‘Social media a trap’, says Kiwi Solomona
now. I’ve learned my lessons and that’s what I think [Folau and Vunipola] are trying to say, that whatever you believe in – Mother Earth, whatever – you can turn to it.’’
One of those ‘‘controversial things’’ arose from a match against Worcester Warriors 13 months ago. Following a tangle between the players at a breakdown, Solomona was accused of calling opponent Jamie Shillcock a ‘‘f ..... g f .... t’’.
Despite Solomona strenuously denying any sort of homophobic slur, a disciplinary panel found him guilty on the balance of probability and handed down a fourweek ban. He maintains his innocence, stressing that he never mounted an official appeal because it could have jeopardised his place on England’s tour to South Africa last June.
‘‘I have a lot of gay relatives,’’ he says. ‘‘Gay people aren’t an issue for me – I accept people for who they are. And anyone can play rugby, no matter who they are. I don’t even know why that is a conversation. Everyone should live their life and be loving.
‘‘It was one man’s word against mine. I know what I said. [Shillcock] knows what he thinks I said. I was found guilty, but I’m not going to be worried about my past because I’m all about my future.’’
Next on the agenda is Sale’s European Challenge Cup semifinal against La Rochelle tomorrow.
An eye-catching end to the season might yet convince England coach Eddie Jones to find a space in his pre-World Cup training squad. Solomona is not holding his breath, though.
‘‘Eddie is Eddie,’’ he laughs. ‘‘He does what he wants. Before I made my debut, I hadn’t heard anything from him. I found out when my mum texted me congratulations.
‘‘You never know what Eddie is planning. I’ll focus on myself and if he picks me, he picks me. That’ll be great and I’ll be grateful for it. If he doesn’t, I’ll still have a job to do for Sale.’’
Folau’s contradictions