Wallabies star Israel Folau may have played his last game of rugby

Alex Broun 00:54 07/04/2018
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  • Israel Folau has painted himself and rugby into a corner with his comments

    For rugby fans across the globe especially those from Australia, the next statement will send shudders down your spine – Israel Folau may have played his last game of rugby.

    Still recovering from one scandal – ball-tampering – Australian sport has now been plunged into a second scandal with hardline comments from Folau on his Instagram account dividing the nation.

    Folau makes no secret of his devout beliefs and has no hesitation to express those beliefs – but not for the first time his strong stance has caused uproar among sectors of the Australian community.

    But these latest comments have caused great uproar not just in Australia but also in New Zealand where reports have emerged that he could be banned from entering the country.

    “There can be no doubt that he is a threat to the public interest and a threat to the public order,” said NZ’s former immigration minister Tuariki Delamere, who now works as an immigration lawyer.

    This could cause problems for Folau both personally and professionally as he is married to Kiwi netball star Maria Tutaia and travels to NZ regularly with the Waratahs and Wallabies.

    If a ban was to be enforced Folau would not be able to travel to New Zealand to take on the All Blacks at Eden Park in August.

    The firestorm was further escalated when Folau’s Waratahs team mate and Wallabies captain Michael Hooper defended his right to free speech.

    “We’re all different people and have different… beliefs and everyone is entitled to them” said Hooper.

    While Qantas, the team’s leading sponsor expressed their concern saying through a spokesperson “as a sponsor of Rugby Australia… we’ve made it clear that we find the comments very disappointing.”

    Rugby in Australia could not survive losing such a major sponsor.

    Now the game’s governing body has been forced to get involved and have called Folau in for a meeting.

    “Folau’s personal beliefs do not reflect the views of Rugby Australia,” RA said in a statement.

    It places new RA CEO Raelene Castle, brought in with a mandate to make the code more palatable after a horror 2017, in a very difficult situation.

    She cannot allow the comments to stand or rugby in the country will be thrown into another crisis, but Folau is highly unlikely to apologise or rescind the comments.

    In the end it may come down to an ultimatum with Folau forced to choose between a retraction or having his contract cancelled.

    Folau is a man of quiet pride and dignity and is also seen as a role model for many in his community. In these circumstances a retraction would be highly unlikely.

    The only option would then be to walk away from the game in Australia and continue his career in Japan or France.

    Or even return to Rugby League where the fans, sponsors and broadcasters would welcome him with open arms – no matter what he said.

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