Folau views lack ‘love’ - Jones
Newly elected New Zealand Rugby board member Sir Michael Jones feels for Israel Folau, but said personal beliefs should be expressed with ‘‘love and grace’’.
The 53-year-old All Blacks great was elected as an independent member of New Zealand Rugby’s board yesterday, ahead of former Labour MP Dame Annette King.
When asked about Folau’s comments saying homosexuals were destined for hell, Jones, a Christian, said he would never make comments like those.
‘‘I do know Israel and he’s a good man. He’s got a good heart, and a strong faith. He’s a friend,’’ Jones said. ‘‘At the same time, I recognise that, in terms of my faith, it’s very much a faith built on love and grace.
‘‘There are members of my family from those [gay] communities, and we love them. They’re integral in our lives and a big part of who we are, and I’m sure Israel has that scenario too. We have big families and such diverse families.
‘‘Being able to express yourself is important, but doing it respect- fully, and I suppose with wisdom. There needs to be a lot of love and a lot of grace, particularly as Christians.’’
New Zealand Rugby was awarded a Rainbow Tick certification in 2017, something the organisation is very proud of.
Rugby is said to be an inclusive sport which people of all races and sexualities can play in, and Jones said that was something he felt strongly about.
‘‘I was very much a part of the respect and responsibility panel that New Zealand Rugby had the vision and the commitment to put in place last year.
‘‘It was an excellent space for me to bring my views and my contribution to the work of that panel.
‘‘It was very clear to us that rugby continues to be a game of inclusion, that diversity is recognised and every Kiwi can feel like they can be part of this whanau. For me personally, that’s my feelings, particularly about the place of rugby. Rugby is a place where no-one is left behind. It encompasses all, and that’s very important to me personally.’’
New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew said his organisation was focused on being as open and inclusive as possible, and welcoming the gay community into the sport.
‘‘We’ve been very clear,’’ Tew said. ‘‘We’ve got policies, we’ve been through the Rainbow Tick certification, [and] we had a major media conference to celebrate that moment.’’
On the comments of All Blacks halfbacks Brad Weber and TJ Perenara over the past few days slating Folau’s comments, Tew said they had acted within the values of NZ Rugby.
‘‘I think they’ve expressed their views in a respectful and meaningful way,’’ Tew said.
‘‘I read TJ’s [comments] this morning when I woke up and thought he expressed a view, which is his, in a very clear way, and made some salient points particularly about some vulnerable people in our communities.’’
NZR’s annual meeting was yesterday, with a key vote held on who would become an independent member of the organisation’s board.
Jones said he was humbled to get the nod, having been nominated by the Tasman Rugby Football Union.
‘‘For me, this is just an extension of what I’ve been doing at grass roots level, but to now be sitting at a key strategic and governance level, it’s a huge honour.
‘‘It comes with a lot of responsibilities, and I’m very mindful of the communities I represent. I’ve got to do the very best while I’m at that table.’’
Farah Palmer was re-elected to the board, while Dick Littlejohn was made a life member of New Zealand Rugby during the annual meeting.