Wallabies superstar Israel Folau will meet with rugby bosses on Tuesday over a controversial Instagram comment, with Rugby Australia chairman Cameron Clyne still confident rugby is 'a game for all'
Folau is set to discuss his social media use with Rugby AU CEO Raelene Castle and NSW Rugby CEO Andrew Hore after posting a now-delefed Instagram comment suggesting gay people were on the path to 'HELL unless they repent of their sins and turn to God''.
It is understood there will be a public outcome from that meeting, though whether that is in the shape of any formal disciplinary action is unclear.
Regardless of the outcome, Folau does not appear to be backing down from his comment, or its public nature, with a tweet this morning, quoting a bible passage, and highlighting a section that read: "Blessed are ye, when men will revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
"Rejoice and be exceedingly glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you."
🙏☝️ #allglorytoGod pic.twitter.com/6XwkEV6GrH
— Israel Folau (@IzzyFolau) April 8, 2018
Though many have supported Folau for his right to express an opinion, Rugby Australia and the Wallabies' major sponsor have distanced themselves from his comments, pointing to the Rugby Australia inclusion policy in that.
Waratahs and Wallabies captain Michael Hooper said last week that Folau's comments had not been a disruption for the team and certainly didn't divide anyone, with his teammates respecting his right to free spech, despite many of them disagreeing with his views.
Folau won't be playing for the Waratahs for at least another three weeks, sidelined with a hamstring injury.
The 29-year-old is off-contract at the end of the season, with landing his signature surely one of Rugby Australia's top priorities.
Clyne, speaking after Monday's Annnual General Meeting, avoided any definitive stance on Folau's actions.
"I think it would be inappropriate to get into any detail there,": he said.
"There is a meeting tomorrow with Israel and Raelene Castle and Andrew Hore, who's obviously the CEO of NSW Rugby Union , and I think that's a step - they've got to have a conversation.
"I don't think it's appropriate to make any speculation or commentary ahead of that meeting."
Asked whether he thought sponsors would be alienated by Folau's comments, Clyne said he hoped sponsors believed rugby was 'a game for all'.
"We've got an inclusion policy, which is very important," he said.
"We've made our promise that rugby's great asset, is it's a game for all.
"That's where we've always been very proud of our inclusion policy and one of the reasons sponsors hopefully are attracted to us, is they see us as a game for all that aligns with them.
"There'll be a conversation tomorrow and we'll let that play out from there."
The Waratahs take on the Reds on Saturday night at the SCG, kicking off at 7:45pm AEST, LIVE on FOX SPORTS and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO. Buy tickets here.
