as inclusive.

However, he backed the sentiment of Lealiifano and Genia.

"My thoughts are the same as them, like, all the best to him. Mate Ma'a Tonga, hopefully they go well," Pocock said.

Former rugby league star Folau scored 37 tries from 73 Tests for the Wallabies and is regarded as one of their greatest attacking players of his generation.

The 30-year-old may yet fall short in his goal to represent Tonga, with the international rugby league governing body having rejected Tonga's claim that he has been cleared to return to the code.

Folau sacked

Four months ago Folau's lucrative contract with Rugby Australia was controversially terminated for breaching its code of conduct.

Folau, 30, was deemed guilty of breaching the code over his social media posts which claimed homosexuals are going to hell.

The deeply Christian player was sacked by Rugby Australia in May for posting on Instagram that "hell awaits" gay people and others he considers sinners.

However it seems dual-international Folau is now attempting a comeback via Tonga, who face Great Britain in Hamilton on October 26 and the Kangaroos in Auckland on November 2.