Israel Folau: Alan Jones calls Rugby Australia ruling ‘Orwellian’

Alan Jones delivers a scathing assessment of Rugby Australia as Israel Folau breaks his silence.

Former Wallabies coach, now broadcaster, Alan Jones. Picture: AAP

Alan Jones has delivered a passionate tirade against the Israel Folau ruling which found the Wallabies star had committed a “high level” breach of his contract describing Rugby Australia’s treatment of him as “Orwellian”.

“The Australia that our Anzacs fought for seems to be disappearing before our very eyes,” the 2GB broadcaster told his listeners. “This is not the Australia our veterans fought for and we’re going to have to take our country back by argument and by the democratic and peaceful process — not by hate and revenge or vilification and intimidation.”

Jones, a former Wallabies coach, also relayed a message he said he had received from Folau. “I’ve just had a note form Israel, he won’t mind if I’m sharing it with you because I said to him, ‘Hold your head up’,” Jones said.

“He said, ‘Alan, I’m at peace, mate. My head is held high’.”

Jones said there was “nothing wrong with Israel, it’s the society and those who prosecute him who are sick’’.

“But the cancer won’t kill us, it’s the cancer that will be removed, not Israel. The Australian people won’t accept this,’’ he said.

Jones read extracts from the maiden speech of NSW’s One Nation leader, Mark Latham, which will be delivered to state parliament today. Jones called it an “outstanding” speech on freedom of speech and western civilisation.

Former Wallabies star Israel Folau. Picture: AAP

Jones said Latham’s speech would say that “all Israel Folau has done is say what people have said for hundreds of years under the banner of the bible.”

Jones went on to lash out at Wallabies sponsor, Qantas. “This is the intrusion of politics into sport mainly from the sponsor of Wallabies, Qantas,” he said.

The former Wallabies coach said he was now ashamed of the game. “Rugby union preaches diversity — they really mean uniformity. They preach inclusion but they exclude Israel,’’ he said.

“We take oaths of office in every court of the land. The Prime Minister is sworn in with his hand on the Bible — the same bible which Israel Folau has quoted and he’s now had his dignity, his integrity, his employment, his vocation and his income stolen from him.

“I coached Australian rugby, I was proud of it, I was proud of the boys and I was proud of everything we stood for. Today, I’m ashamed of the people who’ve inherited our proud legacy.

“The battle has just begun, and it’s a battle for all Australians. If we’re not free to articulate our religious beliefs and quote from the bible, and if we’re not free to speak for fear that someone affects a hurt or is part of the offence industry, if that’s where we’ve reached in this country, we’ve reached a dark place and we are all at risk.”

Jones also condemned Rugby Australia on Sky News last night. “They say they believe in diversity but they then want uniformity, and so there will be a punishment handed down,” he said. “It is war — Israel will go if he has to go right to the High Court.”