Wallabies coach Michael Cheika says Israel Folau’s “disrespectful” comments would currently make it impossible to pick the superstar for this year’s Rugby World Cup.
Folau remains stood down over his latest social media post proclaiming hell awaits “drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists and idolaters”.
Those remarks make it difficult for Cheika to envision the 30-year-old being part of the Wallabies’ plans for the tournament in Japan, starting in September.
“You wouldn’t be able to,” Cheika said when asked whether he’d be able to select Folau again under the circumstances.
Cheika, Wallabies and NSW Waratahs captain Michael Hooper and Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson all fronted the media in Sydney on Monday morning
Asked if he was comfortable taking the field again alongside Folau, flanker Hooper said “In this current state and being here and talking about this as a rugby player, it makes it hard, it makes it difficult.”
While emphasising what their teams stood for, especially in regards to diversity, they also stressed Folau was entitled to his beliefs.
“Everybody has the right – and we respect that right – to believe whatever they like, we’re not moral judgers and no one should be,” Cheika said.
“You take your friends warts and all, and your teammates,” Hooper said.
“It’s frustrating having to stand here because I can’t speak for Israel, but it is part of the team celebrating our diversity and celebrating that in a respectful manner.”
Cheika conceded Folau had crossed a line which was marked when the religiously-motivated Folau made similar tweets a year ago.
“Getting out in that disrespectful manner publicly is not what our team’s about,” Cheika said on Monday.
“When you play in the gold jersey, we represent everyone in Australia – everyone. Everyone that’s out there supporting us. We don’t pick and choose.”
Cheika didn’t think the issue would rear its head again after the controversy of last year’s tweets and Rugby Australia’s subsequent talks with Folau.
He had tried unsuccessfully to contact him for an explanation.
“We had a discussion at the end of the last time and made it pretty clear about his right to believe and our support in that if that’s what he wants,” he said.
“I felt that I needed to talk to him about why, and I haven’t had that chance as yet. I’m sure I will in the future at some stage when it settles down for him a little bit.
“I made the calls and left the messages. There’s no beef.”
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said Folau had a right to an opinion but had probably let himself down in the way he had done so.
“Even this morning I read he firmly believes it so he’s just missing one piece of the jigsaw puzzle, I think,” Hansen said.
The Waratahs, who play Melbourne Rebels in a big Super Rugby Australian conference derby this weekend, have sidelined Folau.
He has refused to back down from his social media attack and says he’s prepared to walk away from the game for the sake of his faith.
Magic Mike
Roar Rookie
castle and RA just offered a bribe of $1 million to Izzy to walk away from the game and the committee hearing but Izzy declined.
Sonny Bill Who
Guest
Tell you who has come out of this beautifully is the RA boss. That masterstroke of only informally discussing with Folau about not speaking his mind on social media was sublime. As we have been told repeatedly on these forums this is simply about contract law. Nothing else. Not to mention the decision to send out those paragons of virtue, such as N.Phipps. That was poetry in motion in terms of issues management. The RA boss and Check-Mate have presented a masterclass in professional sports administration and management. Well done to all involved.
clipper
Roar Rookie
That is not hypocritical - they're public holidays, everyone can take them and don't have to partake in any religious celebration. Would Muslims taking the days off be hypocrites? Are non Unionists hypocrites for taking off Labor day?
clipper
Roar Rookie
Please don't assume what I am thinking or what I am. Please also note that I asked if you believe the white heterosexual male should have the same rights as everyone else. Nowhere did I mention should they atone for past wrongs of that group, because, as you say most don't have any responsibility for.
Magic Mike
Roar Rookie
wow. the captain is so rich
Magic Mike
Roar Rookie
if those gay community and RA are so offended by Folaus’s Christian believes, they should not take public holiday on christmas and Easter. it would be hypocritical of them to do so.
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
Concerned Supporter..... I think that would be a perfect job for Mr Folau after his enforced sporting retirement. He could do that in between persecuting harmless minority groups. In fact the 2 jobs go hand in hand :)
ethan
Guest
What's the point of starting an argument that neither you nor I can prove? Because you know I was winning the old one, so you're looking to try and discredit me in other ways. Nice try. Too bad I've called you on it. Now you just look silly.
enoughisenough
Roar Rookie
Am I correct in assuming Clipper, that you are, yourself, a privileged white male? If so, rest assured that you are very welcome to personally atone for whatever guilt you feel. How about you start with giving up your house to someone indigenous? You no doubt feel that they were unlawfully dispossessed, so please lead from the front on these issues. Unfair treatment of minorities - yield your work position to someone who didn't have generations of privilege in their favour. Don't hold back, you will no doubt feel better once you've unburdened yourself of the horrible guilt you have. Just don't include me, I don't feel guilty because I'm not responsible for what has gone before....What is it with all the self loathing and virtue signalling these days?
clipper
Roar Rookie
James Jones - do you think the white hetrosexual male should have special privileges, like they have for many years, or do you believe they should have exactly the same rights as any other group?
Dezza
Guest
KP .. Busted..
Gloria
Roar Rookie
Ok, no problem. We disagree on what constitutes actionable discrimination.
Wadsy
Guest
Not unless Samu Kerevi posts an instagram message exactly like Folaus, but he understands that money talks and the bible balks.
concerned supporter
Roar Rookie
Does the Assembly of God have someone similar to the Pope who is infallible on Religious Dogma? In 2007 the Pope declared there was no Limbo after 800 years, there is currently discussion in the Vatican that he may declare that Purgatory & even Hell are different as described in the Old Testament.
Patto
Guest
But men are not allowed to please men in the bible. Who lacks moral courage? I don't know what you are referring to or trying to convey mate. Speak in modern tongue. I don't understand your garbled message. Please start again.
Patto
Guest
BlouBul . What did Folau get out of it ? What`s his agenda ? Why say it ? Why don't others with his beliefs in the Wallabies say it ? Because they understand RA inclusion policy. That's why. Hey Bloubul , if you are still employed i want you do me a favour tomorrow, send an email to all your colleagues at work and clients telling them that they will all go to hell if they don't do something " you " want them to do. Let me know how that works out for you mate.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Maybe not in your world but in mine it sure looks like a duck. Predjudice and discrimination are two sides of the same coin. By calling on gays to repent he has taken a prejudice and actioned on it by publically tweeting his views, views which are hurtful to many thus adopting a discriminatory position. No matter how much belief based justification he evokes to justify his stance it doesn’t change what it is. I think there would be some sympathy for him calling on murderers and thieves to repent but by grouping them together with the LGBTI community he has compounded the damage. It is just unacceptable.
tsuru
Roar Rookie
Agreed TWAS. And, as Nobes, Carlos, Fionn, and I were inferring yesterday - Folau is employed to leap ridiculously high and accurately to pluck rugby balls out of the ether, step off his right foot, and score tries. Not to act as moral and behavioural advisor to all and sundry. I really don't understand why people would look to somebody who excels solely as a sportsman to guide their behaviour.
Ouch
Roar Rookie
Cheika and Hooper should be well pee'd off with folau. Completely selfish act. Shame Hooper didn't give him both barrels. Ralene Castle stated explicitly: “It was made clear to Israel in writing and verbally when I met with him last year that any social media posts or commentary that in any way were disrespectful to people because of their sexuality would result in disciplinary action,” Castle said. “Despite this Israel has chosen to ignore this warning.” Yes, israel chose to ignore this warning; just a couple of months prior to a World Cup, knowing full well the ramifications to himself and more importantly, to his team mates. By this act of righteous sabotage he has shown he couldn't care less about his fellow players, his coaches and the wider rugby community. He's a grade A fwit. Great player but not much of a bloke. Hope he never dons a NSW or Wallaby jersey again.
concerned supporter
Roar Rookie
James, you say ''Qantas put A$4m into the ARU’s coffers each year,'' Think it would be a lot more than AUD 4 M. Qantas & Land Rover were the only ''Major Sponsors'', RA's Sponsorship Income in 2018, was AUD 25.4 Million. refer; ''https://issuu.com/australianrugbyunion/docs/2018_annual_report_web''