Folau booed repeatedly as queer statement made

1 year ago 80

Israel Folau has been repeatedly booed by members of the assemblage astatine Twickenham portion playing for World XV successful their 48-42 nonaccomplishment to the Barbarians.

Throughout the accumulation lucifer successful London, large boos rang astir the stadium and were heard connected the lucifer broadcast whenever Folau handled the ball.

The erstwhile Wallabies fullback was sacked by Rugby Australia successful 2019 pursuing a homophobic societal media post.

In protestation of Folau's enactment for the Killik Cup clash, the Rugby Football Union flew a pridefulness emblem supra the ground, portion a radical of spectators wore rainbow covering and waved flags to amusement their enactment for the LGBTQ+ community.

Despite the distraction, Folau scored a effort successful the 24th minute.

Speaking post-match, World XV and erstwhile All Blacks manager Steve Hansen said the booing was of nary payment to anyone.

"Everyone is allowed an opinion. We don't needfully person to hold with each different connected our opinions but you are entitled to person one," helium told the media.

"You can't beryllium punished for the remainder of your beingness for having an sentiment that astir of america disagree with. I've ever been a large believer that you can't assistance idiosyncratic alteration by leaving them connected the outside."

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Nonchalantly sporting a pridefulness wristband, Hansen said helium did not broach the booing with Folau aft the match.

"We didn't talk astir [the booing]," helium said.

"It was much astir the crippled of footy that we spoke about."

Hansen was previously forced to support his enactment Folau, claiming the determination was purely based connected his playing ability.

Israel Folau looks connected during the Killik Cup lucifer betwixt Barbarians and World XV astatine Twickenham. (David Rogers via Getty Images)

Of wearing the wristband Hansen said, "I thought I would enactment them. The assemblage is simply a peculiar 1 and each quality being deserves to beryllium loved and cared for and judged connected their ain merits".

Wallabies manager Eddie Jones - who led the Barbarians - said helium did not announcement the booing, but was gladsome to spot Folau backmost playing planetary rugby.

"I didn't perceive it, I was watching the game," helium said.

"We privation each bully players to beryllium playing planetary rugby and for him (Folau) to get the accidental to play again, that three-year regularisation from World Rugby is simply a precise sensible rule.

"It gives players who person represented different countries and person earthy allegiances to different state a accidental to play. That is precise good."

Folau is expected to correspond Tonga astatine this year's World Cup.

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