Sekope Kepu supports Israel Folau as English rugby boss slams Wallabies star

Off-field furore won’t distract Israel Folau in his return from injury, teammates say.

Israel Folau is ready to make his Waratahs return.

WARATAHS star Israel Folau is raring to return to Super Rugby next Saturday and will do his talking on the field after weeks of off-field controversy, his teammate and friend Sekope Kepu has declared.

Folau has missed the past month with a hamstring injury but will be fit to take on Auckland’s Blues at Brookvale Oval.

Kepu said the Waratahs, who lost 29-0 in their last match to the Lions, had not been distracted by Folau’s divisive comments about homosexuals as England’s rugby boss became the latest influential figure to slam the Wallabies fullback.

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Kepu said Folau would not let the furore affect his on-field performance.

“I don’t think so, he’s been awesome around the group, the boys have been fantastic, we haven’t let it get to us as a team,” Kepu said.

“Israel’s raring to go. We catch up every now and then, and he can’t wait to get out of rehab.

“It’s a tough gig training by yourself, coming in on days off and doing early sessions when the other boys aren’t around, but I think it’s a good little reboot for him.

Israel Folau is ready to make his Waratahs return.

“He’s looking forward to getting back, and that’s where he does his talking best, out on the field.

“The group will be happy to have him back as an added strike weapon.”

The RFU’s chief executive Stephen Brown followed All Blacks coach Steve Hansen, halfback TJ Perenara and international referee Nigel Owens in denouncing Folau’s views that gays are destined for hell unless they repent of their sins.

“The kind of attitude that’s presented there is not acceptable, personally I feel quite strongly about that,” Brown told the RugbyPass website.

“The most important thing is that we have people with the right moral values and approach the spirit and inclusivity of our game ... so there literally is no place for that kind of attitude. “There is a responsibility when you put that shirt on, it’s not just about being an elite performer. It’s about representing your country and I believe most rugby players know that.”

Brown’s strong comments are particularly interesting given Folau, off contract this year, has been linked with a move to English clubs.

Kepu said Folau retained the support of his Tahs teammates amid the backlash.

“Everybody has their opinion, I just try to be there for him, support him as a fellow teammate, as a brother, and as a fellow Christian,” Kepu said.

“He’s been awesome, the way he’s responded.

Sekope Kepu (right), is looking foward to Israel Folau’s return.

“I saw it as simple as it was; someone asked him a question and he answered with a biblical answer.

“Everyone’s carrying on about it, but we’ve put it behind us and we’re looking forward to playing footy.”

The Tahs believe they can quickly rectify the problems exposed in the defeat to the Lions that ended a four-match winning streak.

“After doing the review, all the things we didn’t do, the minor errors, they’re things we can fix,” said Kepu, referencing their rolling maul defence and scrum as key targets.

“When you play in those big games and you’re slightly off, it can come back to haunt you.”

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Originally published as Sekope Kepu supports Israel Folau as English rugby boss slams Wallabies star