Israel Folau says he and his Wallabies teammates have rallied around devastated Western Force players leading into their clash with South Africa in Perth.
The Force’s time in Super Rugby is over after RugbyWA lost its Supreme Court appeal against the ARU’s decision to axe the franchise.
The current Wallabies squad contains five Force players: Dane Haylett-Petty, Adam Coleman, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Billy Meakes, and Curtis Rona.
Folau said the Force players were receiving plenty of support.
“It’s obviously pretty sad, this situation for the Force guys,” Folau said.
“We’ve been getting around them as best we can and giving them our full support.
“It’s a tough one. As teammates, we’ll always be there to support them and help them through.
“Especially throughout the week – making sure they’re going alright leading into the game.
“But for those guys, I’m sure their mindset is thinking entirely about the game on the weekend.”
Billionaire mining magnate Andrew Forrest has promised to set up a rebel rugby competition taking in teams from the Indo Pacific region.
Countries like China, Japan, Tonga, Fiji, Samoa, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia could be involved in the six-team competition.
Folau, whose parents were born in Tonga, said the competition could help build the game of rugby.
“Especially for the island countries, it would be a great pathway for them to get an opportunity to play at that top level,” Folau said.
“I guess it could be a gateway for them to open up other doors in the future.”
Folau said the recent 35-29 loss to NZ in Dunedin had given the team confidence they can match it with the best.
Ed Nixon
Roar Pro
I don't see Twiggy's new competition taking off. Would love to see the Force stick around but I'm not convinced
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
"Folau said the recent 35-29 loss to NZ in Dunedin had given the team confidence they can match it with the best." Hmmm I thought they lost...
Ex force fan
Guest
My view is that the Force players should not play in Saturday's game in sympathy for their team mates and fans. How can they represent the stinkers if that team is not representing the state they play for. They should get an opportunity to protest and mourn the loss of the Force.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Good to see Izzy say something worthwhile. Didn't know he was Tongan, the specifics aren't important, but to step up and support the idea of promoting rugby in his ancestral homeland is to be commended.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
The wording is clever. "Currently signed". The contracts are still current and I would assume the end date is Year end or the end of the NRC season. Beale and Ginea signed up for next year, they are Eligible now (Even without 60 tests) The Force hasn't been dissolved (Yet) It has just been exited from the SR competition. Players are still getting paid on SR contracts.
Crazy Horse
Roar Pro
The court ruling means absolutely nothing more than the EARU have the legal right to destroy the Force as a Super rugby team.
PeterK
Roar Guru
the eligibility is if you played super rugby this year. Technically Fardy is still eligible despite now playing in ireland. Next year they need to be signed to a super rugby team (or available ie not picked up but still being paid their contract by aru). Only if they sign o/s for next year will they be ineligible.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
Yes they are rallying around those Force players in the squad what about the rest of them ? Considering that the whole excerise was about trying to make the Tut Tahs and the Reds competitive I'm sure there is plenty of rallying and plenty of poaching going on . The only way that would work is to move all the Force players and coach to either place .
Go the Wannabe's
Guest
Good point, but they will probably back date the current rules from currently playing to previously played in a Super Rugby team.....and that team has to be the Force.....and it will only apply for this year, so it becomes irrelevant next year.
Patrick
Guest
Does the court ruling mean the the Western Force players are no longer eligible for Wallaby selection? I hope that the ARU will follow its own rules.