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'I would hate to think Izzy is a liar because we know what happens to them'

17 Apr 2019

(Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

A former club and country team-mate of Israel Folau has issued a stinging put-down following the full-back’s decision to challenge his attempted sacking by Rugby Australia.

Now a pundit on Fox Sports, Drew Mitchell has all but called his former Australia and NSW Waratahs colleague a hypocrite, posting on Twitter Folau’s comments from last year saying he would walk away from the game if Rugby Australia found his position untenable.

The Sydney Morning Herald has reported how Mitchell highlighted a 2018 first-person piece in which Folau said he would walk away from his contract if Rugby Australia chief Raelene Castle believed the situation couldn’t be worked through. He then commented: “When words and actions aren’t aligned.

“The fact [RA] intend to terminate [Folau’s] contract would suggest it’s become untenable. I would hate to think Izzy is a liar because we know what happens to them…”

Mitchell’s tweet was posted in response to the development that Folau would challenge Rugby Australia’s attempts to sack him, via a code of conduct hearing in coming weeks.

2018 vs 2019
When words & actions aren’t aligned….
The fact @RugbyAU intend to terminate @IzzyFolau contract would suggest it’s become untenable.
I would hate to think Izzy is a liar because we know what happens to them.. pic.twitter.com/47YS7rxRiS
— Drew Mitchell (@drew_mitchell) April 17, 2019

Folau responded to RA’s breach of contract notice on Wednesday, sending the matter to a three-person hearing that is likely to be delayed by the Easter and Anzac Day public holidays until the week of April 29.

It was last Thursday when RA first announced its intention to sack the three-times John Eales Medal winner after Folau made public two religious posts attacking, among others, gay and transgender people.

#UPDATE: Israel Folau has requested a code of conduct hearing in response to @RugbyAU's breach notice.
How has the past week unfolded and what happens next?
READ: https://t.co/mrJIW13un4 pic.twitter.com/GWGoGU6eRF
— RUGBYcomau (@rugbycomau) April 17, 2019

“Israel has responded formally today to request a code of conduct hearing which, under the circumstances, was not an unexpected outcome,” said Castle. “We will now work to confirm a date for the hearing as soon as possible.

“After the date for the hearing is confirmed, Rugby Australia and the NSW Rugby Union will make no further comment on the matter until the code of conduct process has concluded.”

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Leinster are (now) clearly the best side in Ireland …. and (on paper at least) they are together with Toulouse one of the two best club sides in the world (as a Saffer I would love the Stormers, Bulls and Sharks contesting that, but we are not quite there yet) … and yes, they have been cruising through the URC and the Champions Cup this season, looking at times unbeatable ….

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HU 2 hours ago

Leo Cullen defends his position after Leinster's Champions Cup exit

“But also explain why it is Leinster year in year out left to represent the URC in the champions league.”

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RedWarriors 2 hours ago

Leo Cullen defends his position after Leinster's Champions Cup exit

Barrett creates room for Prendergast in the way that Henshaw can’t. That’s a fact. They targetted Prendergast and Barrett there would have made a significant difference to him not counting his other contributions (Barretts).

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Mark 2 hours ago

Leo Cullen defends his position after Leinster's Champions Cup exit

Bordeaux-begles were my dark horse tip from the beginning of the tournament. Toulouse had significant injury issues going into this game. Leinster had a full squad to choose from, and simply made the wrong calls. Nobody is demonising the Ireland players or indeed leinster, simply stating a fact. Leinster had home advantage and effectively bottled it.

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RedWarriors 2 hours ago

Leo Cullen defends his position after Leinster's Champions Cup exit

That was an Irish blog. Cullen has been rotating the centres. The two centres playing were the starting centres for Ireland (with Aki). It is perfectly in Cullen’s gift to believe that bringing on Barrett in the second half might eb a decisive move. It nearly was. Nobody could have predicted that NH would score 4 first half tries. Thats not complacency. People seem to be determined to demonize Ireland and Irish players and supporters. There is no basis for it.

Will you now start condemning Toulouse for complacency, arrogance just because they lost when expected to win? Didnt think so.

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Mark 3 hours ago

Leo Cullen defends his position after Leinster's Champions Cup exit

The decision to bench Barrett was described by several pundits as...and I quote..."The most complacent and disrespectful decision ever". As I originally stated, Saints were worthy winners. But there was beyond doubt, a level of complacency in the Leinster camp.

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