Michael Cheika says Israel Folau’s performance won’t be impacted by same sex-marriage backlash

WALLABIES coach Michael Cheika has thrown his support behind Israel Folau after the fullback copped a barrage of criticism for his “vote no” on same-sex marriage tweet.

Michael Cheika says Folau won’t be distracted by the social media backlash.

ISRAEL Folau will not be distracted in Saturday’s Test against Argentina after the firestorm his same-sex marriage Tweet created, Wallabies coach Michael Cheika believes.

Folau has received significant backlash for saying he will vote “no” against the campaign to allow same-sex couples to get married, and is the first high-profile athlete to express that sentiment in Australia.

Fellow Wallabies star David Pocock posted Tweets in favour of same-sex marriage after Folau’s declaration, as did All Blacks halfback TJ Perenara and former Australian cricketer Shane Watson.

I love and respect all people for who they are and their opinions. but personally, I will not support gay marriage.✌❤🙏

— Israel Folau (@IzzyFolau) September 13, 2017

Love should have no boundaries #VoteYes #MarriageEquality https://t.co/KaJXpJ5NII

— Shane Watson (@ShaneRWatson33) September 13, 2017

'Love doesn't discriminate, why should we? Join NZ and vote yes to equality!!' @ Auckland City https://t.co/etoiQnaSue

— Tj Perenara (@Tj_Perenara) September 13, 2017

But Cheika says the response would not affect the star fullback’s performance in Canberra.

“I don’t think so, you’d have to think that he would know that would happen and he’d be ready for that,” Cheika said.

“It’s an opinion, and it’s his opinion, and that’s the way we should operate in this environment with this question being asked, or any question being asked, is respect peoples’ opinion.”

While the ARU publicly declared its support for the “yes” vote earlier this week, Cheika said Folau’s stance would not divide the Wallabies camp.

Michael Cheika says Folau won’t be distracted by the social media backlash.

“I don’t see how it could make a division within the team, how could that happen? This is a national issue, for the reason that they made it I’m not sure,” Cheika said.

“Respect is king, there are a lot of people who have different opinions about lots of things in our team, and I think our team is a reflection of Australia.

“One of the great things about Australia is that you can say what you feel, and you can have respect given to you and pay respect to others.

“Internally we’ve got 100 per cent respect for everyone’s opinions on all matters.”

Originally published as Michael Cheika says Israel Folau’s performance won’t be impacted by same sex-marriage backlash