Wallabies coach Michael Cheika insists Israel Folau’s views on homosexuality won’t be a distraction during the Test series against Ireland next month.
Folau posted on social media earlier this year that God’s plan for gay people was hell if they didn’t repent, igniting a public firestorm that forced Rugby Australia (RA) into damage control.
The situation reached somewhat of a detente after Folau met with RA chief executive Raelene Castle, although the divisive superstar later tweeted a link of a sermon warning against tolerating same-sex marriage.
Ensuing commentary has kept Folau in the headlines since, much to Cheika’s consternation.
Cheika, who will next week name a squad for Australia’s three-Test series against Ireland that starts in Brisbane on June 9, has spoken with Folau about the situation.
“He does understand it (the potential for his views to be a distraction), yeah, but what’s more important is that he doesn’t want to create that,” Cheika told reporters.
“He wants to play the footy he’s been playing the last few weeks, which has been awesome.
“I don’t believe it’s going to be an ongoing issue.”
Gareth Thomas, who won 100 international caps for Wales and came out publicly as gay in 2009, recently suggested Folau had put “a lot of people in awkward situations … Cheika is having to almost distance himself from a player”.
Cheika was cagey and cryptic on Wednesday in response to a series of questions about Folau.
“It’s not going to be an issue, because it’s not going to be ongoing. You can interpret it how you like,” he said.
“He’s definitely going to post stuff (on social media), isn’t that what that is for?
“But the right stuff, stuff he believes in.
“Maybe not everything I’m saying is for other people’s sanctification, it’s for me as the coach to get clarity on what is going to be happening inside the team environment.
“That’s where it is at and that’s where we will leave it, go on with the footy.”
Cheika is mulling a series of questions about his squad and indeed the XV that will face Ireland, most notably who will be at hooker in the absence of rested veteran Tatafu Polota-Nau.
“There’s four young hookers around the scene that we’re looking at, possibly even a fifth,” he said.
Cheika is confident Will Genia (knee) will be fit for the Suncorp Stadium showdown with world No.2 Ireland.
“Whether he can get himself back for a game beforehand with the Rebels, that’s what we are pushing for … but if he can’t, there won’t be any doubt about him being ready for the first Test,” he said.
Yogafire
Roar Rookie
Mate that’s the definition of the Australian side - for years. There was no Pocock in the side for that game and we had a lot of debutants (or recent debutants). NZ has been beating an AUS B side for years - what an achievement. Cheik is building depth through rotating enough players to find the AUS A side (the side that can win the World Cup and move Aus to number 1 ranking). It’s pretty clear - once you scratch the surface of the NZ team, an Aus A side has the ability to take on the NZ and beat them (see super rugby).
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
No Cruden, or B. Barrett No Retallick No Moody, Franks, Kaino, Ben Smith, Dagg.
Jason Vorhees
Guest
Well it was Foley.He cannot kick and is the Wallabies first choice 10 and kicker.A bloke they call the iceman . Is that because he melts when under heat ?
Bobo the Clown
Guest
I am Clown.yes I clown.
Drongo
Guest
The ‘reserve team’? What rot.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
I didn't mention the streak, nor did I say that the Tahs didn't deserve the win. What I am saying that, like the Rebels win over the Reds, it isn't a great metric to measure your side by. Games are 80 minutes long. The Victor is the team that has accrued the most points at full time. The Crusaders had a bad first half, The Tahs had a good one. A loss by 2 Points is still a loss. The Reds went down by 4 to the Canes, An equally impressive feat. Both teams earned 1 point on the ladder for their efforts.
Jacko
Guest
Or the 20 mins of 15 v 14 the champion Crusaders had against the lowly Waratahs. You know, the one where they merely escaped with a 2 point win. At home!!! i remember that game...Is that the one where the Tahs choked on a 29 point lead and then missed 2 easy shots at goal my daughter could have kicked?????
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Or the 20 mins of 15 v 14 the champion Crusaders had against the lowly Waratahs. You know, the one where they merely escaped with a 2 point win. At home!!! I guess if games that aren't 15 V 15 don't count the streak ended long ago.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
It was barely worthy the first time around. Are we seriously clinging to a 5 point victory against the Reserve Team. Next we will be saying that 15 on 14 is a fair fight and the Tahs victory against the Highlanders is significant, one for the ages.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Photo Shop, Here I come.
Ben
Guest
Geeeezzz rrrrrrsss...is this topic still running? Wish the Roar would keep a Wallabies victory over the ABs running as long.....
PeterK
Roar Guru
a cricket journo branches out into clickbait territory on rugby. Just can't let the issue lie. Lo rent journalism at its best.
piru
Roar Rookie
It's getting hard to tell satire from silliness isn't it?
Malo
Guest
Folau could wear a nazi outfit and nothing would happen. If you can walk the walk you talk the talk. Keep it up Folau and don’t get bullied by Joyce . The ra have to protect their tah stars.