Coach Michael Cheika said he would not have been able to select fullback Israel Folau for the Wallabies after his latest “disrespectful” social media posts attacking gay people.
Cheika spoke to reporters Monday for the first time since Folau, a devout Christian, posted on Instagram that gay people would go to hell unless they repented.
Cheika was flanked by Daryl Gibson who coaches Folau’s Super Rugby team, the New South Wales Waratahs, and Michael Hooper who captains the Wallabies and Waratahs, and who said he would have been reluctant to play beside Folau after his latest comments.
A day after Folau told a newspaper it would be “God’s will” if he never played again, Rugby Australia on Monday served him with formal notice that he had breached its Code of Conduct, starting a process expected to end with the termination of Folau’s Wallabies and Waratahs contracts.
“We appreciate this matter will attract significant interest but due process must be followed,” Rugby Australia chief executive Raelene Castle told reporters.
“Israel had 48 hours to accept the sanction or have the matter sent to a code of conduct hearing.
“It was made clear to Israel in writing and verbally when I met with him last year that any social media posts or commentary that in any way were disrespectful to people because of their sexuality would result in disciplinary action.”
Cheika said he had already formed the view that Folau couldn’t be chosen for the Wallabies after his latest posting. In 2017, Folau was warned by Rugby Australia after his use of social media to express opposition to gay marriage.
Chieka said Folau’s latest comments crossed a line.
“We’ve had the discussion about it after the last time about his right to believe and our support in that,” he said. “But getting out in that disrespectful manner publicly is not what our team’s about.
“We’ve had the discussion about it and that line’s then been crossed. When you play in the gold [Wallabies] jersey, we’re representing everyone in Australia.
“I felt that I needed to talk to him [Folau] about why, but I haven’t had that chance as yet.”
Asked if he would find it difficult to play next to Folau, Hooper, who looked deeply uncomfortable, reluctantly said he would.
“You take your friends warts and all, and your teammates,” Hooper said. “Like was said before, in this current state and being here and talking about this as a rugby player, it makes it hard, it makes it difficult.
“It’s hard being here. We’re rugby players for sure, we are trying to create the best team environment we possibly can and at national level.”
Gibson expressed disappointment that the issue of Folau’s religious views had arisen again.
“I’m disappointed in the fact that we’re here again, second year running, that we’re fronting up around an issue that on a large extent we’d settled and the impact that it has on the team,” he said.
Yesterday’s developments came after Folau told the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper it would be “God’s will” if he didn’t play again. AP
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