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There are a number of unwritten rules in sport. You don’t slag off your coach in front of the media, celebrate after scoring against your old club or let an opponent know you’re injured.
Oh yeah, and when changing codes, you should always make sure to take a massive dump on the game you just left
So what’s doing Izzy?
It’s been a few days now since Folau shook hands with the Waratahs and, as of yet, he hasn’t started slinging the muddy stuff at the AFL.
Which is dashed unsporting I think.
For years now both rugby league and rugby union fans have had to put up with players trotting out lines more predictable than a scrum win with the feed after making the switch between codes.
The rugby league star moving to rugby union would wax lyrically about how he was sick of going from “Penrith to Campbelltown” and would now be wowing them “In Paris and Cardiff… wherever they are”.
Upon returning to the 13 man game, the player would then whinge about not fitting in rugby, not getting enough ball and how no one spoke English in Paris.
But, now it’s Aussie Rules’ turn to cop the royal dressing down from the departed, and wouldn’t you know it, they’ve got off Scott free.
Not a peep. Folau couldn’t even take the time to scour the internet forums to find a few stock standard jokes about short shorts and points for missing!
Seriously though what should just be a common courtesy, not ripping on an organisation that has put another level on your house, has become a simmering conspiracy in the last couple of days with regards to Folau.
It started with a rumour doing the rounds that Israel was going to open up both barrels on the AFL following his stint with GWS. Yesterday this morphed into a story that part of Folau’s decision to choose the NSW Waratahs over an NRL club was that he was going to be asked by rugby league’s powerbrokers to attack the AFL, in particular his infant former club.
Of course with the way things panned out and the Waratahs cutting in on the dance, it’s difficult to know where the truth lies in this matter – be the rumours just something Kevin Sheedy baked up in between recruiting some Peruvian full-forwards or in fact an NRL plot more dastardly than the face of the game curse they inadvertently invented.
Either way, while the new breed of alpha athlete like Folau may test the patience of fans with their gun for hire mentality, the way Israel has so far accepted his limitations in Aussie Rules without the need to bag the game as he exits is one thing he’s done right so far.
Sure maybe I’m over estimating the bloke. Maybe he’s just taking the time to consult with funny man Beau Ryan before roasting the game with the red ball. Or maybe just waiting for that first Tahs cheque to clear.
I for one hope not though, and that Folau is instead raising the bar for his fellow code hoppers. Because if these players really want us to respect their personal decisions, they should make sure they show the same respect to our sports when they jump into the sack with another game.
Because after all, even unwritten rules are made to be broken.
Follow Chris on Twitter @Vic_Arious
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