Few people know what’s going through Israel Folau’s mind. But if anyone can imagine what the isolation feels like, it’s Karmichael Hunt.
In vastly different circumstances to Folau’s, Hunt also found himself frozen out from his Super Rugby team last year, when at the Queensland Reds before being handed a career lifeline at the NSW Waratahs.
“You rely on your family, your friends, your teammates,” Hunt said on Thursday.
Hence Hunt has been in contact with Folau, while also checking on the Wallabies star through Folau’s younger brother John, who remains at the Waratahs.
It’s over a month since Folau was stood down by Rugby Australia over his controversial social media posts and the wait continues to learn if he’ll be sacked after being found to have committed a high-level code of conduct breach.
“As a collective here at the Waratahs, I know from speaking to the guys, we’re holding up our end of the bargain and we’re making sure that he’s doing okay away from footy in the position he’s in now,” Hunt said.
“I know his family – I was speaking to Johnny this morning – they’re doing as much as they can for Izzy as well.
“That’s all you can do in situations like this when there’s a process that has to be taken and a decision has to be handed down.
“All you can do is support and I have been in contact. Regardless of the situation, he’s still our friend, he’s still our teammate and he’s someone that we care about.
“So I’ve just been checking in on him and making sure that he’s doing okay and that his head space is doing okay and, from what I’m getting from him, he seems fine, which is a pleasing thing.”
Hunt admitted the most divisive issue in Australian sport was fascinating, if also a great shame.
“This is definitely a first,” he said.
“It’s a very complex issue…it’s definitely something I haven’t experienced and I don’t think the sporting landscape hasn’t experienced.
“The only thing that comes to mind is the Colin Kapernick situation over in the States, which I wasn’t intimately involved in but I was keeping an eye on it and it was a pretty polarising event.”
Folau’s day of reckoning is now expected to come on Friday.
U
Roar Rookie
Karmichael, you should stay out of this considering your sordid past
win 4
Guest
Ah dont you just love IT!! Oz sport going down hill faster than a Bob hawke yard glass! Tennis brat Cricket cheats ( and before you all get your little panties in a twist), ball tampering was the outcome, the cheating was when a captain and vice captain sat down at lunch to work out how to cheat, THATS the cheating, and know one wil ever convince me they didn't cheat in the Perth test, looking back that was so blatantly ovious now, how they are still playing for their country astounds me!, good luck to them both in the Old country thet will need thick armour!. Finally get to rugby. A player who thinks he's bigger than the game itself, needs to be terminated whatever the consequences!. And informationfrom home, you have heard zero from across the ditch and not that he hasn't tried but has been told very strongly it's his forum and his own doing, dont try and speak for other players/people, thats not just from Perenara, their saying you shit in your bed you clean it up and dont try and drag us in!. The bottom line is if they dont sack him, what ever it takes there is worse grief around the corner for RA.
samalavich
Roar Rookie
Well there is a comparison in that its polarising but beyond that......nope. Doubt hunt was suggesting any other comparison
Ralph
Roar Guru
Karmichael Hunt and I both disagree with you.
Bunratty c
Roar Rookie
There is no comparison. Kaepernick’s stance is against police brutality, racism, and injustice in the United States.
samalavich
Roar Rookie
good that hunt is in communication with folau as someone who has gone through a sort of similar situation. it does sort of sound a bit like at least the tahs are, without directly saying so, keen to have him back. Kapernick comparison is an interesting one, hadn't thought about that. there are certainly some broad similarities, but also some major differences.
Ad-O
Guest
I know he said some BS. Just make sure to get him on the paddock in Japan.