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Thread: Folau and GRR

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    Folau and GRR

    Anyone seen a story in the Telegraph about GRR being Folau's saviour. It's behind the paywall and I can't get it. But then if its written by that lying Pandaram maybe I shouldn't bother

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    Champion SPaRTAN's Avatar
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    Global Rapid Rugby: Billionaire could save Israel Folau’s rugby career


    MAY 08, 2019
    Billionaire Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest could provide Israel Folau with a lifeline if the Wallabies star is sacked.

    Forrest’s Global Rapid Rugby competition, which he started after the Western Force was axed from Super Rugby, is set to expand next year and the tournament is seeking star signings.

    The Daily Telegraph understands that there is interest in making Folau the marquee signing of one of the overseas clubs – Hong Kong based South China Tigers, Singapore-based Asia Pacific Dragons, Fiji and Samoa are involved in a showcase 2019 tournament.

    Forrest could not be reached for comment, but a tournament spokesman did not rule out a play for the fullback when asked specifically about Folau.

    “Global Rapid Rugby has been talking to many high profile players, and will continue to do so,” the spokesman said.


    Israel Folau would be a perfect marquee signing for Global Rapid Rugby. Picture: Getty
    The potential lifeline comes as Folau’s prospects dry up – the NRL’s chairman Peter Beattie reiterated he would not be welcomed back – while sportswear company ASICS pulled their personal sponsorship after Folau’s homophobic social media posts.

    Folau’s $4 million contract with Rugby Australia is in serious doubt after a three-person panel deemed that he had committed a high-level breach of his professional player’s code of conduct on Tuesday evening, after 22 hours of hearings across three days.

    The panel is not expected to finalise a sanction for Folau until next week, but termination is a strong possibility.

    If that eventuates, 30-year-old Folau will struggle to land a deal overseas, given international based players and club owners have been critical of his ultrareligious views.

    That’s where Forrest, also a devout Christian, could swoop.


    Global Rapid Rugby logo.
    Forrest has previously spoken of how the Bible has inspired him to donate millions of dollars to charity.

    However it’s understood that if Folau was to sign with the second-tier competition, there would be stringent social media clauses inserted into a contract offer to ensure Global Rapid Rugby does not become engulfed in the same storm RA is enduring.

    ASICS dumped Folau on Wednesday as an ambassador following backlash from their customers.

    ASICS had personally sponsored Folau in a deal estimated to be worth $50,000 a year. They also sponsor the Wallabies, which remains until 2025, but have cut ties with Folau.

    In a public statement, the company said: “ASICS is dedicated to sport and its healthy contribution to society. We believe sport is for everyone and we champion inclusivity and diversity.


    Founder of Global Rapid Rugby Andrew Forrest at Queenstown Stadium in Singapore. Picture: Getty
    “While Israel Folau is entitled to his personal views, some of those expressed in recent social media posts are not aligned with those of ASICS.
    “As such, our partnership with Israel has become untenable and he will no longer represent ASICS as a brand ambassador.”

    Last year, after Folau’s first anti-gay comments, Land Rover confiscated a sponsored car given to him.

    The loss of the ASICS deal is another financial blow for Folau, who has already racked up legal expenses of six figures fighting for a payout from RA.

    A high-level breach is what RA had determined Folau had committed with his April 10 Instagram post saying homosexuals and other sinners were destined for hell unless they repented.

    That was a determination made by RA’s integrity unit, and RA used that as the basis to announce they intended to terminate Folau’s contract.

    Folau’s legal team argued that RA never made it clear exactly what the player could and could not post on social media, therefore if the panel ruled he had made a code of conduct breach, they’d have to deem it on the low or medium level scale, which would now allow RA to sack him.

    But after Folau was formally warned for a similar post last year by RA, the panel decided he had met the high-level threshold. They have now adjourned to make a decision, although this is not expected until next week, with both parties making written submissions to them this week.

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    Legend Contributor Alison's Avatar
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    Just the usual empty speculation we’ve come to expect from our media these days.

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    Proudly Western Australian; Proudly supporting Western Australian rugby

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    Forrest could not be reached for comment, but a tournament spokesman did not rule out a play for the fullback when asked specifically about Folau.

    “Global Rapid Rugby has been talking to many high profile players, and will continue to do so,” the spokesman said.
    I mean seriously, this qualifies for journalism in Australia these days..

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    Veteran valzc's Avatar
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    Bloody friggen hope not! Not interested in any over inflated egos, and he’s got to be the laziest player I’ve ever seen. Wouldn’t last 10 minutes on the field with the boys!

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    Still remains to be seen what 'GRR' looks like this year and what teams might be playing in it, let alone who controls and/or pays for what. Without that, anything is speculation at best, shit journalism more likely. Nonetheless, if we are speculating, certainly can't see him playing here. But who could say what some of the other teams might decide to do. Bet he wouldn't be on a million a year if it happened though.

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    Can't imagine that Fiji, Samoa or Tonga would have any issues with Israel expressing his beliefs.

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    Dally Messenger is going to come back to life and return to Rugby with GRR.

    I’m a Rugby journalist now.

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    Legend Contributor blueandblack's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by jargan83 View Post
    Dally Messenger is going to come back to life and return to Rugby with GRR.

    I’m a Rugby journalist now.
    and an "influencer"

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    Immortal jargan83's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by blueandblack View Post
    and an "influencer"
    I eat my food not take photos of it.

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    Veteran valzc's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by andrewg View Post
    Can't imagine that Fiji, Samoa or Tonga would have any issues with Israel expressing his beliefs.
    As with Honey Badger, you can't ignore the marketing potential he would give to the Pacific teams & inherently GRR - and as well as the promotional aspect, it would be a great kick in the teeth to RA and getting one over on that pack is reward itself. Although could be tricky with getting some sponsors on board as I doubt he's going to refrain from posting in the future. Still doubt whether he'd be up to a game of Rapid Rugby.

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    Veteran Sheikh's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by valzc View Post
    As with Honey Badger, you can't ignore the marketing potential he would give to the Pacific teams & inherently GRR - and as well as the promotional aspect, it would be a great kick in the teeth to RA and getting one over on that pack is reward itself. Although could be tricky with getting some sponsors on board as I doubt he's going to refrain from posting in the future. Still doubt whether he'd be up to a game of Rapid Rugby.
    Folau played AFL, where the players cover significant distances during the match. Folau would blow a bit for the first games, but he's probably a player who would be able to convert to the faster pace better than many.

    I agree on the problem with sponsors, though. He might get more people along to the game, and even attract local sponsorship, but the Pacific Island teams are likely to need multi-national companies sponsoring them to make them commercially viable (even if they do have a rich sugar-daddy) and most multi-national companies want to steer clear of such controversy.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Sheikh View Post
    Folau played AFL, where the players cover significant distances during the match. Folau would blow a bit for the first games, but he's probably a player who would be able to convert to the faster pace better than many.

    I agree on the problem with sponsors, though. He might get more people along to the game, and even attract local sponsorship, but the Pacific Island teams are likely to need multi-national companies sponsoring them to make them commercially viable (even if they do have a rich sugar-daddy) and most multi-national companies want to steer clear of such controversy.
    The faster pace? You must surely be joking. Folau is used to test match rugby which is a hell of alot faster than GRR and at a far higher intensity. Not to mention GRR is 70min. It would be a walk in the park for the guy.

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    Ascics have dumped him

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    Champion zed's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by andrewg View Post
    Can't imagine that Fiji, Samoa or Tonga would have any issues with Israel expressing his beliefs.
    Not sure what your point is?

    A lot of people seem to be conveniently overlooking the most basic fact, he breached his contract of employment plain and simple. Basically what you're saying is that his contract of employment is not worth the paper it's written on. He should be free to do what the fuck he likes, skip training, turn up to games late, coked off his eyeballs.....

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