Hey Israel, the All Blacks don’t care if you’re gay or straight

TRANS-TASMAN relations have further soured with Kiwi boss Steve Hansen supporting his players who slammed Israel Folau before taking a swipe at the Wallabies and Australia.

Israel Folau’s comments on twitter haven’t gone unnoticed over The Ditch.

ALL Blacks coach Steve Hansen has joined the chorus of Kiwis bagging Israel Folau for his views on homosexuality.

Hansen backed his halfback TJ Perenara, who last week blasted Folau on Twitter for saying a fortnight ago that gays were destined for “hell” unless they repented their sins, for which Rugby Australia took no action because he was expressing his religious beliefs.

After the All Blacks’ first get-together of the year in Wellington on Monday, Hansen said a person’s sexuality does not define their character, adding that his world champion team did not differentiate people.

Israel Folau’s comments on twitter haven’t gone unnoticed over The Ditch.

“In TJ’s case I was really proud of him, what he did Tweet was on the money,” Hansen said.

“You’re a good human being, regardless of whether you’re a gay person, a straight person. Quite frankly we don’t care [within the All Blacks] and I don’t care personally myself either.

SEE TJ PERENARA’S TWEETS BELOW

“But I thought he Tweeted well, his words were good. He gave a strong message to those young people in the circumstance where they could be fighting and worrying about their own identities and, again, I said I was proud of him and I stick by that.”

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Perenara wrote on Twitter last week: “I’d like to add my voice to the conversation currently taking place. As professional rugby players, whether we like it or not, we are role models for a lot of young people. Notably, young Māori and Pasifika people.

“You don’t need to look far to know that young Māori/PI are overrepresented in youth suicide statistics and, as I understand it, even more so when you look to those who are part of the Rainbow community. Comments that cause further harm cannot be tolerated.

I’d like to add my voice to the conversation currently taking place. As professional rugby players, whether we like it or not, we are role models for a lot of young people. Notably, young Māori and Pasifika people.

— Tj Perenara (@Tj_Perenara) April 18, 2018

You don’t need to look far to know that young Māori/PI are overrepresented in youth suicide statistics and, as I understand it, even more so when you look to those who are part of the Rainbow community. Comments that cause further harm cannot be tolerated.

— Tj Perenara (@Tj_Perenara) April 18, 2018

Let it go on record that I am 100% against the comments that were made by Israel. It was not ok to say that. It’s not an attitude I want to see in the game I love. There is no justification for such harmful comments.

— Tj Perenara (@Tj_Perenara) April 18, 2018

To anyone, young Māori/Pasifika people especially, who may be struggling with their identity - please know that it is ok to be you. You are perfect as you are. Do not let these comments keep you from being yourself. Polynesia has been sexually diverse since forever.

— Tj Perenara (@Tj_Perenara) April 18, 2018

Hit the nail on the head @Tj_Perenara and @brad_weber9 hats off to you both for having the balls to speak up. For what it’s worth I completely agree and support you boys. “Know that it’s ok to be you” real class TJ #HalfbacksAreSmart 🌈

— nicholas white (@white_nic) April 18, 2018

“Let it go on record that I am 100% against the comments that were made by Israel. It was not OK to say that. It’s not an attitude I want to see in the game I love. There is no justification for such harmful comments.”

Perenara’s statement came after former All Blacks halfback Brad Weber, who plays for the Chiefs, said he was “disgusted” at the thought of having to play against Folau due to his views.

Weber and a number of other Chiefs players wore rainbow coloured laces in their boots while playing against Queensland in Brisbane last Saturday.

New Zealand coach Steve Hansen.

Perenara’s strong comments, and Hansen’s ensuing support, ensures there will be an intriguing twist to the usual animosity between Australia and New Zealand during August’s first two Bledisloe Cup Tests.

Folau’s Wallaby and Waratahs teammates have rallied behind the star back, saying while they may not agree with his views they respect his right to express them.

Folau is in the midst of contract negotiations with Rugby Australia.

While there have been reports of big-money deals from the United Kingdom and a possible return to the NRL, those close to Folau say he is keen to remain in Australian rugby long term.

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Originally published as Hey Israel, the All Blacks don’t care if you’re gay or straight