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Monday's marathon mediation session still yields no result for Israel Folau
By Online Editors
Israel Folau and Rugby Australia will continue their marathon efforts over the phone to find a settlement ahead of a looming court battle over his sacking.
They could not reach an agreement after 12 hours of mediation in the Federal Circuit Court in Melbourne on Monday. Negotiations will resume at 11.30am on Wednesday.
On Tuesday the court revealed the next step in negotiations will continue over a phone hook-up.
Folau's lawyer George Haros says they remain "hopeful to reach an amicable agreement".
"Where we stand is that mediation remains on foot," Mr Haros said on Monday night.
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"We'd like to thank the Federal Circuit Court for today's Âeffort and look forward to reconvening in a few days to see if we can strike an agreement."
Folau claims he was wrongfully dismissed by Rugby Australia and Rugby NSW after a controversial Instagram post in April condemning "drunks" and "homosexuals" and warning "hell awaits" them.
"I understand that not everyone shares my faith and some find it difficult to reconcile with their own beliefs," Folau said in a video posted on his website before the meeting.
"I want to be clear that I only share passages from the Bible as a gesture of love."
The former rugby league and AFL player last week increased his compensation claim from $10 million to $14 million, and said the Wallabies would have performed better in the 2019 Rugby World Cup if he was playing.
However, RA chief executive Raelene Castle said she had been sent messages and emails from the rugby community supporting the decision to sack Folau.
Ms Castle said a tribunal found Folau had committed a high-level breach of his contract.
"Israel admitted he had caused harm with his comments and stated that he would not curb his social media use and will post whatever he likes whenever he feels the need to share his views," she told reporters outside court earlier on Monday.
Folau is a hardline Christian who also recently claimed fatal bushfires were God's punishment for legalising abortion and same-sex marriage.
- AAP
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That is a matter of players style of play. Will Jordan's strength is his running . He has been absolutely deadly for the the Crusaders in that position. Especially in years 2021-23. Foster subsequently then Razor put him on the wing. Scored heaps of tries, but as he showed in one test against Australia this year , he scored a try running from the back, that was amazing. That was after Robertson finally put him at 15 because Beauden was injured. Thankfully there Will remained. Speaking of Beauden and kicking. He kicks too much, waywardly as well. Handing the ball back to the opposition. He is an impact player at best.
Go to commentsYet Ethan Blackadder was one of our best against the World Champion Springbok. When he came back to the Crusaders later in the season , he made a huge difference, ( a long with others like Codie Taylor), we nearly made the Play Off's. Ethan has plenty of rugby left in him. His family , Dad Todd Blackadder must be very [proud of him. Todd Blackadder was a 3 time champion captain of the Crusaders, '98, '99 and 2000.An icon in this area. Also twice captain of Canterbury , '97 and 2001 when we won the NPC and Ranfurly Shield winning captain in 2000.
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