Rugby World Cup 2019: Wallabies star David Pocock opens up about Folau scandal

Rugby legend David Pocock has revealed how the Wallabies have reacted to the Israel Folau controversy as they head into the World Cup.

David Pocock is open about his progressive views on social issues like gay marriage. Picture: Getty Images

Rugby legend David Pocock has revealed the Wallabies are a tighter unit in the wake of the Israel Folau scandal as they head into the World Cup.

Just days out from the competition’s kick-off in Japan, Pocock spoke about the role of sports stars in social issues on the latest episode of GQ Australia’s new podcast The Men Who Raised Us, out on Thursday.

David Pocock is open about his progressive views on social issues like gay marriage. Picture: Getty Images

Addressing the Folau incident, he said he was impressed by Rugby Australia’s work around equality.

“I’ll speak for myself. I’m so proud of the work that Rugby Australia has done in coming up with an inclusion policy, really trying to make the sport more inclusive and we’ve still got a long way to go as we do in society, but there’s certainly been improvements there.”

Folau was sacked for posting religiously inspired homophobic comments on social media. It caused a massive distraction for players, officials and fans alike but despite that, Pocock was optimistic about his team’s chances in the Cup.

“This year I think, you know, it’s the tightest I’ve ever seen it,” he said.

“We’ll be working on the day-to-day stuff and really trying to build momentum into the knockout stages and who knows, once you are there anything is possible.”

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Rugby legend David Pocock of Australia trains during a gym session in Odawara, Japan. Picture: Getty Images

The 31-year-old flanker, born in Zimbabwe, is open about his progressive views on social issues like gay marriage.

He is increasingly concerned by climate change and urged people to get involved in tomorrow’s Climate Strike demonstration, just hours before the Cup commences.

“I really don’t think there is anything bigger than the climate emergency,” he said.

“Something like the Climate Strike on Friday gives people an opportunity to actually get out there and actually let their voice be heard and stand alongside young people who are too young to vote, but this is going to affect their future.”

Pocock is the latest in a line of celebrities opening up on what it is to be male in the podcast, which earlier this week featured cricket ace Michael Clarke discussing how fatherhood shaped his career for the better.

The Brumbies star, who has played in Japan’s Top League, told GQ sports personalities can be a force for good in society and hinted at a future job shift to more work in that area. Quizzed about a possible role in politics, he said there is nothing “inspiring” about the current political landscape.

“I certainly want to be part of building a more regenerative culture, a more just culture that’s looking a lot further into the future than the three years that we seem to currently just look at.

“Despite what politicians would like you to believe there is a long history of sports and politics mixing and I believe sport is at its best when it is challenging people to be more inclusive, to think about issues that potentially don’t get as much airtime as they should. You look at people like Muhammad Ali, you know, he put everything on the line for his beliefs with the Vietnam War.”

Listen to GQ Australia’s The Men Who Raised Us on your favourite podcast platform.

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Originally published as Rugby World Cup 2019: Wallabies star David Pocock opens up about Folau scandal