Rugby Australia look set to tear up Israel Folau's contract after he posted anti-gay comments on social media, The Highlanders take on the Crusaders while the Blues look to make it five in a row against the Chiefs
Israel Folau's contract with Rugby Australia is set to be torn apart following anti-gay posts and the news lead to widespread speculation a move to the NRL was on the cards.
Rugby Australia's statement on their intentions to "terminate the contract" of the biggest player in the game was metwith a chorus of support.
Folau's posts however didn't go down nearly as well with most quick to condemn the opinions, none bigger than New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
But as the fallout from the contract termination news grew, so did speculation Folau could shift and join the NRL following his removal from the Wallabies.
ARL Commission chairman Peter Beattie however was quick to scrap the notion and slammed the door shut on any potential move.
"Israel Folau doesn't pass our inclusive test," Beattie said according to the Daily Telegraph.
Israel Folau of the Wallabies is sent to the sin bin during the Third International Test match between the Australian Wallabies and Ireland. Photo / Getty Images.
North Queensland were one of the teams rumoured to make a potential push for the services of Folau after losing Ben Barba.
Asked before Rugby Australia announced on Thursday its intention to sack Folau, Cowboys coach Paul Green was coy on whether Folau could be the answer if he became available.
The Cowboys have a big gap to fill after losing Barba (banned) and missing out on Valentine Holmes as his NFL prospects brightened with a chance to impress the New York Jets.
"He (Folau) hasn't played a lot of fullback in our game. I think that position in particular has changed a fair bit over the years," Green told reporters.
"Certainly the good ones have got many strings to the bow. So whether or not Izzy can do that, I don't know … but he's certainly a good player."
The NRL distanced itself from the controversy on Thursday, with chief executive Todd Greenberg declining to comment while Folau remained a contracted rugby player.
But Folau's latest posts indicate he doesn't intend to be silenced and while Greenberg said last year he could be welcomed back to the sport, he also indicated such posts would be unacceptable.
"I'd be having the one-on-one conversation to talk through how that is being portrayed right now," Greenberg told the Sydney Morning Herald last April. "All our athletes have to be careful.
"There are young boys and girls who will read that and find it hard to deal with because Israel has a large profile. That would not have been his intent, but it is very damaging to some people."
