Wallabies coach Michael Cheika says Israel Folau’s controversial views won’t be an ongoing issue

WALLABIES coach Michael Cheika has given his strongest indication that he believes controversial fullback Israel Folau will stop posting anti-gay messages — saying he doesn’t expect it to be an ongoing issue.

FAR from being in rival camps over their views on homosexuality, David Pocock and Israel Folau have talked privately several times in recent weeks and the Wallabies stars could even enter the June Test series with a stronger bond due to the dialogue.

That’s the view of Wallabies coach Michael Cheika, who expressed confidence Folau will be cooling his social media output to avoid distractions for the team and also launched a defence of rugby as an inclusive sport that once welcomed an “ethnic kid” like him into its ranks.

Cheika fronted a press conference in Sydney to promote the Wallabies’ three-Test series against Ireland next month but questions about Folau’s divisive stance on gay people were quickly raised.

Israel Folau has been at the centre of a storm of controversy over his stance.

Folau controversially replied to a question on Instagram in April that gay people, as sinners, would go to hell unless they repented. He escaped sanction from Rugby Australia on free speech grounds but amid public and sponsor backlash, Folau said he would quit rugby before giving up his Christian beliefs. He later shared a controversial preacher’s video.

More Folau tweeting loomed as a time bomb for Cheika in the June series but after a recent camp involving 20 top Wallabies in Queensland, the coach indicated his star fullback would cease posting provocative messages.

David Pocock has staunchly liberal opinions on issues such as gay marriage.

It appears Folau has come to grips the impact of the media attention on his teammates, who have to answer questions about his views and often aren’t happy about it.

“Obviously there has been a lot said about it but I don’t believe it is going to be an ongoing issue, because I don’t believe it is going to be ongoing,” Cheika said.

“Of course we have spoken. We speak about that, we speak about footy. Of course we have spoken about it.

“I think he does understand that (potential distraction for teammates) yeah. But what is more important is that he doesn’t want to create that.

“He wants to play the footy that he’s been playing the last few weeks, which has been awesome.”

Cheika (L) was the man who brought Israel Folau across to rugby in 2012.

The two-day camp for senior Wallabies players on May 7-8 at Sanctuary Cove also allowed Folau and Pocock — an open advocate for gay rights — to defuse any tensions; real or perceived.

The pair were framed as opponents last year when Folau tweeted against marriage equality and Pocock tweeted in favour soon after; albeit with unintentional timing, the flanker claimed.

“We were all together in the camp for the couple of days we were there, getting on with business,” Cheika said.

“​They were together talking and I know they have been talking as well, and communicating, since the camp as well. They’re trying to help each other.

“The one thing I know, with all this debate going on, and all the things that have been said is that rugby is a game where everyone can play and everyone can get along.

“Even when you don’t all agree, you can still all get on.

“If anything, it allows them to have more of a connection in the fact they can discuss whatever they’re talking about and getting on with it. That’s exactly what they’ve been able to do.”

Sponsors have begun to abandon Israel Folau over his anti-gay messages.

Cheika indicated he’d addressed the issue of social media use with Folau with a view to minimising distractions inside the Wallabies’ June campaign and beyond, as opposed to a wider social response.

But the Test coach also stressed that any criticisms of rugby for not being inclusive and welcoming is way off the mark, and Cheika cited his own experience as a Lebanese kid in Coogee as evidence.

“It’s a game for everyone, it always has been,” Cheika said.

“Look at me. Ethnic kid, growing up in a different era and I was one of the few ethnic kids playing rugby at the time. No-one said boo to me, it was come and play and do your best.

Michael Cheika during his playing days for Randwick, where he forged a friendship with Simon Poidevin.

“One my best mates was Simon Poidevin, one of the most typical rugby guys you’d find. And we are still best mates today.

“Whether you are from different countries, or different places in Australia or different demographics, different genders, everyone can play and everyone can get along. But not everyone always agrees with each other.

“But when we get out there and play in a jersey together, we can get along and play because that’s what we want to do, we want to play footy.

“That’s what rugby has always been about.”

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Originally published as Wallabies coach Michael Cheika says Israel Folau’s controversial views won’t be an ongoing issue