Israel Folau says he won’t change his attack on the aerial contest despite his ban, but has called for more clarity on the laws in that area.
The Wallabies fullback received a one-match suspension from World Rugby for his mid-air challenge with Ireland Captain Peter O’Mahony in the final Test in Sydney.
Folau missed the NSW Waratahs’ crucial Super Rugby away win over Melbourne, but will be back for Saturday’s home game against the Sunwolves.
While disappointed by the ban Folau was adamant he didn’t need to change his approach or technique.
“I’ll still keep attacking the ball the way I do,” Folau said.
“I think going forward I’d like to see a little bit more clarity within that particular area of the game, not only for myself, but other players are involved in those aerial contests – I think it’s vital and very important.
“I’ll keep being persistent with the way that I attack the ball in the air and do it in a way that’s obviously fair and clean.”
His wife and New Zealand netball star Maria Folau posted a tweet with a video of her husband being challenged by Ireland counterpart Rob Kearney accompanied by the question “Is this not deemed as dangerous/foul play??”
Asked if he was frustrated by any inconsistency over the laws Folau said “Across the board, I think people feel that way.
“It’s obviously out of our hands as a player to clear those things up.”
Folau is acutely aware of the potential dangers involved in an aerial contest.
“Although I agree with what (Waratahs coach) Daryl (Gibson) is saying, there has to be a responsibility on the player that’s lifting him to bring him down safely, and everyone understands, when you go into a contest in the air, you are going to make contact with the opposing player,” Folau said.
“It’s not going to be always clean in the sense that there won’t be any contact, but I understand the dangers of being in the air.
“The last thing you want for yourself or for the opposing player is for anyone to get any serious injury.”
Asked about using his hands or arms in an aerial contest Folau said “I guess that’s the argument, that from my point of view, when you are gong up for a high ball, everything is judged on the flight of the ball in the air and decisions change in the air.
“So when you are going for a one-hand tap back, the other hand is obviously going to be placed in a position where it’s trying to counter-balance your hand that’s tapping back, so it’s a natural movement, which is what I’m saying.
“You’ve obviously got to be wary of that whilst you are in the air, but I won’t be nervous going up into the air, going for those high balls or have a second thought about the way that I attack the ball in the air.”
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Yea, in the video she posted it shows a banner at the top saying it was a penalty for tackling player in the air. As Folau didn't really land badly its a penalty. The foul is the same, more or less, and so then the out come is used to determine sanction. Folau landed "safely", penalty only, POM landed on his back so YC, BB landed on his head so a RC.
piru
Roar Rookie
Mrs Folau misled me
jeznez
Roar Guru
Is the Kearney one from the start of game 1? He got penalised.
piru
Roar Rookie
Don't dish it out if you don't like it back Drongo You claimed the photos were faked / photoshopped That's a fact
Canetragic
Guest
Bare arms. He needs to roll up his sleeves
Drongo
Guest
Personal abuse. More join in. Typical. There were several faked images going around the net. The conclusions were fake in any event. ‘Claw-like grip’. In 4/10ths if a second. Yeah, right.
piru
Roar Rookie
I don't think it needs "clarification" though - the Kearny job was straight out a missed call - they should refer to it as such. I agree 100% that the result of the play is what makes them go back and have a look, I hope this will change. I imagine the ref coaches and bosses are issuing just such instructions for the next tests,
Orange Fuhrer
Guest
That's what all New Zealand wives do don't they Jacko? She`d be used to that, being passed down through the genarations and all.
Sage
Roar Rookie
Fair response. If he is being grabbed in the air which he is and was by Kearney for instance, it's reasonable for him to ask for clarification. Kearney did it to him with no consequence but he was penalised, yellow carded and then sanctioned. Clarification is reasonable in that situation. My belief is that it comes down to the landing. If a player falls badly they look closer and why I think Kearney got away with what he did as Folau didn't fall awkwardly. I don't think he's saying "too bad that's how I do it", more "what is the difference to when I get grabbed". It will be more of a Ref focus now for sure and opposition teams will use Ireland as an example of how to try & reduce the effect of his aerial ability using lifters at kick off. I don't think they will just let him off next time Piru, no, but I think there will be more consideration of the situation before a decision is made. As to whether penalties flow the other way when it happens to him, we shall see.
soapit
Guest
respect dave, many levels
Jacko
Guest
So he spends around 8 hrs in a judicial hearing and doea not know what uit is he did wrong....No wonder Mrs Foalu has to do his talking....She probably does his reading for him as well....Now she needs to do some teaching to him...like what not to do when in the air going for a football
piru
Roar Rookie
Sage I'm using the rhetorical 'you' - not referring to you personally. Point is, the ref decided he broke the law, whether other players do it too or not doesn't really matter and it's not up to him to 'have the laws clarified' - they are clear, don't play the man in the air. His job is to play the game within the laws, if they are straight out telling him "you can't do it that way" he'd be better off adjusting his technique than saying "too bad that's how I do it". You think they'll just let him off next time?
Misha
Guest
I think Folau should hide behind his wife and let her do all the talking..oh hold on!
Sage
Roar Rookie
I'd agree with the sentiment if that's what I said. Clarification of the situation isn't me saying I should be allowed to speed. Not a bad analogy but not quite. I don't think it's as black & white as many say. I also don't think I'm blind, totally unobjective or arrogant in questioning the groupthink.
taylorman
Roar Guru
True, because the speed you're doing in that photo is zero kph...not over the limit is it? Personally I think Folau should just get them to ask for forgiveness, for they know not what they do...
piru
Roar Rookie
Sorry Dave, coming back to this as I don't think it got enough credit - bravo!
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Next time I get pinged by a speed camera I'm going to argue that they cant tell I was speeding from freeze-framed real time events and the photo can't be relied upon; they need to go back and view my driving in real time.
MitchO
Guest
Folau got in trouble for grabbing the guy on Folaus way down. It is a bit like you put hands on someone when you are moving through a crowd. But with the physics involved clearly it can cause trouble for the touched. No problem contesting the ball and with his rep he should always have a strong argument that he's a fair chance of catching it but hands off that includes no brushing the other guy with your hands. If Izzy truly believes he is innocent then his coaching staff better get onto this quick. I do think they can and should ban lifting in general play though. You are not allowed to jump in a tackle so why not no lifting since it does seem to be dangerous. Although like the inital lineout days players will attempt to disguise the lift as a support once the player already in the air. That kind of lift for the young or the non iineout forwards is very much like a brush. You kinda brush your man up giving him a bit of a boost.
piru
Roar Rookie
Yes I'm sure the police would love to hear your opinion on why you should be allowed to speed because everyone else does.
Sage
Roar Rookie
If others are speeding around you but you seem to be the one getting pinged I can see why you'd perhaps ask for clarification. Reasonable.