Arf-Israel Folau: Catalans Dragons sign ex-Australia full-back in cross-code switch

but that's not the funny bit.
News of the deal came shortly after an announcement by Wigan Warriors that their match against Catalans at the DW Stadium on 22 March will be "Pride Day".

The club said they are inviting LGBTQ+ groups to help promote equality in the game.

looks like folau will get an interesting welcome at most grounds.
as one correspondant says "It's fair to say that the whole game is appalled by Catalans' decision to sign Israel Folau but they are legally constrained by what they can do".

I wonder how appalled the RFL actually is. Any publivity ......as the saying goes.

SBW seems to be repaying his un-knock-back-ably large salary before a ball has been kicked. As of a week or so back press reports had Toronto season tickets up by 30% and North American corporate support up 40. Reckon ratings will do similar.

Word on the street (another forum and twitter) is that Catalans did not run it past the RFL before announcing his signing.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by shasta

I wonder how appalled the RFL actually is. Any publivity ......as the saying goes.

SBW seems to be repaying his un-knock-back-ably large salary before a ball has been kicked. As of a week or so back press reports had Toronto season tickets up by 30% and North American corporate support up 40. Reckon ratings will do similar.

---

didn't they only get promoted to the super league last year, so interest will be high.
and their season tickets don't include the first 3 'home' games, it's too cold in canada.

Let me start by saying, I do not condone what Folau says, believes in and all that crap.

I understand LGBTQI ppl need to be accepted for whom they are and I have some very great gay friends. Yes for many years us racist, misogynistic, homophobic and narrow minded Caucasian males have discriminated against women and minority groups. I think the tide is turning and we can never go back to those dark days of lynching, isolation and ridicule of LBGTQI people, women and minority groups.

If we believe in freedom of speech, whether we like it or not, let it happen, but if we now want to ban Homophobes, Racists etc from earning a crust and living peacefully, are we not repeating history in reverse?

How about we teach resilience ; Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never harm me? Maybe we should develop a society that says " mate, you are a bloody good football player and I want to test myself against you - but off the field keep your religious views to the pulpit and I'll mix with my people."

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Hansie

Let me start by saying, I do not condone what Folau says, believes in and all that crap.

I understand LGBTQI ppl need to be accepted for whom they are and I have some very great gay friends. Yes for many years us racist, misogynistic, homophobic and narrow minded Caucasian males have discriminated against women and minority groups. I think the tide is turning and we can never go back to those dark days of lynching, isolation and ridicule of LBGTQI people, women and minority groups.

If we believe in freedom of speech, whether we like it or not, let it happen, but if we now want to ban Homophobes, Racists etc from earning a crust and living peacefully, are we not repeating history in reverse?

How about we teach resilience ; Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never harm me? Maybe we should develop a society that says " mate, you are a bloody good football player and I want to test myself against you - but off the field keep your religious views to the pulpit and I'll mix with my people."

---

okay boomer...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by pruc

okay boomer...

---

No worries doomer :)

what about the zoomers?

Speaking of Superleague, according to the Mungo presenters on Sky Sports this morning, Toronto (who have only signed 23 players so far) have several Saracens players in their sights.

Any first time Rugby converts who sign don't count in the salary cap. With SBW taking up 52% of that, they need to find another way.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Hansie

Let me start by saying, I do not condone what Folau says, believes in and all that crap.

I understand LGBTQI ppl need to be accepted for whom they are and I have some very great gay friends. Yes for many years us racist, misogynistic, homophobic and narrow minded Caucasian males have discriminated against women and minority groups. I think the tide is turning and we can never go back to those dark days of lynching, isolation and ridicule of LBGTQI people, women and minority groups.

If we believe in freedom of speech, whether we like it or not, let it happen, but if we now want to ban Homophobes, Racists etc from earning a crust and living peacefully, are we not repeating history in reverse?

How about we teach resilience ; Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never harm me? Maybe we should develop a society that says " mate, you are a bloody good football player and I want to test myself against you - but off the field keep your religious views to the pulpit and I'll mix with my people."

---

Funny that. Wigan have a two time fined homophobe, banned for substance abuse and DUI offender Zak Hardaker in their squad.

The RA went after Folau because they are farking idiots. Alan Jones gave uncle Cam another serve and notified the ignorant the damage this parasite can cause prior to the AGM.

Super League club Catalans left ‘reeling’ by reaction to Israel Folau signing

The angry backlash to Israel Folau’s Super League lifeline has forced his new club Catalans to pull out of their first public move with him.

Catalans Dragons have reportedly changed their mind about unveiling new signing Israel Folau in front of the world’s media because of the severe backlash that has erupted over the cross-code star’s move to the Super League.

https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/su...a524118acdfbf1

:lolup:

And it keeps on rolling!

Israel Folau: Hull KR lead Super League revolt over new Catalans Dragons signing

https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-league/51368373

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SNOB

And it keeps on rolling!

Israel Folau: Hull KR lead Super League revolt over new Catalans Dragons signing

https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-league/51368373

---

Pathetic. These same clubs have no issue with Wigan fielding Zak Hardaker in their squad. Hardaker has been twice for making homophobic comments.

And rainbow coincidently appeared in the skys above the ground as he was "unveiled" today :yeah: