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Uruguay’s RWC opponent Australia is set to sack star fullback Israel Folau. The 30-year-old made a controversial social media post on instagram which has seen an outcry both from within Australia and from around the world.
Los Teros are to face the Wallabies in Pool D of RWC 2019. They are to do so on October 05 in Oita, Japan. It is to be the 7th fixture in Pool D and the third for both Uruguay, and Australia.
Australia must now prepare for RWC 2019 without Folau. The star fullback’s upcoming sacking will see his test career end on 73 caps for the Wallabies. So important of a player is Folau that all of his 73 caps have been with him in the starting lineup.
It remains to be seen as to who will be the Wallabies fullback in 2019. Leading contenders include Dane Haylett-Petty, and Tom Banks. Alternatively inside center Kurtley Beale may make the move to fullback.
Displayed below Folau’s instagram post was a warning to drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists, and idolaters that they will end up in hell unless they repent.
In a statement from earlier today, Rugby Australia CEO Raelene Castle declared that both of Folau’s employers – Rugby Australia and NSW Rugby had been attempting to contact Folau over the post but had not received any response.
Rugby Australia and the New South Wales Rugby Union have made repeated attempts to contact Israel both directly and via his representatives since 6.30pm on Wednesday, and at this point he has failed to communicate directly with either organisation.
Whilst Israel is entitled to his religious beliefs, the way in which he has expressed these beliefs is inconsistent with the values of the sport. We want to make it clear that he does not speak for the game with his recent social media posts.
Israel has failed to understand that the expectation of him as a Rugby Australia and NSW Waratahs employee is that he cannot share material on social media that condemns, vilifies or discriminates against people on the basis of their sexuality.
Rugby is a sport that continuously works to unite people. We want everyone to feel safe and welcome in our game and no vilification based on race, gender, religion or sexuality is acceptable and no language that isolates, divides or insults people based on any of those factors can be tolerated.
As a code we have made it clear to Israel formally and repeatedly that any social media posts or commentary that is in any way disrespectful to people because of their sexuality will result in disciplinary action.
In the absence of compelling mitigating factors, it is our intention to terminate his contract.
