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Debate ignites online over Folau's next destination
Rugby fans around the world have weighed in with their opinion after it appears Rugby Australia have terminated Israel Folau’s contract.
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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
https://twitter.com/LoosestThe/status/1116251883985707008
https://twitter.com/Rrreesrugby/status/1116255395625013248
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
https://twitter.com/JimmyBoots_eir/status/1116252222889824256
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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
https://twitter.com/joebolton/status/1116263691111026690
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.
https://twitter.com/rickyjoneshere/status/1116253509635182592
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
https://twitter.com/HelluvaBadapple/status/1116261615920222209
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
https://twitter.com/RohanCT/status/1116250921938214912
Queensland, Japan or France for #Folau ?
— The Cooler (@The____Cooler) 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.
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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.
Comments on RugbyPass
It couldn’t have been Ryan Crotty. He wasn’t selected in either World Cup side - they chose Money Bill instead. And Money Bill only cared about himself, and that manager he had, not the team.
25 Go to commentsYawn 🥱 nobody would give a hoot about this new trophy. End of the day we just have to beat Ireland and NZ this year then they can finally shut up 🤐
13 Go to commentsTalking bout Ryan Crotty? Heard Crotty say in a interview once that SBW doesen't care about the team . He went on to say that whenever they lost a big game, SBW would be happy as if nothing happened, according to him someone who cares would look down.. Personally I think Crotty is in the wrong, not for feeling gutted but for expecting others 2 be like him… I have been a bad loser forever as it matters so much to me but good on you SBW for being able to see the bigger picture….
25 Go to commentsThis sounds like a WWE idea so Americans can also get excited about rugby, RUGBY NEEDS A INTERNATIONAL CALENDER .. The rugby Championship and Six Nations can be held at same time, top 3 of six nations and top 3 of Rugby championship (6 nations should include Georgia AND another qualifying country while Fiji, Japan and Samoa/Tonga qualifier should make out 6 Southern teams).. Scrap June internationals and year end tours. Have a Elite top six Cup and the Bottom 6 in a secondary comp….
13 Go to commentsThe rugby championship would be even stronger with Fiji in it… I know it doesen’t fit the long term plans of NZ or Aus but you are robbing a whole nation of being able to see their best players play for Fiji…. Every second player in NZ and AUS teams has Fijian surnames… shame on you!!! World rugby won’t step in either as France and England has now also joined in…. I guess where money is involved it will always be the poor countries missing out….
77 Go to commentsNo surprise there. How hard can it be to pick a ball off the ground and chuck it to a mate? 😂
2 Go to commentsSometimes people just like a moan mate!
1 Go to commentsexcellent idea ! rugby needs this 💪
13 Go to comments9 Brumbies! What a joke! The best performing team in Oz! Ditch Skelton for Swain or Neville. Ryan Lonergan ahead of McDermott any day! Best selection bolter is Toole … amazing player
12 Go to commentsI like this, but ultimately rugby already has enough trophies. Trying to make more games “consequential" might prove to be a fools errand, although this is a less bad idea than some others. Minor quibble with the title of the article; it isn’t very meaningful to say the boks are the unofficial world champions when it would be functionally impossible for the Raeburn trophy not to be held by the world champions. There’s a period of a few months every 4 years when there is no “unofficial” world champion, and the Raeburn trophy is held by the actual world champions.
13 Go to commentsIts a great idea but one that I dont think will have a lot of traction. It will depend on the prestige that they each hold but if you can do that it would be great. When Japan beat the Boks (my team) I was absolutely devestated but I wont deny the great game they played that day. We were outclassed and it was one of the best games of rugby I have seen. Using an idea like this you might just give the the underdog teams more of an opportunity to beat the big teams and I can absolutely see it being a brilliant display of rugby. They beat us because they planned for that game. It was a great moment for Japan. This way we can remove the 4 year wait and give teams something to aim for outside of World Cup years.
13 Go to commentsHi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
13 Go to commentsDon’t think that headline is accurate. It’s great to see Aus doing better but I’m not sure they’ve shown much threat to the top of the table. They shouldn’t be inflating wins against the lousy Highlanders and Crusaders either.
3 Go to commentsSuch a shame Roigard and Aumua picked up long term injuries, probably the two form players in the comp. Also, pretty sure Clarke Dermody isn’t their coach. Got it half right though.
3 Go to commentsOh the Aussie media, they never learn. At least Andrew Kellaway is like “Woah, yeah it’s great, but settle down there guys” having endured years of the Aussie media, fans, and often their players getting ahead of themselves only to fall flat on their faces. Have the “We'll win the Bledisloe for sure this year!” headlines started yet? It’s simple to see what’s going on. The Aussie teams are settled, they didn't lose any of their major players overseas. The Crusaders and Chiefs lost key experienced All Blacks, and Razor in the Crusaders case, and clearly neither are anywhere near as strong as last year (The Canes and Blues would probably be 3rd & 4th if they were). The Highlanders are annually average, even more so post-Aaron Smith and a big squad clean out. The two teams at the top? The two nz sides with largely the same settled roster as last year, except Ardie Savea for the Canes. They’ve both got far better coaches now too. If the Aussies are going to win the title, this is the year the kiwi sides will be weakest, so they better take their chance.
3 Go to commentsThe World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
13 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
44 Go to commentsThanks, Nick. We (Seanny Maloney, Brett and I) just discussed Charlie as a potential Wallaby No 8, and wondered if he has truly realised how big he is in contact (and whether he can add 5 kg w/o slowing down). Your scouting report confirms our suspicions he has the materiel. No one knows if he has the mentality (as Johann van Graan said this week about CJ, Duane and Alfie B) to carry 10-15 times a game.
57 Go to commentsHe would be a great player for the Stormers, Dobbo should approach the guy.
3 Go to commentsGood article. A few years back when he was playing for the Cheetahs, he was a quiet standout for exactly the seasons stated here. I occasionally get to see his games in the UK, and he has become a more complete player and in many ways like an Irish player. His work ethic is so suitable to the Leinster game. I wonder if Rassie would have him listed somewhere.
3 Go to comments