Waratahs hold Israel Folau crisis talks behind closed doors ahead of crucial clash with Lions

The Waratahs have held crisis talks in South Africa as players remain divided about whether Israel Folau deserves to be kicked out of the game. But they won’t let it affect their Super Rugby performances.

The Waratahs have struggled for form since Israel Folau’s enforced absence.

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It’s no secret the Waratahs are deeply divided about whether their superstar teammate Israel Folau deserves to be kicked out of the game.

But after holding clear the air talks in South Africa, they have agreed not to let their differences destroy the team as they desperately try to save their season.

The players don’t see eye-to-eye about whether Folau’s social media comments were a homophobic attack or just an expression of his religious beliefs, but team bosses are taking no chances after the most divisive issue in Australian rugby for decades.

Waratahs general manager Tim Rapp even flew to Johannesburg to brief players about Folau’s hearing ahead of this weekend’s Super Rugby clash with the Lions.

The Waratahs have struggled for form since Israel Folau’s enforced absence.

NSW coach Daryl Gibson said the players were all encouraged to be completely open and transparent and while opinions were split about Folau, they all agreed the team still came first.

“We’ve tried to keep our boys updated every step of the way with what’s going on with our teammate because there’s still a lot of love and care for Israel within the team — he’s a teammate, we care for him,” Gibson said.

“I think we’ve been very mature and adult in making sure that all our opinions are expressed to him (general manager Tim Rapp).

“I think our team has become a lot closer for it and we can celebrate the fact that we don’t have to all agree or disagree on where we sit, but we are joined in one common purpose and that’s playing for the Waratahs.”

NSW have fallen in a giant hole since the Folau scandal first broke.

They did win their first match immediately after he was stood down, beating the Crusaders, but have lost four of their five matches since to plummet to 12th place on the ladder.

“It’s been difficult to not let that be a distraction — it’s around us, it’s a high news story so it would be naive for me to say it hasn’t been a distraction,” Gibson said.

“But that doesn’t take away or excuse our performances which haven’t been good enough. In a way it’s really galvanised our team, it’s brought us together.”

Runners-up for each of the past three seasons, the Lions are also struggling on the field this year, currently at the bottom of the South African conference standings but are a formidable opponent on the highveld.

No.8 Michael Wells returns from injury. Picture: Getty

The Waratahs have made three changes to the starting side that lost to the Bulls last week.

No. 8 Michael Wells returns from injury, so Ned Hanigan moves to blindside flanker and Lachlan Swinton drops out of the squad.

Alex Newsome replaces Curtis Rona on the left wing and Lalakai Foketi starts at outside centre for Adam Ashley-Cooper while Tolu Latu comes on to the bench for Andrew Tuala.

“The margins are so fine for us at the moment but we haven’t had the ability to win those close games,” Gibson said.

“The boys are well aware of just how tight this competition is, how critical this game is and what a win can do for the momentum in our season.”

LIONS V WARATAHS

Ellis Park, Saturday 11.05pm (AEST)

Waratahs: 1. Harry Johnson-Holmes, 2. Damien Fitzpatrick, 3. Sekope Kepu, 4. Tom Staniforth, 5. Rob Simmons, 6. Ned Hanigan, 7. Michael Hooper, 8. Michael Wells, 9. Nick Phipps, 10. Bernard Foley, 11. Alex Newsome, 12. Karmichael Hunt, 13. Lalakai Foketi, 14. Cam Clark, 15. Kurtley Beale. Reserves: 16. Tolu Latu, 17. Tom Robertson, 18. Chris Talakai, 19. Hugh Sinclair, 20. Will Miller, 21. Jake Gordon, 22. Adam Ashley-Cooper, 23. Curtis Rona