Tahs says Israel Folau still king of the kids despite controversial views

THE Waratahs are adamant the club can restore Israel Folau as a key marketing figure over the next four years despite his controversial views on homosexuality.

Israel Folau flies high to score against the Reds. Picture: AAP

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WARATAHS boss Andrew Hore is adamant the club can restore Israel Folau as a key marketing figure over the next four years despite his controversial views on homosexuality because children care more about his athletic ability.

Folau has agreed to a four-year extension with the Tahs and Rugby Australia in a deal to be formally announced imminently.

The length of the deal has raised eyebrows considering Folau has barely been used for promotional and media duties this year after creating controversy with his religious views that gays are destined for hell.

Israel Folau flies high to score against the Reds. Picture: AAP

Folau will continue to be one of the highest paid players in Australian rugby.

Prior to the homophobic outburst, Folau had been one of most heavily marketed players for NSW and Australia but his personal views have forced the Waratahs and Wallabies to shield him from many public duties in 2018.

But Hore believes Folau can again become a key marketing weapon for rugby until his deal expires in 2022, even if some fans believe he does not represent the game’s values.

“There’s no doubt that kids look probably past his personal views on things and just look at his ability,” Hore said.

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“You’ve seen since that time he’s gone out to one of the sports high schools in western Sydney and done things with Kurtley [Beale’s] work and some of our camps, and the kids just love the athlete that he is.

“So that’s a key point for us.”

Folau won the Matt Burke Cup as NSW’s player of the season this year, and has still garnered much support while playing for the Wallabies.

Hore said Folau is not alone in his views among the Australian rugby community.

“I think there are a lot of players in the squad who, if you dug deep into some of those things, not everyone is going to agree,” Hore said.

“In any changing room anywhere in the world, the beauty of sport is that it brings people together that do have different views.

“The key thing is we are respectful in the way we express those views, being cognisant that whenever we are giving a view, we are respectful.”

While Folau has continued to post Christian material on social media, he has refrained from specifically attacking the gay community since May.

“Through that issue, everybody learned something,” Hore said.

“And that’s a good thing if we’re prepared to fall forward in a positive manner.

Israel Folau can inspire the next gen of rugby stars. Picture: Getty

“Any crisis or issue, you generally learn something from it, otherwise it can be a very awkward life if you’re not going to learn from your mistakes.”

Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson said on the back of Folau’s four-year deal, and skipper Michael Hooper’s five-year extension, rugby would shift from giving superstars one- and two-year contracts.

“If we’re really certain with a player which we know we want to keep in Australia long-term, I think they are going to become more commonplace,” Gibson said.

“You look at the Buddy Franklin situation, the Swans have signed him for a long time.

“It’s certainly something I’m sure a team will look at when you get a once in a generation player that you want to anchor your team through a decade.”

Wallabies and Brumbies prop Allan Alaalatoa will soon announce a new five-year deal.

The Tahs are poised to sign veteran Adam Ashley-Cooper for 2019.

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Originally published as Tahs says Israel Folau still king of the kids despite controversial views