Israel Folau’s rugby future rests in the hands of a highly-qualified panel consisting of John West QC, Kate Eastman SC, and John Boultbee.
West is a leading barrister with expertise in the area of industrial relations, and employment law. He will be in the chair.
Eastman, Rugby Australia’s appointment, specialises in complex workplace and human rights disputes, while Boultbee, the Players Association appointment, is a vastly experienced sporting administrator who was Secretary-General of the International Rowing Federation, a director of the Australian Institute of Sport, and a member of the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Two things are certain.
The panel will hear the reasons why Folau committed virtual rugby suicide by making a second homophobic outburst, and today will result in nobody winning.
It doesn’t matter whether Rugby Australia, or Folau, win this Code of Conduct hearing, the loser will appeal.
The whole affair is an unholy mess.
But the answer to the first certainty will be paramount to where the eventual result will end up.
Folau is no fool, and his reasons why he came out with a second outburst will make riveting listening.
Simply, religion is basically a private matter, there are those who live by strong beliefs, others who couldn’t give a damn about religion, and those in between.
But the vast majority keep whatever religious beliefs they have to themselves.
Folau isn’t one of them, nor do former tennis player Michael Chang, or golfers Zach Johnson, and Aaron Baddeley.
Chang became the youngest male to ever win a Slam when he took out the 1989 French Open at 17 years and 110 days – the next best Boris Becker 17 and 228, and Mats Wilander 17 and 293.
Chang beat Pete Sampras in straight sets in the second round, then Ivan Lendl in five in the fourth round, and Stefan Edberg in five in the final.
Then he surprised the Roland Garros crowd, and millions of television viewers, by saying – “I thank the Lord Jesus Christ because without Him, I am nothing.”
No elite sportsman had ever brought religion into an acceptance speech, but Johnson and Baddeley were to follow.
Johnson won the 2007 Masters, and 2015 Open, among his 26 professional victories, and on each occasion said along the lines of “I believe my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ was walking with me today, I owe that to Him”.
Baddeley’s never won a major, but he has won eight professional tournaments, adding his salute at the presentation of “I would rather serve my Master, than win the Masters”, or “I thank my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, golf is a great platform to be able to tell people about Jesus”.
There were few if any mentions of the countless hours on the practice fairway, or in the gym keeping themselves fit to compete.
Airing their religious beliefs might have annoyed some fans, but never offended as much as Folau has done twice.
And that’s the key to today’s historic hearing.
Tipene Roar
Roar Rookie
On hind sight of knowledge you are correct
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
Yeah huge differences, one of them made discriminatory type statements based on their upbringing and religious beliefs. And the other one .............
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
So the almighty needs to outsource ? Looks like omnipotence might need a rethink then, And those 8,000 or so kids are still dead each day.
Rob McCourt
Guest
I am completely areligious. However I fail to see how quoting from a book which is the basis of Christianity in an essentially Christian society can bring an employer into disrepute.
Rob McCourt
Guest
Thanks Peter. At last a sensible balanced look at the issues involved.
Nabley
Roar Rookie
I do not see Folau's comment as homophobic. If it was homosexuals on their own, then it would have been, but not when it was bundled with the other great swag of sinners.
Cugel
Roar Rookie
Lazy bludgers, couldn't even be bothered making up their own god. Come on people, it's been done thousands of times, can't be that hard.
Albo
Roar Rookie
But you can only tweet about one of them these days !
Hoges
Roar Rookie
My comment does not make any claims about information from yesterday’s hearing. I was simply stating fact that were widely reported on last year. Raelene Castle mentioned verbal and written warning several times in press conferences after similar events last year. The president of the RUPA stated when this story first broke that RA can only add special clauses to a players contract if it was of inherent benefit to the player, this was the first point they said they were going to contest. The content of the Code of Conduct and the Collective Bargaining Agreement as it relates to this story has been widely reported on.
Hoges
Roar Rookie
Did you read the article?
Tander
Guest
How do they know? No reporters were allowed in yesterday. but what has a 1mil offer got to do with your claims of contract content and verbal conversations?
Hoges
Roar Rookie
I simply posted an excerpt from the following article which supports an earlier statement I made. https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/112472840/israel-folau-rejected-a-1-million-payout-offer--report
Tander
Guest
Hoges just up above this post you claimed to know what was said in yesterdays hearing and yet not even any reporters were allowed in and no one from in there has told anyone what went on so perhaps you are making stuff up and dont actually know anything. Im happy to change my mind about you if you come up with some proof to what you say
Tander
Guest
The same way I would interpret being told to slow down in my car or I will go to jail
Tander
Guest
Mr Oaf the problem with your statement is that you have ignored the millions of people that charity's run and organised by religions have helped today and every day in the future.
wilz01
Guest
RA just offered a $1 million bribe to Izzy to walk away from the committee hearing and his case and the game. how would you like that?
Gloria
Roar Rookie
Reported today that RA have already offered Folau $1m to walk away. That tells you what their legal advice is: a huge risk of losing any court case. I think RA have almost dug a grave with this. Announcing his sacking before a code of conduct hearing where RA will be represented and will also select the legal expert for the panel. There is a failure of procedural fairness right there. I think all of the cards are in Folau’s favour. He will bargain hard. I suggest around $2m minimum with no termination but a mutually agreed settlement. If RA had practiced some inclusion themselves instead of their knee-jerk emotional response, this could have ended much better for everyone.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Well, he agreed not to post homophobic posts online after last years instances and he has broken his word on that. Maybe he needs to re-read the part in the bi me where it says you need to ‘make your yes be yes, and your no be no’ - I’m paraphrasing but it’s in there somewhere. If he lives the game so much, has he thought about what a $4m payout would do to RA?
Paulo
Roar Rookie
He paraphrased the bible. He didn’t quote. And he can be sacked, as this has nothing to do with the bible or his beliefs, stop making it about that.
Hoges
Roar Rookie
Reported today: Rugby Australia representatives told the panel how Folau received a formal warning in 2018 for similar comments on social media and how he had assured RA chief executive Raelene Castle and Wallabies coach Michael Cheika he would not post any material which could bring his employer into dispute.