Israel Folau

Former Wallaby Toutai Kefu is the Tongan Head Coach, he says Folau would be welcome in his team.

"I'd love that."

"I think he would get a lot of satisfaction out of playing for Tonga," he said.

Folau's parents are Tongan, but Kefu acknowledges World Rugby rules mean he would be unable to play on International stage for three years.

"He could definitely be available for the next World Cup (France 2023)," he said.

"If he does get dismissed by Rugby Australia, he could play in the UK or France, there is plenty of top level competition for him."

Rugby Australia had set down two days for the hearing over the weekend, both of which were held at the organisation's offices.

With the offices back to normal operation during the week, this third day is set to be moved to the offices of Herberts, Freehills and Mason in Sydney's CBD.

Rugby Australia said on Monday afternoon that a decision would not be made by the end of Tuesday, though it is expected to be the final day of the formal hearing.

Folau will be required to attend again.

Folau's future will be decided on May 4th at a hearing requested by the 30-year-old full-back following his dismissal.

It will be heard behind closed doors in Sydney by a three-member panel.

"I can't see him playing again for Australia," Howard told BBC Sport.

"[But] you can still be paid but not selected."

The Wallabies superstar has been charged with a high-level code of conduct breach following his latest controversial social media post, and will front a three-person panel at Rugby Australia HQ in Sydney.

The following day has been reserved in case the hearing runs into a second day.

Respected Sydney barrister John West QC will chair the tribunal, with Rugby Australia representative Kate Eastman SC and Rugby Union Players' Association representative John Boultbee the other panellists.

Wallabies international Folau, one of Australia's top players and most marketable athletes, wrote on Instagram that gays would be condemned to "hell" if they failed to "repent".

New South Wales Waratahs player Folau, an evangelical Christian, made similar comments last April.

Despite a season of controversy and offers to go overseas, Folau is understood to have pushed for a long-term deal in Australia, and Rugby Australia and the NSW Waratahs agreed despite a four-year extension taking him through to 34.

The deal is yet to be publicly unveiled but it is a matter of when, not if.

Signing through to the end of 2022 still leaves Folau a year shy of the Rugby World Cup in France but it will tally up ten seasons of rugby in Australia, and almost certainly end any potential for him to resume playing rugby league.

Folau has been cited for a tackle in the air against Ireland, but it's not the contest for which he was sent to the sin bin.

Folau was yellow-carded in the 31st minute over a contest with Ireland skipper Peter O'Mahony, where the latter fell awkwardly and was stretchered off, but it was a kick-off contest earlier that caught the citing commissioner's eyes.

In both instances, O'Mahony was lifted by teammate CJ Stander, leaving him in a precarious place in the air, an issue Haylett-Petty suggested was more dangerous than any contact in the air.

Folau, a fundamentalist Christian, caused a stir earlier this year when he responded to a question on social media with the assertion that homosexuals were destined for "hell" if they did not "repent".

Pocock, meanwhile, was an outspoken advocate for equal marriage rights for same sex couples ahead of last year's Australian referendum on the matter and has in the past called out homophobic abuse on the field of play.

Speaking for the first time since Folau sparked a storm of controversy six weeks ago with the first of a series of divisive posts about gays, Cheika said anyone who disagreed with his religious beliefs — including homosexuals — should ignore them.

Speaking for the first time since Folau sparked a storm of controversy six weeks ago with the first of a series of divisive posts about gays, Cheika said anyone who disagreed with his religious beliefs - including homosexuals - should ignore them.

The code-hopping superstar has suffered widespread backlash for publicising his extreme views, with the Wallabies' major sponsor Qantas outraged and others including All Blacks halfback TJ Perenara pointing out Folau's profound influence on vulnerable youngsters.