As the news came through that Folau was requesting a code of conduct hearing, I could hear the collective groans of RA, the greater rugby public and those that have stood against his views.
I have to ask again, Israel, what the hell? Or if you prefer heck, then I am happy to accommodate you. Speaking of accommodating, do you remember what you penned in an article after your first foray into making yourself God’s mouth piece? That you would accommodate RA, and happily tear up your contract.
Here it is in case you forgot.
“After we’d all talked, I told Raelene if she felt the situation had become untenable – that I was hurting Rugby Australia, its sponsors and the Australian rugby community to such a degree that things couldn’t be worked through – I would walk away from my contract, immediately.”
Well, there it is in ink Israel, your words not mine. Am I in a righteous position to now point the finger and call you a liar, someone hell bound?
I will again refer to your post from a week ago.
Look, it’s obvious I am being quite facetious here, and I don’t get pleasure writing another column about this episode but this whole incident is becoming laughable.
Israel Folau (Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images)
In spite of what occurred last year, you felt the need to post something hurtful again. Not only taking aim at homosexuals but also drunks, thieves and others. Why does someone who drinks to quieten the horrors of war or dilute the memories of sexual abuse need to repent, or a thief who steals because they are hungry for that matter?
I would love to get into a theological back and forth with you but your faith is so dangerously black and white I doubt your blinkered view would ever open.
Still, I ask why now? Why this time are you pursuing recourse, when you have made a statement previously that for the good of the game you would walk away?
The $3 million for the next three years, or do you actually think that your position is still tenable with a Wallabies or Waratahs setup?
I suspect it is the former, and I actually don’t blame you. Most people will never earn $3 million in their lifetime.
Having this opportunity given to you, as a result of what is wildly been reported as RA’s failure to insert a relevant clause, puts the exit door in Raelene Castle’s view.
Speaking of Castle, a large portion, if not all, of the blame belongs to her. This incident should have finished with the tweet, “Folau sacked for breaching contract”.
As this drags on, I write this with love. Not for you but for a diverse, 2019 Australia. An Australia that does not want those who have no choice, or a limited choice in what life delivers for them, that they are going to hell.
Jimbob
Guest
So just quoting the Bible is now a sackable offence in Australia? Wow, that’s one messed up country you are creating. Think it through: when other less easily intimidated religions start on the same tack, how does that play out.
Redbeard
Roar Rookie
Hi Rucking, have you actually seen his initial post? It is not just the “poster” Politics, sport and religion do not mix, but there are basic rights that cannot be ceded to others. Even if Folau looses at the tribunal/Federal/ High courts, there are always other international bodies. Yes that is a lot of dispute!! If I was wearing a parochial Reds hat , I’d be very glad to see Izzy our of the Waratahs; but wearing my citizen of Australia hat, I fear for the sort of Australia, we will have if Izzy is exiled form rugby. If someone can loose their job because of their religious views , that is a very slippery slope. Btw if the Tahs don’t want him, it would be great to see him come back to Qld https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-12/israel-folau-conflicting-human-rights-tracey-holmes/10996228
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
How can quoting from the Bible bring the game of Rugby into disrepute? 1. Folau didn't quote from the bible. 2. Where have you been for the last year or so ? How much more disrepute to you want ?
Grandslamfan
Roar Rookie
Good point. I hadn't considered that additional conflict. Your point raises another personal issue regarding the professional conduct and conflict associated with IF financial advisors and his Church? I wonder where his manager/agent fits in this complex web?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Who said Folau doesn’t have the right to seek it?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Not in the contract. But clauses could have been updated in the guidelines that his contract is subject to. Unless they were adequate already.
Simoc
Guest
Israels advisors may well be the " Assembly of God" sect he follows. They turn up for gatherings in their business suits and ask for money over and over again. Probably Folau has all he ever wanted but the Assembly will never get enough dollars to satisfy the business of their God.
Grandslamfan
Roar Rookie
TWAS Couldn't new and approrpriate clauses have been inserted in the new IF Contract in February 2019 for the sake of clarity?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Thanks for not even addressing the comment...
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
Cameron Clyne/Raylene Castle: "RUPA, if things keep going like this, we will lose sponsors and our capacity to overpay players" RUPA: "But you said before, the same sponsors loved players raising their profile, via active SM" Cameron Clyde/Raylene Castle: "We've read on The Roar that apparently RA not its sponsors runs our shop. Also, our risk management team, has pointed out, that chasing every last dollar, can have some downside."
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
Hi AK I understand it may well be telling you that. It tells me something entirely different. Cheers/Respectfully KP
Aussikiwi
Guest
That might be telling you somethimg about how most people feel about IF repeatedly telling a sectiom of the community that has historically suffered horrendous discrimination that they will go to hell just because of whom they choose as a partner.
rebel
Roar Guru
Pretty clear there is more than just one group telling others what their opinion should be.
Redbeard
Roar Rookie
Isaac if Izzy gets crucified , kicked out the game for quoting from the Bible, it will blatantly demonstrate the hypocrisy of RA , many commentators and many of the general public. Beale, Slipper and Hunt have all been guilty of far greater “sins” against themselves , the community and the game of rugby, with Beale perhaps the greatest perpetrator for his role in the departure of Ewan McKensie, who was perhaps the most knowledgable and potentially the best coach Australia has produced since Alan Jones. Izzy’s post was about all “sinners” repenting to a loving and accepting God. And I think his list of sins would cover about 99+% of the population . The Christian church is not about fire and brimstone, it about acceptance. And in Izzy’s way , he was opening his arms and offering acceptance. Now on a totally different angle, there are certain basic human rights, which believe it or not originated in the Magna Carta, which have been entrenched in law into the Australian and American Constitutions , the American Bill of Rights and the Human Rights Charter of the Individual of the United Nations and these laws remain regardless of both church and state. And freedom of religion is one of them. It means that Izzy may stand on a soap box and preach, he can start a news paper and publish on religious issues, and in this day and age,I’m sure the progressives would agree , he can post on social media. An open and progressive society means all voices must be heard. One cannot create such a society by not allowing another the right to express their point of view. Also one cannot “give away” your basic human rights in an employment contract. I can’t offer you a contract that states BTW all your common law rights are now null and void, and even if I did and you still signed, your basic rights would still be there. The same holds for Izzy. According to a Wayne Smith article, Izzy signed a contract without the social media restriction, but refused to sign one with the social media restriction inserted. And, Castle then continued to let him play , hence knowing his strong views. How can quoting from the Bible bring the game of Rugby into disrepute? Posting images and comments on social media aimed at bringing down a coach, IMO however, certainly does. ( Apologies all my layout formatting on this appears to be lost ?? There were paragraphs)
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
No it wasn’t a simple solution as agreements with RUPA prevent them from altering the contracts
Paul D
Roar Rookie
What I don't get about this whole episode is the unoffended mob. Telling the offended what their opinion should be. You don't get to decide what is offensive to others.
MH01
Guest
One issue I have with this whole episode , is the offended Mob. Imagine getting upset for claiming the God you don't believe in, said in the book you don't read, that unless you repent of the sin you don't care about, you will go to a place you don't think exists. There is an imaginary hate crime for an imaginary place ..... And if you did believe in the above , you would realise that even if the religion is outdated , someone trying to save people from hell..... is not a hate crime ..... He is not bigot .... just a very annoying preacher ....
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
No. They offered him a contract which was subject to a number of guidelines. Also not sure where anybody has suggested that Folau’s statement he’d walk away will he used to try and defend any legal action. It’s merely a comment that any decision to fight the termination, is at odds with Folau’s own statement a year ago.
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
Breakdown? 00.3185% (of 314 articles) in favour of Folau; 99.6815% (of 314 articles) not in favour of Folau.
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru