Long-time teammate Bernard Foley says Israel Folau has hurt the NSW Waratahs but isn’t a bad guy.
The superstar back was stood down by the NSW Rugby Union last Friday following the furore generated by his latest social media posting
He won’t play in Saturday’s crucial Super Rugby clash against Australian conference leaders Melbourne Rebels at the SCG.
Rugby Australia on Monday served Folau with a “high level” breach of contract notice following the latest in a series of homophobic social media posts.
He opted on Wednesday for a code of conduct hearing as opposed to accepting termination of his recently signed four-year contract.
The panel for the hearing, which is expected to be conducted over the next week or two, has been finalised, with John West QC the chair.
Rugby Australia’s Kate Eastman SC and Rugby Union Players’ Association representative John Boultbee AM are the other panellists, as Folau fights to save his rugby career.
Foley has played alongside him for the Waratahs and Wallabies since the code hopper switched to rugby union before the 2013 season.
Asked on Friday how he felt about Folau, Foley said he was conflicted.
“I think he’s hurt the team, which is not what we’re doing and not why we play sport. We’re a team and we encourage diversity.
“I also don’t think Izzy is a bad guy, so there’s a lot of conflict there, but I don’t agree with what he’s done so it’s a tough situation.”
Questioned about how Folau was hurting the Waratahs Foley said: “We’re not talking about a game, we’re not talking about the match tomorrow night, which we should be.”
Foley said he hadn’t spoken to Folau but had received a couple of texts.
If Folau is allowed back into the Waratahs fold, Foley hopes they can talk to him to try to understand the choices he has made.
“That’s something that we would do, is sit down and talk to him about the rules of the team and how the team has to come first for all players,” Foley said.
“Because that’s why we play the game. It’s not just individuals who win games.”
Rugby Geek
Roar Rookie
With hindsight! I hope he gets tonsillitis every week if that’s how he plays!
bigbaz
Roar Guru
They’ve come back to me with “ Help”
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
That clears it up for me. Thanks
Bok 9
Guest
Why is Foley saying this? By his own admission he is the genius that doesn't worry about outcomes.
Realist
Guest
The only protected species in this team are Chieka’s favourites and telling the press what Rugby Australia want to hear is the opposite of brave. I hate to be the one to tell you Derek but you are a DH.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Should Folau be a protected species, immune from criticism within the team. All the players are asked about is IF. I’m pleased that they’re not muzzled and then smart and brave enough to speak the truth. Of course I have the option to turn it all around to suit an age old anti-Tah narrative and simply slag everybody off for past demeanours real or otherwise. Nah, that would just make me a DH
HiKa
Roar Rookie
Bigbaz, "Beatles" is obviously a typo or auto-correct induced error of adding a superfluous "t". That in itself is easily forgivable, but first things first: where's the possessive apostrophe between the "e" and the "s"?! What a disgrace! You've let yourself down and you've let down all of The Roar's readers. Go and stand in the corner and have a good hard think about what you've done, young fellow.
Gavin
Guest
So what was the reason for losing to the Blues? Foley played. Folau played. Beale played.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
That is at the core of it. Even if in the unlikely event of Folau being allowed to play for Australia again the media and public focus on him will not subside anytime soon. The genie is out the bottle. So no matter what his teammates think and say bot privately and publically Folau's very presence will bring unwelcome attention and distractions to the teams primary goal of winning matches.
HiKa
Roar Rookie
Yes. Hunt/AAC centres.
Just my opinion
Guest
I am of the opinion that Folau needed a distraction because people are realising he is not a superstar as perceived by the media and others rather he is just a rugby league player playing fullback poorly who does a couple of good things each game.
rebel
Roar Guru
One?
Lano
Roar Guru
Is Beale at 15 against the Rebs?
Realist
Guest
If his teammates had any class and weren’t too busy pandering to masters who give them a free ride at international level, they wouldn’t have commented on Folau. Nic Phipp’s comments in particular were consistent with how he and his mates are perceived outside of Sydney. The Wallabies Captain & coach have commented which was sufficient under the circumstances
Jock the sock
Guest
Storm vs Roosters or Tahs vs rebels. Love to see the tv figures. Rugby is dead, thanks ra.
CUW
Roar Rookie
errr - one is no more KCOL :P
CUW
Roar Rookie
i think the issue here has wider impact - which many seem to fail to see beale or the whole team drinking and getting into a fracas may definitely make the team look silly but the direct impact is on only a few who are in direct contact with that behavior. in Folau case he is basically attacking a whole lot of people and with media giving it publicity it has travelled the world. knowingly or otherwise Folau has affected a whole lot of people - which includes the sponsors who have to be PC. not to mention arguements on contracts and politicas and law and what not. i doubt drunk behavior has such wide ranging implications
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Hanigan suffered a medial ligament injury against the Blues. He was never going to be fit to play the Rebs.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Yes, people have done things in the past. Although not sure how Foley has a negative impact on team culture?! How so? The point is that right here, right now, Folau is in the spotlight. The Tahs would have pencilled in the Rebels game a while ago. Gibson rested players against the Blues specifically knowing that they had a bye the week after so they’d effectively have a 2 week break. Things came together against the Blues. They lost, but there were positives. And the team was building. They go on their bye week, with few injuries, and maybe a little confidence. And then Folau decides to post something he’d be warned about a year earlier. It would be incredibly frustrating. His Tahs teammates would feel incredibly let down. Not great for team spirit That’s the issue at hand. And why players are being asked questions about it at training. Which is fairly obvious for those not trying to be obtuse.
Realist
Guest
If Folau was a repeat drinking offender he’d still be in the team - just ask Kurtley teflon Beale. He’s still there and after ticking most no-no boxes including assaulting team mates, a bouncer, offending the team manager in a despicable way resulting in the removal of the Wallabies’ best coach since 2001 and busted ending a night out at Hungry Jacks (4 am) only days before losing a series clinching British Lions test. How many people could honestly say Folau has a more negative impact on the team culture than Phipps, Foley, Beale and AAC ???