Rugby Australia is facing a potential Polynesian player mutiny after one of the Wallabies’ most exciting prospects claimed all Pacific Islanders “might as well just be sacked” because of their religious beliefs.
In an explosive development days out from Israel Folau’s attempt to save his multimillion-dollar career at an RA code of conduct hearing, Queensland Reds and Wallabies prop Taniela Tupou took to Facebook to express his support for the under-fire superstar.
“Seriously ?????????? Might as well sack me and all the other Pacific Islands rugby players around the world because we have the same Christian beliefs ??????,” Tupou posted late on Tuesday night.
“I will never apologise for my faith and what i believe in, religion had nothing to do with rugby anyways ???????? #TYJ”
Tupou, aka “Tongan Thor”, attached a link to an earlier post from fellow Wallabies teammate and Reds captain Samu Kerevi, who felt compelled to apologise for taking to Instragram at Easter thanking “Jesus for dying on the cross for me. I love you Jesus#”.”
“I appreciate the kind words from everyone,” Kerevi posted.
“But to be clear I’m not apologising for my faith in Jesus Christ my saviour.
“God will always come first in my life and many other professional rugby players.
“Today, I felt things were taken out of context in regards to certain articles.
“I do not feel obliged to apologise to people because of the situation happening right now with a brother of mine.”
Tupou’s sensational “sack me or back Folau” ultimatum is sure to turn the heat up on Rugby Australia, who last month issued Folau with a breach of contract notice following his latest round of controversial posts.
The three-time John Eales Medallist had been previously warned by RA about his social media conduct and the governing body subsequently announced its intention to terminate his contract.
Folau has been stood down by the NSW Waratahs after posting a Bible passage last month claiming hell awaits “drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists and idolators” unless they repent and turn to Jesus Christ.
Folau will front a three-person tribunal – comprising chair John West, RA”s representative Kate Eastman SC and the RUPA-appointed John Boultbee SC – on Saturday.
However, Folau has since received backing from England star Billy Vunipola, who liked Folau’s post and called for people to “live their lives how God intended”.
Brisbane-born Vunipola was himself slapped with a warning by his English club Saracens over his defence of Folau’s post and handed a “formal warning” by the English Rugby Football Union.
But Vunipola’s England teammates Manu Tuilagi, Nathan Hughes, Courtney Lawes – who wrote his own post defending Vunipola’s right to express his opinion – and Wales’ backrower Taulupe Faletau all “liked” Vunipola’s social media post.
It’s a huge concern for Wallabies coach Michael Cheika ahead of this year’s World Cup – a third of Australia’s last Test line-up of 2018 were Polynesian.
clipper
Roar Rookie
If a teacher at a Catholic school started promoting homosexuality, do you think they should be fired - even though that's freedom to express.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
It is an interesting spin, In this situation, Folau is the bully, picking on others. "Bully's lives matter" Nope, the don't, The principle is well within their rights to expel Bullies from the school. In fact, they are obligated to.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
I have posted this elsewhere, but here it is again. The world is built on social contracts. We agree to restrict our behavior for the betterment of the group we are a member of. I have a human right to fornicate with anyone I please (consensualy of course). My wife and I have agreed that we will restrict that group of people down to 1. Folau has agreed to a set of restrictions too, and RA have given him a huge wedge of cash for it. So yes, I contend that he has sold his human right. (or agreed to restrict it) He can get said right back at any time he pleases but there is a contractual impact. Hand back his sky blue, Australian Gold and Kilimanjaro sized mountains of cash and he can say what he likes. It pays to remember, that without the trimmings of stardom, nobody will be listening. He will be shouting into his own echo chamber, a small group of people that agree with his philosophy. A group of people that I have zero interest in interacting with, unless of course the find enlightenment and abandon their fundamentalist views on how others, myself included, should behave.
aussierad
Roar Rookie
It really depends on what the consequence is. Going to jail, losing your job? That's not freedom.
aussierad
Roar Rookie
And put up with Air NZ safety videos featuring the All Blacks...that would be gold.
aussierad
Roar Rookie
https://www.playersvoice.com.au/israel-folau-im-a-sinner-too/
aussierad
Roar Rookie
Well this is not helping...I think you would agree a behind the scenes discussion between RA and IF, with a public statement reinforcing RA does not share the same views as IF (just in case anyone stupid enough believes they share the same view) would probably be better than world war 3.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Sure. But to maximise sponsorship value you want to ensure more organisations wish to sponsor you, not less.
aussierad
Roar Rookie
I think RA should have adopted an well known common sense advice in this age of social media and internet. Never make a statement or give a response when you are angry or emotional. Wait 24 hours, and by that time one would have hopefully calmed down, make contact with IF and have a discussion.
aussierad
Roar Rookie
This is why RA vs IF is a landmark case. Australia subscribe to human rights and this includes religion. If corporates are allowed to impose their codes and values , these human rights are meaningless. It's shocking to see that just pressing the "like" button can result in formal warnings (Billy V in Saracens/England), informal warnings (Gary Ablett) and so on. I hope this goes all the way to the highest court. There is more than rugby at stake.
aussierad
Roar Rookie
or find a new sponsor ?
aussierad
Roar Rookie
It is indeed about balance, and I think many have seen the current situation is unbalanced, and skewed towards a minority and suppressing the beliefs of more conservative Christians. Queer activist groups and their left wing symphatisers , if you were to read the SMH today, suppress opinions that do not conform to theirs. Gay people should be able to express their sexuality proudly (as they do with mardi gras etc) and conservative Christians should be able to express their views without losing their career.
aussierad
Roar Rookie
It's not free speech if the consequence of that speech is loss to your livelihood. If IF has incited violence against homosexuals, I suspect many including I would be supporting his dismissal. What he did was clumsy and he should have probably qualified his post, but the reaction from the lynch mob is more appalling than what IF did.
aussierad
Roar Rookie
I suspect there was a bit of pressure from RA to get the captains to toe the party line. It's also called mobbing.
aussierad
Roar Rookie
It's hard to take anything Peter Fitzsimons say with any credibility.The bloke has been mocking and insulting Christianity and anything to do with God for years. Seems a bit rich and sanctimonious asking what Jesus would do.
aussierad
Roar Rookie
You need to join the lynch mob then Peter. You can contact Customer Service Rugby Australia at (02) 8005 5555.
Neil
Guest
Yep. You sit on your own throne dude.
Ralph
Roar Guru
I agree with much of what you say. If you read these pages, which are pretty respectful over all in what can be a very emotionally driven debate, I think you must conclude both parties are doing a below average job at communicating outside an entrenched position. To be clear, I am agreeing Folau has been clumsy. I said that last year and not much has changed. Thanks for engaging. That’s why I have described it as talking ‘cross purposes’.
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
@Taylorman You should read "The God Delusion" by Richard Dawkins. See - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_God_Delusion You might change your mind about bring envious :)
soapit
Roar Guru
mate im not finding the time to get back to you but i agree its getting down to a very big discussion on the biology that likely neither of us are equipped for. end of the day tho they believe it to be a noun, no matter how much you doubt them, that causes the harm directed at the verb DOES translate to the person and IF should know that. he might not accept it but he cant be ignorant of the reality of how the comment will be received. i also note that IF made ZERO effort to make the distinction clear even with the knowledge that most gay people see that word as a noun. if he really wants to tread that line he did a recklessly clumsy job of it