The wife of Israel Folau has accused Australian Rugby League commissioner and former great Wayne Pearce of blocking the cross-code international's return to the NRL.
Maria Folau, a former New Zealand netball international, said her husband was set to play with Wests Tigers after being approached by coach Benji Marshall, before Pearce thwarted the signing.
The 37-year-old last played in the NRL in 2010, leaving for a brief failed stint in AFL and then switching to rugby and playing 73 Tests for the Wallabies.