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Michael Cheika reveals receiving fan threats during Israel Folau saga

Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

NZ Herald

Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika has revealed receiving personal threats from fans after he ruled out selecting controversial former star Israel Folau in the wake of his anti-gay social media stance.

Folau had has multi-million dollar contract terminated by Rugby Australia earlier this year after posting multiple graphics to Instagram which warned homosexuals among other “sinners” where going to hell.

Cheika had last year helped soothe the feud between Folau and Rugby Australia but when the former fullback continued his ways online, Cheika made clear he couldn’t select him again – and it didn’t go down well with some Wallabies fans.

“People were saying all sorts of stuff,” Cheika said. “Just threats I was getting; people on the street, some to my face, a couple at some games. It was just crazy stuff.”

Making clear he was not disappointed in Folau’s actions specifically, Cheika said it was a shame Australia had lost such a player in a World Cup year.

“If that’s what he believes, and that’s where his passion is, I will never tell someone to hide it, Cheika said. “I might not agree with everyone, but I’d never want someone to not say what they feel. I’m no person to judge.

“The other disappointing part is that we lost one of our best players; a guy who I helped come back. I wouldn’t say I’m responsible for what’s happened. It’s just life. But I had to do what was needed for the team.”

Also noting that rumours of the Folau saga dividing the current Wallabies team were far from the truth, Cheika said any concerns were quickly put to rest in team meetings.

“There was an inference of some type of split – that’s so untrue,” he said. “We had to make some hard decisions.

“But [claims of a split] was the opposite of the truth. And that’s the fundamental thing about great teams: they trust each other, they’re united when it’s really tough.

“And I think it’s shown to be a total untruth with the way this team has played this season. It’s been disproved by the spirit and team camaraderie that’s been shown.”

Folau is currently suing Rugby Australia for as much as $A10 million for unlawful dismissal and restraint of trade.

The matter is set down for February in the Federal Circuit Court.

This article first appeared on nzherald.co.nz and was republished with permission.

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AllyOz 39 minutes ago
How the Lions found their roar, and disproved a popular Australian theory

The games so far have been compelling and competitive until the 50th minute. The Lions have been tested to that point, but always, in my mind, looked to be dominant at the ruck and more dangerous out wide. Both the Reds and the Force have hung in there but there has always been a feeling of when not if the Lions will overpower them. I also think that Russell is a huge point of difference. Against him at the Force we had an inexperienced NZ import, and at the Reds, their second best 10 in Harry Mclaughlin-Phillips (paired with their second best 9 in Kalani Thomas). I think the Force would have been better starting Donaldson at 10 and it was a mistake for the Reds (and the Wallabies) not to play McDermott and Lynagh - play someone else against Fiji and give those two some exposure to the Lions (though I understand Lynagh may still be injured so maybe won’t be available for either game).


For me, we don’t have the depth, particularly in the halves and the front rows. You noticed it most against the Force and a little against the Reds.


When we are replacing our players at 50 we are replacing them with players that are not good enough to make the run on team on a team that finished 9th or 5th in Super Rugby. When the Lions make their replacements they are replacing them with run on players from the nations that are 3rd, 4th and 6th ranked in world rugby.


But, looking at your figures Nic, it doesn’t appear that it is a new problem. And I have a solution for future Australian tours. And that is, make future tours to Australia an Oceania tour. In the lead up the Lions wouldn’t play a team like Argentina before they leave but, on the way would play Japan, Fiji, Samoa or Tonga and/or a Pasifika selection - the best of their available test players - with this last game played in Australia (maybe Townsville). We would have less games here - perhaps not all the SR clubs or perhaps not the AUNZ and Pasifika selection (which is only really there because we lost the Melbourne Rebels).


Some of those tests against other Pacific Nations could be played in Australia - they will attract good crowds anyway - much of the crowd is the touring crowd anyway and Australia has large Polynesian communities. A Lions vs Tonga game at Western Sydney Stadium would fill that ground. A Fiji vs Lions game in Brisbane would fill Suncorp. We spread the game a bit wider, we get development opportunities for our lower tier Oceanic playing nations. It might mean that RA take a bit of a haircut on the total revenue but it might not be that big.


I would also suggest that the Lions could maybe tour the Americas in the same/similar way. So Argentina would get the 3 tests at the end but, on the way, the Lions could play Canada, USA, Chile and/or Uruguay (all have played at World Cups) and then three tests against Argentina. I imagine the Provincial sides in Argentina would struggle just as much (if not more) than the Australian ones, but this way, the Lions get international opposition all the way down. And I imagine a Lions Test in New York or Vancouver would draw a decent crowd.


With SA vs NZ touring series coming up - the Lions coming to Oceania and the Americas during those times might be a good way for the two TRC partners Australia and Argentina with a pretty good alternative.

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