Folau’s Wallaby career over

Israel Folau can expect to have his $4m contract torn up over his latest homophobic comments.

Israel Folau of the Waratahs during the round 8 Super Rugby match between the Blues and Waratahs last weekend. Picture: Getty

When Israel Folau emerges from hiding, he can expect to have his $4 million four-year contract torn up by Rugby Australia unless he can present any telling mitigating factors behind his homophobic comments on social media.

Folau has been off the air and uncontactable since he posted two warnings on social media on Wednesday night that “drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars and fornicators” are headed for Hell. It is believed he may have remained in New Zealand following the Waratahs’ Super Rugby match against the Blues.

“While Israel is entitled to his religious beliefs, the way in which he has expressed these beliefs is inconsistent with the values of the sport,” RA executive director Raelene Castle and NSW Rugby Union CEO Andrew Hore said in a statement released last night. “We want to make it clear that he does not speak for the game with his recent social media posts.

“Israel has failed to understand that the expectation of him as a Rugby Australia and NSW Waratah employee is that he cannot share material on social media that condemns, vilifies or discriminates against people on the basis of their sexuality. As a code, we have made it clear to Israel formally and repeatedly that any social media posts or commentary that is in any way disrespectful to people because of their sexuality will result in disciplinary action.

“In the absence of compelling mitigating factors, it is our intention to terminate his contract.”

It is an extraordinary decision of RA to cut loose its highest-paid, highest-profile player in a World Cup year and virtually cripples the Wallabies’ hopes at the tournament in Japan in September.

It was the second time in a year that Folau had used social media to spread homophobic comments and it left RA with little option but to sack him.

Folau’s initial outburst in 2018 did not lead to a sanction, with RA concerned not to trample on the religious freedoms of an employee. At the time, however, Castle secured from Folau assurances that all his future social media posts would be non-offensive. After that, the organisation had entered into an agreement with him to secure him through to 2022.

On Wednesday, Folau defied his employers by posting yet another warning. So, for all the grey areas, ultimately it came down to a simple case of not abiding by the terms of his contract. This time, there were no second chances for Australian rugby’s best and arguably most popular player.

Naming-rights sponsor Qantas had threatened last April to withdraw its support of the code because of Folau’s actions but had been persuaded he would not reoffend. It is understood RA had begun to renegotiate its sponsorship with Qantas only days before Folau’s second outburst.

“These comments are really disappointing and clearly don’t reflect the spirit of inclusion and diversity that we support,” a Qantas statement said yesterday. “We are pleased to see Rugby Australia’s condemnation of the comments and we await the outcome of their review.”

Another sponsor, Land Rover, was so angered by Folau’s actions last year it withdrew its private sponsorships of him and reclaimed a vehicle he was using. Even the Australian Rugby Foundation declined to renew its support of Folau, which meant its $200,000 annual contribution to his $1.2m salary was missing when he renegotiated.