Unrepentant Israel Folau breaks silence in Sydney church
Unrepentant Wallaby Israel Folau has described his controversial fallout with the Rugby establishment as "challenging" and spoken of being tempted by the "opportunity" to rekindle his career during a Sydney church address.
The star fullback, a fundamentalist Christian, moved a step closer to being sacked by Rugby Australia after he was found on Tuesday to have committed a high-level code of conduct breach for an Instagram post that said hell awaited "drunks, homosexuals, adulterers" and others.
An independent three-person panel is expected to announce Folau's sanction this week after deciding the controversial posts left him open to having his four-year, $4 million contract torn up.
In a video of him speaking at a church service on Sunday afternoon, Folau said the process was not finished and the "outcome is yet to be known".
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"Potentially I could get terminated, which means that there's no more playing contract and therefore no more finances or money coming in," he said from the lectern.
"It's been really challenging but also it's been encouraging to myself to see what my God is actually doing," he said.
Seven News reported Folau spoke of offers of temptations to rekindle his career.
"The opportunity that had presented itself, it crossed my mind that my life...it can possibly go back to the way that it used to be," Folau said.
He then quoted a Bible passage about losing his soul to gain the world.
"Continue to love those around us and continue to go out there and share the gospel," Folau said.
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In the fine tradition of Irish rugby, Leinster cheat well and for some reason only known to whoever referees them, they are allowed to get away with it every single game. If teams have not got the physicality up front to stop them getting the ball, they will win every single game. They take out players beyond the ruck and often hold them on the ground. Those that are beyond the ruck and therefore offside, hover there to cause distraction but also to join the next ruck from the side thereby stopping the jackal. The lineout prior to the second try on Saturday. 3 Leinster players left the lineout before the ball was thrown and were driving the maul as soon as the player hit the ground and thereby getting that valuable momentum. They scrummage illegally, with the looshead turning in to stop the opposing tighthead from pushing straight and making it uncomfortable for the hooker. The tighthead takes a step and tries to get his opposite loosehead to drop the bind. Flankers often ‘move up’ and actually bind on the prop and not remain bound to the second row. It does cause chaos and is done quickly and efficiently so that referees are blinded by the illegal tactics. I am surprised opposition coaches when they meet referees before games don’t mention it. I am also surprised that they do not go to the referees group and ask them to look at the tactics used and referee them properly. If they are the better team and win, fair play but a lot of their momentum is gained illegally and therefore it is not a level playing field.
Go to commentsI’d be fascinated to see what other candidates you all might have for the Lions captaincy role. Let me know, below 👍
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