Aussie rugby boss meets Pasifika players after race row
Fallout over Israel Folau's treatment over social media comments has raised fears that players with Pacific islands heritage might be targets
Melbourne — Australia director of rugby Scott Johnson has reached out to Pacific islands players amid reports of anger over the treatment of Wallabies fullback Israel Folau. Folau, a fundamentalist Christian with Tongan heritage, was found guilty of a “high-level” breach of Rugby Australia’s (RA) code of conduct last week for posting on social media that hell awaits “drunks, homosexuals, adulterers” and others. He is expected to have his four-year contract terminated for “disrespecting” people on the basis of their sexuality once a three-member panel considers further submissions before issuing a sanction. Players with Pacific island heritage who share Folau’s beliefs have expressed support for the fullback, raising fears the saga might open a rift in the Wallabies camp in a World Cup year. Johnson said he had spoken to a number of them about the Folau case and also reminded that they were paid professionals expected to understand that respect goes “both ways”. “I’ve spoken to a few...
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