Israel Folau given nasty reception playing for the World XV at Twickenham

Israel Folau’s coach wore a pride wristband as he defended the selection of the former Wallabies star after a torrid reception in England.

World Cup winning All Blacks coach Steve Hansen says Israel Folau should be given a chance to change and not condemned after he was booed every time he touched the ball playing for the World XV at Twickenham.

The Rugby Football Union flew a pride flag over the ground in response to the selection of Folau who was sacked by Rugby Australia in 2019 for a series of social media posts, including a claim that homosexuals were “headed to hell”.

Hansen wore a pride wristband but having backed the selection of Folau as a “great rugby player”, wasn’t convinced booing the former Wallabies star would ever help him change his ways.

“Everyone is allowed an opinion; we don’t necessarily have to agree with each other on our opinions, but you are entitled to have one,” Hansen said at the post-match press conference,

“You can’t be punished for the rest of your life for having an opinion that most of us disagree with. I’ve always been a great believer that you can’t help somebody change by leaving them on the outside.”

The pride flag flies high at Twickenham with Israel Folou ready to play for the World XV. #KillikCup#Baabaaspic.twitter.com/VDmOtPYPGH

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) May 28, 2023

Hansen spoke to Folau after the game but not about the booing.

“It was more about the game of footy that we spoke about,” he said, declaring he happily wore the pride wristband.

“I thought I would support them. The community is a special one and every human being deserves to be loved and cared for and judged on their own merits.”

Israel Folau copped it from the crowd. Picture: David Rogers/Getty Images

Hansen’s World XV lost 48-42 to the Barbarians coached by Wallabies mentor Eddie Jones, who said he didn’t hear the booing of Folau, who has changed allegiances to Tonga.

Jones said he was glad to see Folau back on a big stage.

“I didn’t hear it, I was watching the game,” he said.

“We want all good players to be playing international rugby and for him (Folau) to get the opportunity to play again, that three-year rule from World Rugby is a very sensible rule.

“It gives players who have represented other countries and have natural allegiances to another country a chance to play. That is very good.”

Originally published as Israel Folau given nasty reception playing for the World XV at Twickenham