NRL boss takes fierce Twitter backlash after ruling out Folau return

Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter Beattie has received a lot of criticism on Twitter after banning Israel Folau from returning to the NRL.

The Australia rugby union international Folau recently posted highly controversial comments on Instagram, resulting in the imminent termination of his contract by Rugby Australia. This is following similar comments he made last year in which he was warned by his bosses. This would rule him out of playing for Australia at this year’s World Cup, and playing for the Waratahs for the rest of the season, with many expecting him to return to rugby league. However, Beattie has resoundly ruled that out.

These comments by Beattie that have caused a lot of outrage on Twitter, due to the NRL’s perceived double standards. Of course, there is a large number of fans that support this approach, but there are those that disagree in equal measure. This is because players in the NRL have been embroiled in a number of off-field controversies in recent years, and while some, like Ben Barba, have been fired, a lot have kept their jobs.

While many fans have not condoned what Folau has done, they do believe that the 73-cap Wallaby does not deserve this rebuke from Beattie, particularly in comparison to what some other players have done.

This is the reaction on Twitter:

Peter Beattie coming out saying "Folau doesn't meet our inclusion test"…. as if all the crims you've allowed to come back to, or currently play in the league passed it with flying colours ?

— Emmah ? (@EmmaH1123) April 11, 2019

Yea but those muppets have no issue with allowing lodge to play it’s ok to bash your partner snort Cocaine sexually assault women but @NRL @Todd_Greenberg draw a line in the sand to believing in your faith

— sam (@onyohead38) April 11, 2019

https://twitter.com/2143Pineapples/status/1116332766935707648

Ridiculous. Whilst the majority of people don’t agree with his comments(me included), what has he done wrong? Where as a lot of players in the nrl have committed crimes etc ?????

— Todd G (@ToddyGreaser) April 11, 2019

Gee they continue to make a joke of themselves.. wife basher come on in and play, commit crimes no problems but we will not have a code hopper ????????????

— bunniegirl (@bunniegirl43) April 11, 2019

https://twitter.com/tedbaxter99/status/1116311274789298176

https://twitter.com/darealhotsteppa/status/1116317166926569472

https://twitter.com/Hero_Gallagher/status/1116296438697402369

So he doesn't pass their 'inclusive test' but those that commit domestic violence do? ????

— Brad Kelly (@tpeezy23) April 11, 2019

Folau has already had a successful career in league during stints with the Melbourne Storm and Brisbane Broncos between 2007 and 2010. He won the NRL with the Storm (in which the team were later stripped), as well as representing the Kangaroos eight times and representing Queensland in the State of Origin.

His four-year stint in rugby league came to an end when he joined Australian rules football outfit Greater Western Sydney in 2011, and playing a season in the AFL for the GWS Giants. This preceded his move to union, which may be coming to an end.

This has proven to be hugely controversial in the world of rugby, with many people attacking and defending Folau on social media. However, these comments from Beattie have also caused a stir, as some feel the 30-year-old does not deserve to be barred from the NRL.