Israel Folau reportedly plans to fight for his rugby career

Israel Folau is trying to stop the axe from falling on his rugby career but Rugby Australia and the NSW Waratahs are not backing down.

Israel Folau plans to fight for his career after meeting with Rugby Australia (RA) officials to discuss his latest anti-gay comments.

Folau met with Rugby Australia powerbrokers, including CEO Raelene Castle, and wants to salvage his career after the sport’s governing body threatened to fire him. However, RA reportedly told the superstar it is still intent on ripping up his contract.

Rugby Australia (RA) released a brief statement following their meeting with Folau on Friday, confirming the former NRL and AFL star has not yet convinced the governing body to overturn the organisation’s commitment to terminate his contract.

“Rugby Australia and NSW Rugby Union have met with Israel Folau in Sydney today,” RA stated.

“As the meeting was held in confidence between the player and his employers, Rugby Australia and the NSW Rugby Union will not comment on the discussions at the meeting.

“Following today’s meeting the two organisations will update their respective boards on the matter to consider next steps.

“Our joint position regarding Israel Folau is unchanged.”

NSW Rugby later announced Folau had been stood down from all player duties until further notice.

The Waratahs have the bye this weekend.

RA released a statement on Thursday saying it plans to terminate the Wallabies star’s contract after he sparked controversy by posting a message on Instagram declaring “hell awaits” homosexuals unless they repent for their “sins”.

Folau was seen in public for the first time since the scandal broke when Channel 9 cameras spotted him at a cafe in Sydney’s eastern suburbs with his wife and two other men on Friday. But the 30-year-old wasn’t in a talkative mood when approached by the network’s reporter Hannah Sinclair.

Asked how he felt about the possibility of losing his job or if he regrets his actions, Folau remained silent as he stepped into a car.

Folau’s appearance comes after it was revealed RA had tried to contact Folau and his representatives in the wake of the scandal, only for phone calls to go unreturned in the 24 hours after his controversial social media activity.

Foxsports.com.au reports one of the men Folau was seen with was Rugby Union Players’ Association CEO Prataal Raj. The RUPA had earlier issued a statement saying it did not condone Folau’s position but would work with him and the relevant rugby bodies to ensure he is treated fairly as he prepares for a Code of Conduct hearing that will ultimately determine his fate.

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The war of words engulfing Israel Folau doens't appear to be taking much of a toll on the Wallaby star... #9News pic.twitter.com/hv9uh0slEj

— Nine News Sydney (@9NewsSyd) April 12, 2019

Folau has been slammed for his comments as sports stars, sponsors and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison took aim at the Waratahs flyer.

“I thought they were terribly insensitive comments,” Mr Morrison said in a TV interview with the ABC.

Wallabies major sponsor Qantas, who threatened to pull its support last year following a series of provocative posts from Folau, also hit out over his latest act and former teammate Drew Mitchell told Macquarie Sports Radio Rugby Australia has been left with no choice but to sack him.

Australian UFC star Tai Tuivasa was one of many who blasted Folau on social media, writing: “You need a hiding ... I’ve seen you out blind as a skunk carrying on now you wanna be all churchy.”

And as speculation mounts about what Folau will do if punted by RA, it seems playing French rugby for Toulon isn’t a viable option after the team’s owner Mourad Boudjellal gave the Wallabies star a whack.

“The guy is a moron, he must leave. Or you have to buy him a brain,” Boudjellal said in an interview with L’Equipe.

Folau’s time in the gold jersey is up.

Sport Australia boss Kate Palmer commended Rugby Australia’s strong stance against discrimination and vilification and urged all sports to follow suit. She says RA’s plan to tear up Folau’s multimillion-dollar contract is a big step to ensuring safer sporting environments for all Australians.

“Discrimination is unacceptable and cannot be tolerated in any sport or recreation environment, at whatever level,” Ms Palmer said.

“Everyone is entitled to their own views but expressing divisive and discriminatory beliefs is harmful to sport and the broader Australian community.

“When people of influence use their public profiles to demean and discriminate, we cannot allow such divisive comments to go unchecked.

“As a sporting industry, we must stand together and call out against any form of discrimination whether it is based on sexuality, race, gender or disability.”

The NRL has also put to bed any suggestions Folau will return to the code where he first made a name for himself.

ARLC chairman Peter Beattie said the dual international failed the character test and the league would not register a contract.

“Israel Folau fails the NRL’s inclusiveness culture, which is a policy strongly supported by the ARLC,” Mr Beattie told AAP. “The ARLC therefore would not support his registration to play NRL.”

Folau played 91 matches for Melbourne and Brisbane as well as eight State of Origins and eight Tests before switching to the AFL and rugby union.

With AAP

Originally published as Israel Folau reportedly plans to fight for his rugby career