Steve Hansen has applauded the Rugby Football Union’s decision to raise the pride flag above Twickenham on Sunday after acknowledging his selection of Israel Folau for the World XV is controversial.
Folau, a Christian fundamentalist, will face Eddie Jones’ Barbarians four years after he was sacked by Rugby Australia for publishing a series of anti-gay posts on social media.
The 34-year-old has switched national allegiance and will represent Tonga at the World Cup this autumn having returned to rugby union following an aborted spell in league, the code that launched his career.
The RFU has signalled it will respond to the presence of Folau at Twickenham with a show of support for the LGBTQ+ community by flying the rainbow flag.
Hansen, who insists Folau deserves to be involved in the invitational fixture on the strength of his ability as a player, welcomes the move.
“I think it’s great. It’s a consequence of Folau’s selection and I think it’s a good thing. It’s an opportunity to show support to that flag. I don’t have a problem with it,” Hansen said.
“There wouldn’t be one there if Israel wasn’t playing so whenever we can bring attention to people who are suffering in a positive way, that’s good.
“They deserve to be loved and cared for as much as anybody else. If we all did that it’d be a happy place, wouldn’t it.
Hansen, the mastermind of New Zealand’s 2015 World Cup triumph, added: “Israel Folau is a very good rugby player. He’s world class. And I know by picking him that there will be some people hurt. And I get that.
“However, I want those people to understand that Israel’s belief and views are not ours. And we don’t agree with them.
“But he’s a rugby player first and foremost and he’s been sanctioned. Those sanctions have finished, he’s playing rugby, he’s probably going to go to the World Cup so my job is to pick the best team I can pick and that’s what I’ve done.”
Hansen will attempt to lift some of the gloom surrounding rugby union by ordering his star-studded World XV side to “put on a show”.
The 64-year-old Kiwi has misgivings about the drive to stamp out dangerous play that he believes is counter-productive.
“We see a lot of red cards and while I understand that I just don’t understand why we ruin the game with them,” Hansen said.
“Fans want to see a contest – one of the biggest principles of the game is a fair contest – and we’re giving people red cards for unintentional accidents and calling it foul play.
“If you keep giving red cards out people will think the game’s dirty so it’s imploding upon itself.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
Eddie might Giteau him . Great player , decent man !
ClarkeG
Roar Guru
Well I guess the availability of players may have a little to do with it. Why would Piutau have left NZ feeling like a spare. He decided to sign an overseas contract and left. If he had signed the contract with NZR that he said was 'in the mail' then he may have very well been selected for the WC squad of that year. Even so he might still have but for the emergence of a guy named Milner Skudder.
Wizz
Roar Rookie
Peter you must at least concede it's toxic non debatable type of rant..where does one go from burn in hell type paraphrases.Same with indigenous issues it's a lineal sense heading to a certain consensus leave people the eff alone or in indigenous issues try try again ...but these intellectual elites who never seem to work just get money from taxpayers always contrive more ways to peel the apple.Folau is a fool too himself for wasting his time in religion but that's just my view.Great talent in rugby poor prophet.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
They made their own choices after negotiations with NZR. Absolutely nothing to do with Hansen.
Wizz
Roar Rookie
Just in case we were all wondering no handbags in Qld ...
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Code of conduct was not breached. Why go to arbitration if it was all so simple and why agree to pay out his contract if he was easily stackable. Just common sense.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Still got all the cash twas and it was a court that awarded it to him.
ForceFan
Roar Rookie
I could almost accept the use of “once vulnerable”community. The vast majority is now happy to live and let live. Always prepared to protect vulnerable groups – especially our children.
ForceFan
Roar Rookie
I've always enjoyed watching Israel Folau play rugby. 3 x John Eales medal winner says it all................... I have no issues with minority groups flying whatever rallying penant they wish to use. As a self-declared heterosexual, caucasean male, my preference is to proudly fly the Australian flag.
Jimbo81
Roar Rookie
Not in my house it didn’t
PeterK
Roar Guru
So now you are limiting it to religion. You did write You may have an opinion about whatever but I don’t want it rammed down my throat. so if elite sportspeople use their platform the denigrate anothers way of life (but you agree with that opinion) you would be against them saying that?
Gary Russell-Sharam
Roar Rookie
Peter I suggest that you read my opinion a tad more clearly and not selectively pick out content that you can twist to your opinion. I objected to him using his status as an elite sports person it had nothing to do with what I might say. To repeat I do not denigrate his religion so why is he allowed to denigrate another's way of life. You see that's what religion does, that's why there are so many wars created from religion
JC
Roar Rookie
Wyn Jones and Alun Wyn Jones are different people.
numpty
Roar Rookie
Didn't the vote for gay marriage get up in Australia?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
That seems to be your understanding if you can’t grasp that a process that involves judgement by a panel of 3, with one chosen by your union and one agreed to by it, is a long way from a kangaroo court. In fact one of the most employee friendly processes you could ever hope for in this situation.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
The code of conduct was in his contract. It’s in every contract… What they tried to add was a clause that would allow them to sack him without due process.
Miles Toulon
Roar Rookie
Wasn’t in his contract. That was a major part of the problem. They didn’t write it in & then tried to rewrite but he refused to sign the updated version. The only thing he did wrong was to offend the people who didn’t like his religions beliefs.
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
G’day Peter. I’m a bit more sceptical than you. Would the RFU have flown the flag without IF being there? They haven’t in the past, as far as I’m aware. RFU good at marketing. Will this bring a few more paying customers through the gates, giving them an opportunity to “protest”?
cinque
Roar Rookie
Of course but I reckon the usual England vs BB or a Home Nations selection vs BB would be more attractive to Londoners and others.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
It was multiple Instagram posts. He was initially warned. Then proceeded to do it again, and say he would do it again further