The Israel Folau ‘Hell Awaits’ saga has revealed a lot about many people, including the likelihood that Michael Cheika has already forgotten who now selects the Wallabies team and some inconsistency over who he thinks deserves another chance.
On top of this, Cheika might feel a bit squeamish after David Pocock was ruled out for a fifth straight Super Rugby game due to the calf injury he first picked up at a Wallabies camp in January.
It sounds like the workload at the get-together was heavy, especially at that time of the year, with Nick Phipps also injuring his calf.
It doesn’t sound like the smartest way to structure a preseason camp that was supposed to focus on World Cup planning, but perhaps the Wallabies coach doesn’t deserve to be condemned for this.
However, Cheika should be held to account over how he handled being questioned on Monday about Folau’s future with the Wallabies.
Folau is appealing Rugby Australia’s decision to issue him with a breach notice for his social media posts condemning homosexuals, among others, to hell if they do not repent.
Although the hearing is yet to be held and is likely to be a protracted and complex legal battle, Cheika was nonetheless forthright in his stance when asked if he would ever pick him again for the Wallabies.
“I think as it stands right now, considering what I just said, you wouldn’t be able to,” Cheika said at the start of the week.
To take this premature public position before Folau’s case is heard muddies the waters.
What happens if Folau is successful in his challenge and is reinstated for the Waratahs and Wallabies? It would become very awkward.
But apart from this, Cheika seemed to forget the new composition of the Wallabies selection panel.
Scott Johnson was appointed director of rugby last December as part of a restructure aimed at boosting the struggling national team heading into this year’s World Cup.
Director or rugby Scott Johnson (Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images)
Johnson is also part of a new three-person Wallabies selection panel with Cheika and former Wallabies back Michael O’Connor.
So if he’s going to speak publicly about Wallabies selections – especially about ones as significant as Folau’s – he should consult Johnson and O’Connor first.
Perhaps he has already done so in regards to Folau, but it’s important that he makes this known.
It’s particularly important in the early days of this structure, both for engendering the trust of the other selectors and also in terms of clarity for Wallabies fans.
Former Australian skipper Nick Farr-Jones was one that believes Cheika erred in publicly stating he won’t pick Folau again. It was ill-advised by Cheika before the code of conduct hearing date was even set.
One could argue that Cheika provides one view amongst three when it comes to selection, and he could be outvoted by Johnson and O’Connor.
But as coach Cheika’s early judgement would mean Folau’s presence in a Wallabies team would be uncomfortable at best and untenable at worst.
The other element to the Folau case that should be brought to attention is the variability in Cheika’s attitude towards tolerance and forgiveness for players who get into strife.
There should be a decent level of consistency in justice when it comes to those who are granted second and third chances.
Take the case of Karmichael Hunt.
Hunt pleaded guilty to cocaine possession in 2015 and copped a $30,000 fine and six-game suspension.
He found himself in trouble again late in 2017 when he was arrested on drugs charges. Hunt had cocaine charges dropped but pleaded guilty to possessing Xanax. That resulted in a fine of $10,000 and a four-game ban by Rugby Australia.
Hunt left the Queensland Reds and got a career lifeline with the Waratahs this season.
Karmichael Hunt has received second and third chances after drug suspensions. (AP Photo/Tertius Pickard)
Before his second court appearance last year, Hunt received some significant backing from Cheika.
“I think he’d be personally down and let himself down in that situation,” Cheika said.
“But he’s not an evil person, that’s for sure. He’s a good bloke, he made a mistake in the past. I think now we’ll talk with the Reds, see where we’re at going forward and work together with Karmichael to see where we’re going to go from here.”
So Folau posted his controversial ‘gays to hell’ comments for the first time last year. He was warned not to repeat it but couldn’t resist a few weeks ago.
People can make their own minds up whether drug offences, which are dealt with by the courts of the land, or posting insensitive social media comments, which are judged by public perceptions and sensitivities, are more serious.
If Hunt got a third chance, then surely Folau deserves to be forgiven despite him being a higher-profile player.
Is Folau an evil person? No.
Should he be punished by Rugby Australia? Yes.
But not by sacking him. A fine and ban would suffice.
For now Cheika could do worse than retract his stance on not picking Folau for the Wallabies again, because as ludicrous as it might seem to him, sacking the fullback might not be as simple as he and RA hoped.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
On what will happen if Folau is cleared? Just because a player has a contract doesn't mean he has to be selected. The QRU/Quade Cooper case shows this.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Fionn: Kafer has proven himself as a slimy, tell you what you want to hear, political user. I have had my concerns about him for some time and recognised him as a person with little integrity. OTOH I did enjoy his play with the screen and pointing out errors and opportunities. However, I do believe that Nic Bishop does a far better job.
MaoriBro
Roar Rookie
As a passionate New Zealand supporter I think Folau, regardless of his bigotry comments, should still be allowed to compete in the upcoming 2019RWC in Japan. Suspend or fine him, but let Folau play in the World Cup. He's a very good attacking player but I'd would love to see him get his just dues when the Wallabies have to face the might of our beloved "Men in black," the mighty All Blacks!!
Dally
Guest
Folau is an overrated and selfish player who has scored a lot of tries but has huge gaps and weaknesses in his game. All of which make him not that great at test rugby. Basically, the national side don't need him and he'd be poisonous to any team environment so should never be picked based on that.
In Brief
Guest
What you are saying is 'going on social media quoting the Bible is spreading hate in my book'. Un FKNG believable..
In Brief
Guest
Folau has also been dropped 'for no reason whatsoever..'
In Brief
Guest
100% correct - Folau was neither hateful nor homophobic. The victim game people are playing is completely dishonest. There is no way a young person struggling with their identity would be upset by Folau's post. Why? Because if they are Christian they would know the Bible's teaching already. If not a Christian they would not believe the Bible's teachings. Either way, no harm done. I also doubt anyone really forms an 'identity' around who they sleep with. This idea is a grand concoction. There is more to being human than sexuality.
LifestyleSpecialist
Roar Rookie
so the other codes of conduct don't count for much then?
Hoges
Roar Rookie
Pocock did not get paid to have a year off. He came to an agreement where his two year contract would be paid over a three year period. He received only two years worth of wages.
Hoges
Roar Rookie
The collective bargaining agreement states all contracts must be the same. The “social media” clauses exist in the code of conduct. Folau is being accused of multiple code of conduct violations, nothing more. On top of this Folau received a “final warning” in writing last year and undertook a verbal and a written agreement not to behave in such manner again. Failure to uphold said agreement would lead to termination of contract. All of which can be substantiated by RA. RA have ticked every box required by law, I don’t understand why people fail to see that.
Hoges
Roar Rookie
No you don’t. Wayne Bennett had one of the greatest rugby league players of all time in Wally Lewis at the broncos and told him he wouldn’t be required moving forward. A coach can always opt to select or not select a player based on what they think is best for the team.
Mark
Guest
What has selection go to do with it Does his contract state Automatic Selection for ALL games? Hardly As long as he is being paid he has nothing legally to complain about
Mark
Guest
Not selecting him for his religious views is hardly a breach of contract Not paying him might be But if they are paying him I would imagine they could say whatever they like
Mark
Guest
Impossible He can never play for Fiji He has represented Aus
Mark
Guest
If they pay him out in full they can insist he remains on gardening leave until the end of his contract If Folau wants to go somewhere else he may have to settle for less
Mark
Guest
There are only 3 outcomes Folau is sacked and isnt paid anything Folau is sacked and agrees a payoff less than the whole to go somewhere else Folau is sacked and is paid out in full - but remains on gardening leave until the end of his contract
Gee
Roar Rookie
With that you would also get four years of his religious views as a RA employee, not a great way to keep sponsors.
Val
Guest
That seems to have slipped under the radar with all the fuss about Folau. You make a very good point though that surely Johnson would have the final say about the new attack coach. But why oh why RA hasn't made the appointment by now just amazes me. It is also interesting that Johnson has made no comment about Folau - I wonder why. There are a lot of pieces in motion at the moment with RA with some of them being moved behind closed doors and unless some find a home soon the chances of going well at RWC are remote!
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Stu.B were you absent when we discussed on this very Roar, the prospect of selling tickets to the first selection meeting. A thousand tickets at a thousand a seat. A cool mill to boost RA cofffers. An opportunity to throw 2 bobs worth at the panel. (Some said they would gladly pay for the opportunity to throw other things) RA are aware of the market interest but are yet to respond.
Hoges
Roar Rookie
Pocock has agreed not to involve himself in similar protests moving forward. Folau and Pocock both involved themselves in questionable activities over the last few years. Both undertook an agreement not to behave in such fashion again. One has abided by that agreement, one hasn’t. Folau received a formal warning last year, was made clear what the repercussions of similar actions moving forward would be, agreed to not behave in a similar fashion moving forward while he was still contracted by RA then he broke that agreement. It’s really that simple.