NSW Waratahs and Wallabies captain Michael Hooper says embattled teammate Israel Folau is in a positive headspace despite being engulfed in a storm of controversy.
An injured Folau hasn’t played since making a series of provocative posts about gay people that led to the superstar code-hopper being hauled in for a meeting this week with Rugby Australia boss Raelene Castle and Waratahs chief Andrew Hore.
The devout Christian was asked to consider the impact of any anti-gay posts might have after his public stance upset some of RA’s biggest sponsors, including Qantas and ASICS.
But he is refusing to back down, on Thursday night posting another comment on Instagram confirming his strong religious beliefs.
“Stand with God no matter what. Don’t be afraid to stand up for the truth, even if it means that you will be standing alone,” the post said.
While Folau has received support from Waratahs and Wallabies teammate Curtis Rona, who posted “We stand with #IsraelFolau” on his Instagram account, Hooper said he hadn’t directly addressed the issue with the three-times John Eales Medallist.
“I’ve spoken to Izzy in a training capacity, pretty briefly. He’s been in getting his hammy right, which is coming along really well,” Hooper said on Friday.
“But, other than that, boys have checked in to see if he’s OK and he’s positive.
“His hammy’s getting better and he’s looking to get back on the field soon.”
Folau is due back in three weeks after tearing his hamstring in the Waratahs’ win over the Brumbies a fortnight ago.
Cuw
Guest
if feeling positive means taking on the boss .. :) Israel Folau hits back at ARU http://www.planetrugby.com/news/israel-folau-hits-back-at-aru/
Aligee
Guest
Pretty sure that many many thousands of Polynesian rugby players and many others of SA background and Aussie Anglo Irish players feel the same way who all play Rugby in this country from test to f grade. You going to ban all them as well ?.
Kirky
Roar Rookie
Folau's Wife, Kiwi Maria the Kiwi Netballer has backed her man as she would, ~ but all that does is it reinforces the fact that that ''Israel the illustrious" is nothing but a homophobe'! ~ There is no place in rugby for those people, particularly when they quote passages from the Scriptures of the particular Religion they both espouse! ~ If Australian rugby had any commonsense, they'd get rid of him, he's fraught with disaster with all his hangups etc! ~ eg: Sponsorship!
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
I have the same right, and possibly a moral responsibility not to move on. By skipping over it it makes you an apologist and a sympathizer. Foolau needs to continue to feel the burn of public outrage. Maybe he will repent and change his ways or his football code, I don't care which, as long as it is one or both.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Political spin: "Devout Christians" is supposed to be some sort of moral high ground. Call it what it is - he is a member of a bigoted, intolerant medieval cult. It completely changes the narrative.
Fionn
Guest
Piru, I'm feeling the same way. Certainly, he cannot remain the highest paid rugby player in the country, and RAs poster boy after the way that this has played out.
piru
Roar Rookie
Fionn, I assumed it was going to be a case of : "Issy stop that" "Yep ok" But he's decided he's going to keep at it - they can't keep him on if so
Doug Dew
Guest
Hate speech is not free speech. Homophobic speech licenses homophobic action. How many gay school kids, and gay adults on the street and in clubs have suffered mental and physical abuse as a direct result of Folau’s words? One is too many. He should never play for Australia again.
Fionn
Guest
I have. Have you? Do you honestly believe all Christians follow the old Testament to the letter of the law, and that all devout Christians believe it is literal and not a metaphor? I'm not saying that any particular Christian thinks a certain way, you're the only one here saying what all Christians must do, and how all Christians must feel. Have you ever read the New Testament?
Rugby Tragic Too
Roar Guru
Fionn have you read the old testament?
Akari
Guest
Are you suggesting that Nigel Owens is as narrow minded as Israel Folau? Thankfully for us rugby lovers, Nigel isn't. That's why he's been one of the best and most respected in the refereeing business for the past few years now.
Kane
Guest
Rugby Tragic Too so you're saying Folau is a hypocrite and not a devout christian? Well looks like we agree.
Fionn
Guest
No, Rugby Tragic Too, it is not up to you to decide what a 'devout' Christian believes. I get the impression you're not a Christian yourself? Do you know much about the religion? Even Wikipedia demonstrates 'Christians' are not as homogenised in their views as you think they are. You should google it, even Wikipedia has page with some info about the differences in opinion in the religion. It is 2.2 billion people with many different denominations, and they're not all the same, and even within those denominations people can have differences of opinion.
Rugby Tragic Too
Roar Guru
if they wish to call themselves devout, yes, there is only one thing they can believe, because its written in their religious text.
Big Daddy
Guest
Or matt cechin if he returns to league.
rebel
Roar Guru
RTS just signed a 4 year contract extention.
Fionn
Guest
You don't understand much about religion, do you? You're seriously telling all Christians what they have to believe?
Johnny Ventolin
Roar Rookie
Agnostics outraged when a religious person says they’ll end up in place they don’t believe exists. Ha ha ha ha ha! Nekminnit Trump will really ‘go nuclear’... no, wait
Rugby Tragic Too
Roar Guru
they have to its written in black and white if they don't believe that they are not devout is all nonsense anyway, anyone that doesn't believe it, doesn't believe it.... anyone that does believe it, believes it. so whats the problem exactly?
Fionn
Guest
Piru, this made me spit my coffee everywhere!