Castle: Folau saga 'most difficult thing I've ever had to deal with'

Australian rugby boss Raelene Castle has admitted her struggles in dealing with star Wallabies fullback Israel Folau’s homophobic social media campaign.

Folau’s stance on same-sex marriage has been highly publicised ever since he responded to an Instagram comment saying that gay people would be sent to “HELL” unless they repent.

Former New Zealand Netball and Canterbury Bulldogs league CEO Castle said “this is singularly the most difficult thing I’ve ever had to deal with.”

Folau has escaped sanction thus far, though Castle told Fox Sports show Kick & Chase that the 29-year-old was “walking the line”.

“There’s no black and white answer,” Castle said.

“On the one hand you’re dealing with a human rights issue. On the other hand, you’re dealing with freedom of speech and someone’s right to express their views, whether it be religious or otherwise.

“I think the test continues to be whether that’s done in a respectful way, so that’s the measure that we’ll continue to apply.

“It’s a very hot topic in the Australian landscape at the moment. The freedom of speech movement is looking for a conversation to be had and that’s why – and I keep repeating myself – it’s very delicate and we’re trying to manage both sides so everyone feels included.”

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Australia’s most capped international player, George Gregan, also weighed in on the situation.

“As soon as you bring it on the social media platform, it becomes a huge, huge point of discussion about the game, not necessarily for the right reasons and not representative of the people in the game of rugby,” Gregan said.

“That’s my concern with this. Let’s talk football. These beliefs that you talk about, keep them to yourself.

“I don’t see there’s a need to be putting it on a huge social platform because it takes away from what he is – a great rugby player.”

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