Shorten helps GB to capture silver
BELFAST woman Rebecca Shorten helped the Great Britain women’s eight rowing squad claim a silver medal at the first World Cup regatta of the season. Shorten and her GB team-mates finished four seconds behind the Netherlands but were ahead of two Chinese crews in yesterday’s final in Belgrade.
It was a busy regatta for the 24-year-old from Northern Ireland who also competed in the women’s four with Great Britain taking fourth in that race, also won by the Dutch.
Shorten and co missed out on bronze by just 0.24 of a second and will now look forward to the second World Cup regatta of the season in Linz, Austria between June 22 and 24.
In the past Northern Ireland rowers were well represented at the World Cup, but Shorten was the only competitor from the country this time around with Coleraine’s Peter Chambers out of action at present, Joel Cassells retired and Enniskillen’s Holly Nixon recovering from injury.
Now a key figure in the women’s eight for GB, Shorten racing in the women’s four is interesting as that event will be in the Olympics for the first time in Tokyo 2020. THEY are the two biggest stars of this Australia team, players feared the world over who will be the twin-pillars Michael Cheika builds his World Cup challenge upon.
And yet Israel Folau and David Pocock are so diametrically opposed on the issue of homosexuality and gay rights that one wonders how they can share the same jersey and represent the same thing.
The beauty of team sport is that it brings players together from all backgrounds, colour, creed and sexuality and gives them a level playing field, but Folau’s firmly held belief that gay people go to hell if they don’t repent is one that threatens the squad dynamic as he prepares for his first international since his comments on Instagram caused a global controversy.
For many, including All Black scrum-half TJ Perenara, the superstar full-back’s views are abhorrent and his argument that they are just part of his religious belief system doesn’t stand up to scrutiny.
However, he has escaped any censure from the Australian Rugby Union, while he has refused to apologise or tone down his rhetoric.
Pocock, Australia’s No 8, is a leading campaigner on a number of fronts who has committed to holding off on marrying his long-term girlfriend until same-sex marriage is made legal in Australia.
Before his “hell” comments, Folau had already gone public with his opposition to gay marriage and he has faced a flurry of criticism.
Last month the Wallabies held a squad get-together to prepare for this series and Cheika revealed the two leading members of his squad talked about their differences.
Folau explained that the duo did not need their coach’s encouragement.
“Look, we just had an open chat about our different beliefs,” he said.
“We respect each other, it doesn’t change the way we feel about each other. Everyone is entitled to their opinions and what they believe in.
“It won’t change anything when we step out on to the field, I’ll be there to cover him and so will he (for me). We’re 100% behind each other and that’s what we’re all about.
“We’re both grown men and we talk about things openly, it’s nothing personal. I respect Poey for bringing it up.”
He remains the best player in Australia and has been in glittering form despite ongoing speculation over his future in union against the backdrop of the controversy.
On Saturday night he scored a sensational try to become the New South Wales Waratahs’ leading try scorer of all time and is earning rave reviews for his performances, despite having his hard-line views hauled over the coals internationally.
Back in April, the evangelical Christian espoused the view that gay people will go to hell and he has stood by his remarks amidst wave after wave of criticism.
He attempted to stave off the backlash with a lengthy essay on ‘The Player’s Voice’ website in which he said he respected others’ position, but stood by his beliefs.
“Those conversations come up and I’m more than happy to talk about it,” he said.
“It’s something that I live by, it drives me each day. It helps me personally when I go out on to the footy field to play the game, so I’m more than happy to openly talk about it.
“I expected that (the backlash), it doesn’t surprise me at all. It doesn’t change anything for me.”
Earlier, at a press conference, Folau admitted: “I don’t really know much about Ireland.”
In his defence, he and the rest of the squad played Super Rugby at the weekend and will begin their more detailed preparation as the week goes on, but the Grand Slam champions and number two ranked team in the world might feel they deserve a little more respect.
He has faced Ireland a number of times and played against the Johnny Sexton-inspired Lions in 2013.
“I definitely know they’re a team that can grind out a win in 80 minutes, you’re not going to win the game in the first 20 or 30 minutes — that’s all I know,” he said when asked about his prior experiences.
“They’ve got guys like Sexton and that, some pretty smart play-makers who are a real threat in attack and a great kicking game, so it’s something we’ve got to be aware of. Their set-piece is pretty good too.”
Ireland, of course, know all about Folau and his strong recent form will be taken fully into account as they prepare for the first Test at Suncorp Stadium.
He may be a deeply divisive figure, but he’s a hell of a rugby player and that’s why the Wallabies have gone to such lengths to bite their tongues and accommodate him — for better or for worse.