Israel Folau to clash with first player to call him out over ‘gays to hell’

HE was the first high-profile rugby player to publicly vent his “disgust” over Israel Folau’s “gays to hell” comments. Now Chiefs halfback Brad Weber will line up against his Waratahs nemesis.

Israel Folau will come face-to-face with one of his biggest detractors.

COACH Daryl Gibson says the Waratahs have left “the Israel stuff” behind them but NSW’s clash with the Chiefs will have an added layer of intrigue on Saturday after Brad Weber was named as starting halfback for the Kiwi side.

Weber ​​spoke out publicly against Israel Folau in ​April ​when the Waratahs fullback posted the controversial comment on Instagram that gay people would go to hell unless they repented their sins.

“Kinda sick of us players staying quiet on some of this stuff. I can’t stand that I have to play this game that I love with people, like Folau, who say what he’s saying,” Weber tweeted, adding he had gay family members.

Israel Folau will come face-to-face with one of his biggest detractors.

“To think that I play against someone that says they’ll go to Hell for being gay disgusts me.”

Weber received support in New Zealand ​​and Folau and the Waratahs were greeted by a protester on arrival in Christchurch earlier this month.

Gibson said the team hadn’t spoken about their reception in New Zealand ahead of the Chiefs’ game.

CHEIKA: Anti-gay controversy brings Folau, Pocock closer

“The Israel stuff we have put behind us, we don’t see that as an issue,” Gibson said.

“Brad Weber, he was entitled to his opinion and we don’t see that as an issue. It has been put behind us and we are looking forward to the game.”

​If the last month is anything to go by, Folau won’t be letting any backlash or interactions with Weber distract​ him, either.

My cousin and her partner, and my Aunty and her partner are some of the most kind, caring & loving people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. To think that I play against someone that says they'll go to Hell for being gay disgusts me. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈

— Brad Weber (@brad_weber9) April 17, 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

Despite the huge reaction to his divisive religious messages, Folau has returned from a hamstring injury in form that Gibson believes is near-to career-best. He said Folau’s ability to compartmentalise on and off-field issues is “extraordinary”.

“His performances over the last three weeks have been outstanding, it’s probably been some of the best rugby he’s played. It’s remarkable, his mental strength,” Gibson said.

Though wind and rain are expected in Hamilton, Gibson said the Tahs still intended to use Folau as a “world’s best” weapon via attacking kicks, which they ​first flagged​ earlier this year.

Since then Folau has been arguably getting more ball, and making breaks, via passing but Gibson said that was two sides of the same coin.

Israel Folau has been in sizzling form.

“It’s the opportunities you open up on the back of that, because you have to defend it somehow,” Gibson said.

“You can put your man wide to defend him, which opens up the middle. Or you don’t. That’s why we like to use him.”

Cheika made just one change to his starting side with Nick Phipps recalled at halfback.

On the bench, Brad Wilkin got a popular call-up for his debut after the flanker suffered back-to-back season-ending knee injuries in the last two years.

Gibson said the Chiefs, who are this week without All Black star Sam Cane at flanker, had been hammered by 20-plus injuries this year they were still a formidable opponent.

Brad Weber in action for the Chiefs.

They boast All Black stars Brodie Retallick, Damien McKenzie, Charlie Ngatai and Anton Lienert-Brown, along with former NSW prop Angus Ta’avao.

“It’ll be a really physical (challenge),” Gibson said.

“The way they play the game, they’re really strong at the contact and at the breakdown and they really challenge in that area. We know conditions are likely to be greasy, there has been a lot of rain in New Zealand this week.

“That’ll play into that. That’s what we are steeling ourselves for.

“Also the Chiefs have always been very good ball-in-hand, loose play situations. We can’t afford to be loose in any way.”

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Originally published as Israel Folau to clash with first player to call him out over ‘gays to hell’