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Folau trial not expected to play out during RWC

By Online Editors
Israel Folau Photo: Andrew Aylett

Israel Folau and Rugby Australia could face a February trial if they fail to resolve a multimillion dollar unfair dismissal case brought by the former Wallabies player and staunch Christian.

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Folau’s lawyer Stuart Wood QC faced the Federal Circuit Court in Melbourne on Tuesday for a directions hearing, during which Chief Judge Will Alstergren encouraged the parties to settle their dispute through mediation on December 13.

If mediation fails, Folau will fight Rugby Australia and the NSW Waratahs at a three-to-five-day trial from February 4 next year.

Folau wants an apology, $10 million in damages and his contracted reinstated by his former employers, claiming he was sacked on religious grounds following his April Instagram post about gay people going to hell unless they repented.

Folau was not present at Tuesday’s hearing, which was also live-streamed to Sydney.

Lawyers for Rugby Australia indicated they may apply for the case to be heard by the Federal Court of Australia rather than the Federal Circuit Court, and may also apply to have the case transferred to Sydney.

Mr Wood criticised the move, saying it was an attempt to delay proceedings and that he wanted Judge Alstergren to be aware of “what’s going on in the background”.

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The allegation was denied by Rugby Australia lawyer Adam Hochroth.

If mediation is unsuccessful, the parties will return to court on December 17 for a directions hearing ahead of trial.

– AAP

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Bull Shark 3 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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