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Rugby fans around the world have weighed in with their opinion after it appears Rugby Australia have terminated Israel Folau’s contract.
A statement was released saying: “In the absence of compelling mitigating factors, it is our intention to terminate his contract.” This is after Rugby Australia were unable to contact the Wallaby following his controversial comments made yesterday about the LGBT community.
As expected, Twitter is awash with fans arguing for and against the decision to sack the fullback, and there are many impassioned supporters on either side of the fence. It is not hard to find the arguments that the fans are making following this decision on Twitter, however, one other topic is being raised by fans.
Many are expecting Folau to make a move to Europe following this, with some actually speculating that this may have been his plan all along. The 30-year-old signed a new four-year deal with the Waratahs and Australia in February, and people are saying that this is the only way that he could get out of his contract and make a lucrative move to Europe after he was warned about similar posts on social media last year.
Toulon are being touted as the main contenders to sign the maligned player, but Sale Sharks are also being seen as a possible destination, where he could receive a major increase in wages.
This is what the fans are saying:
When does he arrive in Toulon??
— Tim (@thealy38) April 11, 2019
Welcome to the Top 14 Israel 🙁
— The_Answer ?? ?? (@_Nemesis__) April 11, 2019
Not much of a punishment when you consider he will prob end up in France with a shed load of money
— George lenny (@georgelenny123) April 11, 2019
*ring ring. Ring ring* Hi it's Mourad…. pic.twitter.com/ROfu1FtpTy
— The Loosest Forward ????????????????? (@LoosestThe) April 11, 2019
One way ticket to France for him, probably not that bothered
— Robert Rees (@Rrreesrugby) April 11, 2019
He is about to sign a big contract in France, he did this with the intent to get fired so he could sign this contract
— Matthew Boyce (@hornbybrown) April 11, 2019
Money to be made in France @IzzyFolau contracts being terminated now for ridiculous stuff in rugby over the past couple of years…when did sport become so politicized?
— Jimmy Boots (@JimmyBoots_eir) April 11, 2019
Absolutely the right move from Rugby Australia, a board for once not cowed by a player's profile and ability, but I worry Folau is just going to scoop up some of Mourad's millions in France next season. There should be no place for him to go. https://t.co/c7Y3vNRrXy
— Harry Latham-Coyle (@hlathamcoyle) April 11, 2019
I can hear Steve Diamond getting the Sale contract ready!
— McYewt (@YewtMC) April 11, 2019
Sale will be licking their lips
— Joe Bolton (@joebolton) April 11, 2019
Likewise, some are expecting a potential return to the NRL, and few expect him to be denied by all 16 teams. Folau has already had a successful career in rugby league, after two years with both the Melbourne Storm and the Brisbane Broncos, and was part of the premier-winning Storm side in 2007.
BOOM! I'm starting to wonder if he wanted out and this was his plan all along?! Which NRL franchise do we reckon??
— Ricky Jones (@rickyjoneshere) April 11, 2019
All 16 NRL Clubs when they see that the ARU threatens to terminate Israel Folau's contract. pic.twitter.com/uSpJwFXvFV
— Brent Ford (@BrentFord26) April 11, 2019
French Rugby? NRL? Hmmm……… #IsraelFolau Did Folau use any ref to RA or any sponsor in his 'personal' tweet? Hmmm,I see a court case somewhere,soon.
— Helluva Badapple (@HelluvaBadapple) April 11, 2019
Folau will be unemployed for roughly 25 minutes, sadly – if someone in the NRL/AFL doesn't pick him up, a Boudjellal or a Lorenzetti won't have any qualms about his shit beliefs, no doubt…
— Josh Gardner (@joshgardner) April 11, 2019
Which NRL club will sign Israel Folau? Absolute cert to go back to League now.
— Rohanct (@RohanCT) April 11, 2019
Queensland, Japan or France for #Folau ?
— Sam (@samkelly99) April 11, 2019
If, as is being suggested, Folau did all this on purpose so he could get sacked and play In France, that's just despicable. And his punishment should be to see out his contract, then get kneecapped.
— Brendan Johnson (@the_red_heifer) April 11, 2019
While some are saying that this is a plan by Folau, that does seem hard to believe seeing as the World Cup is only months away. Not only had Folau just become Super Rugby’s highest try scorer in history, but he was one of the struggling Wallabies’ main hopes of success in Japan later this year. It would seem bizarre that he would intentionally walk out of his job at this point in time.
However, what seems clear to many fans, is the ease in which he will be able to walk into a new job. On the pitch, no one can deny that he is one of the best players on the planet currently, and if a team are willing to accept the criticism that they may receive if they sign him, they will be getting a truly world class player.
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