Move to pull $20m sponsorship from rugby is ‘un-Australian’

Qantas held a gun to the head of Rugby Australia last year and forced them to sack Israel Folau, the best player of his generation. Now the Flying Kangaroo has deserted the game in its hour of need, writes Miranda Devine.

• Qantas pulls $20m in sponsorship, dumps Wallabies
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Qantas held a gun to the head of Rugby Australia last year and forced them to sack Israel Folau, the best player of his generation. Now the Flying Kangaroo has deserted the game in its hour of need.

What an un-Australian act of bastardry.

Qantas bullied RA’s hapless then-CEO Raelene Castle into crippling the game over his personal affront against Folau for the shocking transgression of quoting the Bible on Instagram.

Raylene Castle and Andrew Hoare arrive ahead of Rugby Australia's code of conduct hearing into social media posts by Israel Folau last year

Qantas reportedly threatened to withdraw its $4 million sponsorship of the Wallabies over the scandal.

Castle kowtowed and eliminated Folau for his devout Christian faith, throwing the code into disrepute, trashing morale and embroiling RA in a costly legal battle.

The upshot was an embarrassing apology to Folau, a settlement believed to be $3 million, plus legal fees, and a World Cup performance best not mentioned. Those most responsible for the debacle, Castle and RA chairman Cameron Clyne, soon departed for greener pastures.

Israel Folau and wife Maria Folau leave the Federal Circuit Court in Melbourne following his legal dispute with Rugby Australia.

Rugby Australia had surrendered their decision-making to Qantas, lost their best player, jettisoned their pride, dignity, honour and integrity. And still, after all that pain, without a moment’s remorse, Qantas walked away from their 30-year partnership this week.

Now, having sold its soul, RA is broke, with no major sponsor, and no broadcast deal beyond this year.

Who is surprised?

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Qantas never cared about the game. It got much more from rugby than the game ever gained from woke sponsorship dollars with so many strings attached.

The damage to the game hurts worst at the grassroots, kids who strap on the boots for their local club, volunteer coaches and managers, disappointed fans.

It’s karma, but the wrong people pay.

Israel Folau in action for Australia against England.