We didn’t back down, Rugby Australia insists
Rugby Australia insisted on Thursday it did not back down by settling its feud with Israel Folau over homophobic comments, while all but ruling out the staunch Christian from playing Super Rugby again.
The two parties avoided a costly court battle by reaching a mediated agreement on Wednesday to end Folau’s lawsuit over his sacking in May for warning “hell awaits” gay people and other “sinners”.
Under the settlement, both sides apologised for “any hurt or harm” caused, with Folau taking to YouTube to claim he had been “vindicated”.
Financial terms of the deal were confidential, but Rugby Australia chief Castle shot down a report that the settlement was worth A$8m (R80m) as “wildly inaccurate”.
She said the governing body “didn’t back down” and that it stood by its decision to terminate his contract.
“We made the right decision in calling out Israel on his posts and his inappropriate messaging,” she said.
Folau had been demanding A$14m (R140m) in compensation, claiming he was unlawfully dismissed under legislation that bans sacking someone because of their religion.
Rugby Australia argued the termination for “high-level” misconduct was purely contractual.
Castle would not reveal how much the settlement amounted to, but said it was “a commercial decision” that was deemed cheaper than going to trial.
She added that the governing body had an insurance policy and would not have to make changes to its budget to pay Folau, who she said would not be playing Super Rugby again, effectively ending his Wallabies career.
“At the end of the day, we have parted ways. He’s been terminated since April,” she said, when asked if he could play for an Australian club in the southern hemisphere tournament under the settlement.
“I think it’s clear to see our values are not aligned and the expectations that Rugby Australia would have of Israel coming back into the sport would not be acceptable,” she said.
Folau played 73 Tests for the Wallabies and was Super Rugby’s record try-scorer for the NSW Waratahs before his fouryear, A$4m (R40m) contract was terminated.
Australia’s National Rugby League has previously said it would not welcome him back to the 13-man code he played at the start of his career, though a move to a rugby union club overseas remains a possibility.
An attempt to join Tonga’s national rugby league team in September faltered amid infighting among officials, and Folau has recently focused on his legal battle and preaching at the Sydney church where he worships.
While now over, the drawnout saga has damaged the Rugby Australia brand, and calls have been mounting in the media for Castle to join chair Cameron Clyne and quit.
But the former CEO of Netball New Zealand, who took on the Australian rugby job in early 2018, insisted she remained the best person to lead the organisation. —