John Folau

The Tonga National Rugby League (TNRL) has issued a statement saying that Folau, and his brother John, have been registered by the body and are now eligible to play for the hugely popular Mate Ma'a Tonga.

TNRL chair George Koloamatangi confirmed both Israel and John Folau would play in the Oceania Cup fixture against Australia on 2 November and the historic match against Great Britain a week earlier.

However, neither player is available for the World Nines tournament in October to be played in Sydney because that tournament comes under the auspices of Australia's NRL.

Now it's potentially double trouble for the bottom-placed and soon-to-be-extinct Sunwolves, with Folau's younger brother John in line to make his NSW Waratahs debut at Newcastle's McDonald Jones Stadium.

John Folau, in his maiden season at the Waratahs after switching codes from rugby league, was promoted to the bench on Thursday after winger Curtis Rona was ruled out with a groin injury.

While Alex Newsome will start as Rona's replacement, the 24-year-old Folau is almost certain to be unleashed on the Sunwolves at some point in the second half.

Folau signed a deal with the Waratahs at the end of last year but didn't feature in preseason due to injuries.

The younger brother of Israel Folau will start on the right wing in Friday evening's clash against the Kiwis, one of 15 Waratahs players in the 28-man squad.

South African giant Le Roux Roets is also set to make a start after his Super Rugby chances were dealt a blow with concussion in the final Waratahs trial.

Former Schoolboys Will Harris and Will Harrison are also in the squad, the latter starting at fullback.