Disgraced Israel Folau blames ‘media spin’ for 2019 Rugby Australia ‘termination’
Israel Folau, former Wallabies full-back, in 2019.
Israel Folau insisted that he was “misunderstood” in 2019 as the former Wallabies full-back opened up on his sacking from Rugby Australia.
The 35-year-old was at the peak of his playing powers back then, but his career at the top level was effectively ended when homophobic social media posts led to RA ripping up the contract.
Folau put on Instagram that “hell awaits drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists and idolators”.
The post came a year after he created a social media storm when he responded: “Hell.. unless they repent of their sins and turn to God” when asked what God’s “plan for homosexuals” was.
RA’s decision
RA therefore took action to terminate his deal and in May 2019 he was sacked by the governing body.
Five years later and the disgraced Folau spoke to The Sporting News’ Ebbs and Flows podcast about that controversy and those homophobic comments, where he blamed the media for his departure.
“When I put up the post, I never thought that I’d get terminated for it. It just never crossed my mind,” the former Wallaby said.
“A lot of people misunderstood the actual post and the media played a huge part in taking it and spinning that one word.
“If you know me personally, you’d know the intention behind the post. But the media played a huge part in taking it and spinning it the way they wanted to.
“I think that built all that pressure and momentum which went that way and ended up with me getting terminated.”
Israel Folau’s contract terminated
Folau spoke about a range of topics in the interview, including the current state of Australian rugby, where the Urayasu D-Rocks player confidently proclaimed that he would still be good enough for the Wallabies.
“I think I could,” he said. “If I got given the opportunity to go into that changeroom and put on the gold jersey again tomorrow, I think I’d fit straight in.”
Union or league
Folau began his career in rugby league, becoming a star of the sport when still just a teenager, but he has spent the majority of his career in union.
After a stint in Australian rules football, he joined the Waratahs in 2013 and would go on to earn 73 caps for the national team.
Following World Rugby’s decision to alter their eligibility laws, Folau switched allegiances to Tonga, but he missed out on the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
“I think I’m better at rugby than league. I enjoy playing rugby a lot more than league, anyway,” he said.
“Being an outside back, when you’re playing league – if I’m playing on the right edge – I’m just there the whole 80 minutes.
“When you play rugby as an outside back, you have the freedom to roam around and play on both sides of the field. And that’s something I really enjoy.
“You can pop yourself up pretty much anywhere you like.
“As a full-back in league, that’s what they do in that game. But any outside back can do that in rugby whether you’re a winger, centre or full-back.”
