Claims some Wallabies will boycott tests if Israel Folau is cleared to play
MAY 02, 2019
Wallabies players will considering boycotting tests if divisive superstar Israel Folau is allowed to play on, a report has claimed .
Folau goes before a three-person tribunal on Saturday, in an attempt to keep his A$4 million contract after dragging himself into another social media firestorm last month.
The Australian newspaper warns the outcome could be disastrous for the Wallabies if Folau wins.
Israel Folau could find himself an outcast among some of his Wallabies team mates, an Australian report claims.
Israel Folau could find himself an outcast among some of his Wallabies team mates, an Australian report claims.
Veteran Wallabies reporter Wayne Smith claims a number of Wallabies players are considering making themselves unavailable for selection if it means playing alongside Folau.
READ MORE:
* 'Might as well sack me' - 'Tongan Thor' comes out in support of Israel Folau
* Simmering tensions over Israel Folau
* Israel Folau: How Wallabies star's anti-gay posts left his career hanging by a thread
"It has nothing to do with freedom of speech, freedom of religion or the rights of an employer to make demands of an employee in exchange for the money they pay him, which in Folau's case is $4 million over four years," the well-connected Smith wrote.
Veteran Wallabies halfback Will Genia has already questioned whether some players can play alongside Israel Folau any more.
Veteran Wallabies halfback Will Genia has already questioned whether some players can play alongside Israel Folau any more.
"Yet even they would recognise that he has broken the prime directive: he had placed himself before the team."
Wallabies captain Michael Hooper and stalwarts Bernard Foley and Will Genia, have all spoken out against Folau's controversial comments and views.
"There are blokes at the Wallabies and the Waratahs that have certain beliefs that very much conflict with what he has said and done," Genia said recently.
"I certainly think it makes it a bit uncomfortable for people within those team environments to relate to him and, moving forward, even to play with him."
The boycott claims hint at a divided dressing room for Wallabies coach Michael Cheika, a disaster in a World Cup year. Australia, finalists in 2015, have slipped to No 6 in the world and don't need distraction like this as they look for a quick-fix.
Cheika has already said he would find it hard to select Folau.
But the polarising nature of this situation has been further exposed in recent days.
Explosive prop Taniela Tupou showed his support for Folau, saying in a Facebook post: "Seriously ?????????? Might as well sack me and all the other Pacific Islands rugby players around the world because we have the same Christian beliefs ??????," Tupou posted late on Tuesday night.
"I will never apologise for my faith and what i believe in, religion had nothing to do with rugby anyways ???????? #TYJ"