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Cheika refuses to criticise Folau for controversial remarks
By Tom Webber
Australia coach Michael Cheika refused to criticise full-back Israel Folau for his controversial comments on homosexuality.
Folau avoided punishment from Rugby Australia after stating on Instagram that gay people should go to "hell" unless they "repent their sins and turn to God".
The 29-year-old again courted controversy last week by tweeting a link to a video that warned against the "tolerance" of same-sex marriage.
Rather than condemn Folau, Wallabies coach Cheika suggested youngsters should look for alternative role models if they do not agree with such beliefs.
Asked what his message to a gay youngster who looked up to Folau would be, Cheika told Fox Sports Australia: "There's been a lot made of [this].
"Self-esteem in people, no matter who they are, is extremely important - self-belief, self-esteem - and if that's something that you don't agree with, then you detach from that.
"That way it'll be, 'He's no longer my idol,' if that's the case."
Cheika asserted his belief that it is down to parents to shield young people from potentially harmful opinions on social media.
"You've got to protect those kids from everything that's out there - us as parents, which I am, and as coaches, which I try to do with the [Wallabies] lads, because it happens all around," he said.
"Players are getting the same in return - nasty messages on social media.
"It's about trying to build that self-belief in them, so they're not affected by those things, because we don't want people to be affected by stuff like that.
"That is 100 per cent clear."
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Latest Comments
SCW really dislikes Eddie, doesn't he?
His words in 2019 before the RWC final that he now says should have resulted in Eddie's firing:
"Was Saturday’s sensational World Cup semi-final win over New Zealand England’s greatest ever performance? Yes, unquestionably, would be my answer."
So let's fire the coach one game later? Duh!
Go to commentsIreland have every right to back themselves for a win. But the key variable has little to do with recent record etc.
The reality is that Ireland are a settled team with tons of continuity, an established style, and a good depth chart, whereas NZ are fundamentally rebuilding. The questions are all about what Razor is doing and how far along he is in that program.
NZ are very close to really clicking. Against England all of the chatter is about how England could have closed out a win, but failed to do so. This has obscured the observation that NZ were by far the more creative and effective in attack, beyond the 3-1 try differential and disallowed tries. They gave away a lot of unnecessary penalties, and made many simple errors (including knock-ons and loose kicks). Those things are very fixable, and when they do so we are once again going to be staring at a formidable NZ team.
Last week we heard the England fans talking confidently about their chances against NZ, but England did not end up looking like the better team on the field or the scoreboard. The England defense was impressive enough, but still could not stop the tries.
Ireland certainly has a better chance, of course, but NZ is improving fast, and I would not be surprised at a convincing All Black win this week. It may turn on whether NZ can cut out the simple mistakes.
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