IZZY’S STILL A STAR

Folau locked into new four-year deal with Rugby Australia

WARATAHS boss Andrew Hore is adamant the club can restore Israel Folau as a key marketing figure over the next four years, despite his controversial views on homosexuality, because children care more about his ability.

Folau has agreed to a four-year extension with the Tahs and Rugby Australia in a deal to be formally announced imminently.

The length of the deal has raised eyebrows considering Folau has barely been used for promotional and media duties this year after creating controversy with his religious views that gays are destined for hell.

Folau will continue to be one of the highest paid players in Australian rugby.

Prior to the homophobic outburst, Folau had been one of most heavily marketed players for NSW and Australia but his personal views have forced the Waratahs and Wallabies to shield him from many public duties in 2018.

But Hore believes Folau can again become a key marketing weapon for rugby until his deal expires in 2022, even if some fans believe he does not represent the game’s values.

“There’s no doubt that kids look probably past his personal views on things and just look at his ability,” Hore said.

“The kids just love the athlete that he is. “That’s a key point for us.” Folau won the Matt Burke Cup as NSW’s player of the season this year, and has still garnered much support while playing for the Wallabies.

Hore said Folau is not alone in his views among the Australian rugby community.

“I think there are a lot of players in the squad who, if you dug deep into some of those things, not everyone is going to agree,” Hore said. “In any changing room anywhere in the world, the beauty of sport is that it brings people together that do have different views.

“The key thing is we are respectful in the way we express those views.”