SA Rugbymag

South African rugby news, fixtures, results, video, interviews, and more. Covering the Springboks, Bulls, Stormers/Western Province, Sharks, Cheetahs, Kings and Lions, as well as schools and club rugby.

Primary Menu Search
  • Home
  • Match Centre
  • British & Irish Lions
  • Videos
  • Supabets
  • Cars
    • Motoring News
    • Used Cars For Sale
    • New Cars For Sale
    • Demo Cars For Sale
  • Daddy’s Deals

You are here: Home ∼ Folau’s latest claim ‘absurd’

Folau’s latest claim ‘absurd’

Israel Folau Israel Folau
Published on November 28, 2019

Former Wallaby Peter FitzSimons says Israel Folau stood no chance of captaining the Wallabies during the 2019 World Cup in Japan.

Folau is embroiled in a bitter legal dispute with Rugby Australia after his multi-million-dollar contract was terminated following his controversial social media post in April stating homosexuals are destined for hell unless they repent their sins. The former Wallabies fullback is arguing that his termination was a case of religious discrimination.

ALSO READ: Folau offered public apology

As part of his raised A$14-million claim from the original A$10m, Folau now says that he was robbed of the chance to lead the Wallabies during the World Cup in Japan. Potential earnings from match performances and sponsorship have been included in the claim. He has also argued that the Wallabies could have achieved a ‘superior performance’ and gone further into the tournament had he been part of the squad.

Outspoken former Wallaby and rugby writer FitzSimons strongly disagrees with Folau.

‘It just gets ever more absurd,’ FitzSimons said on TVNZ. ‘From a distance, I just thought, “What? Captain?”… but Michael Cheika, who was the Wallabies coach of course, he moved through seven vice-captains.

‘The last time Australian rugby had a fullback as captain was in 1980. It was Paul McLean, it was one Test, and after that the theory in Australian rugby was that fullback was too far from the main game to be the captain, so the tradition in Australian rugby is we don’t have a fullback as a captain. I find the claim absolutely absurd.’

The facts do support FitzSimons’ argument. In the history of Australian rugby, only one player led the Wallabies in more than one Test and that dates back to the 1930s. In 643 Tests, the Wallabies have only been captained by a fullback on seven occasions.

Looking at the picture as a whole, in the 310 Test matches in the professional era, Australia have never been captained by a fullback. Ironically, Wales fullback Gareth Thomas, who came out as homosexual in December 2009, has lead a tier-one team the most in the position.

Only one full back has captained Australia more than once in the entire history of the Wallabies. That was in the 1930s.

Australia have played 643 tests. They have been captained by a full back in 7 (1.1%). The last time was in 1980. https://t.co/zxt70SwfVj

— Simon Gleave (@SimonGleave) November 27, 2019

Added to this, Folau had never captained a team during his professional career, while Cheika said that he would not select Folau for the Wallabies and captain Michael Hooper admitted it would be difficult to play alongside him again.

The 30-year-old also made headlines by linking Australia’s recent bushfires and droughts to Australia’s stance on same-sex marriage and abortion.

‘It doesn’t have the closest grip on reality and I worry about that kind of stuff,’ FitzSimons added. ‘If he actually believes that, then I respectfully submit his remaining friends need to sit him down, give him a hug and say, “C’mon mate, we’ve got to get you some help here. This is not real.”‘

Photo: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Posted in Test Rugby, Top headlines Tagged Israel Folau, Peter FitzSimons, Test Rugby

Post by SA Rugby magazine

SA Rugby magazine

MPU #1 - (DESKTOP SIZE 300x250 / MOBILE SIZE 320x50, 300x250, 320x100)
← Previous Next →

Ratings: Du Toit one of the few standouts for Boks

The Boks faded in the second half to slump to a 22-17...

Five key areas the Boks need to dominate for first victory

SA Rugby magazine highlights five crucial areas the Boks will need to...

Duhan should be celebrated for his Lions success

Duhan van der Merwe’s achievements should be truly appreciated by South Africans,...

JdV: Boks-Lions have everything to play for

Performing in empty stadiums will be a key factor in the series...

Dynamic Dayimani: Forward to back

While he has been signed as an ‘edge’ forward, Hacjivah Dayimani could...

Boks have muscle memory to rely on

Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber are experts at finding solutions to tricky...

Top six: Best and worst foreign imports

SARugbymag.co.za identifies six of the best and worst foreign players to play...

Column: When context is needed

As highlighted by the Argentina controversy, ‘cancel culture’ needs a spoonful of...

Dark cloud hangs over WP Rugby

The problems at Western Province Rugby are layered, and everyone involved needs...

From the mag: Foreign Favourites

As Vodacom Super Rugby turned 25 this year, JON CARDINELLI picks an...

Bulls rookies to watch

After a massive exodus of players the Vodacom Bulls will be eager...

Analysis: The new suffocate-and-strangle game

For the Boks to emerge as World Cup winners, they need to...

VIEW MORE
  • Team graphics: Springboks vs B&I Lions
  • Boks vs Lions (1st Test): Predict and WIN!
  • Lions team announcement: Duhan to front Boks
  • Teams: SA A vs Bulls
Boks

Why the Boks should be bullish

There is good reason for the Springboks to enter the British & Irish Lions series with confidence, writes MARK KEOHANE in the latest SA Rugby magazine.

  • Watch: Did Gatland’s words influence Jonker?


COVID-19 Corona Virus
South African Resource Portal

ABOUT

  • Contact us
  • Competitions
  • Videos
  • Player Features
  • Subscribe
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy Policy

TOURNAMENTS

    • Rugby Championship
    • Super Rugby
    • Currie Cup
    • Varsity Cup
    • Gold Cup
    • Schools
    • Six Nations
    • Champions Cup
    • World Cup

OPINION

  • Mallett on SuperSport
  • Cardinelli column
  • Lewis column
  • Xabanisa column
  • Borchardt column
  • Superbru

Primary Menu

  • Home
  • Match Centre
  • British & Irish Lions
  • Videos
  • Supabets
  • Cars
    • Motoring News
    • Used Cars For Sale
    • New Cars For Sale
    • Demo Cars For Sale
  • Daddy’s Deals
×