Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
FIRST TEST, AUSTRALIA IRELAND WALLABIES AT WAR NO MORE
Pocock and Folau park their glaring differences over homosexuality to put on united front for Ireland
DAVID POCOCK and Israel Folau disagree on the issue of LGBT rights but the Wallabies are united in believing their diametrically opposed views will not have an impact on the Australia team.
Folau, a fundamentalist Christian, caused a stir earlier this year when he responded to a question on social media with the assertion that homosexuals were destined for “hell” if they did not “repent”.
Pocock was an outspoken advocate for equal marriage rights for same sex couples ahead of last year’s Australian referendum on the matter and has in the past called out homophobic abuse on the field of play.
Speaking after joining up with the Australia squad for the three-test series against Six Nations champions Ireland which starts in Brisbane at the weekend, Folau said such issues would not come between them. “There’s nothing personal towards each other,” the full-back said.
“I’m looking forward to seeing him. We’re both grown men and talk about things openly. We just had an open chat about our different beliefs.
“We respect each other. It doesn’t change the way we feel about each other.”
Flanker Pocock (inset) was equally clear that while he strongly disagreed with Folau, the issues would not come between them.
“I’ve got family who have those views and we’ve had it out over the years,” Pocock added.
“The bottom line is they’re family. You talk about it in a civil way and when you do that you realise we’ve got far more common ground than we have in difference of belief.
“We all lose something when we aren’t able to engage with people just because we disagree on something.”
The Wallabies face Ireland in the first Test in Brisbane on Saturday.
The Ireland players enjoyed a team bonding day away from the rigours of training and took part in jet skiing (right) on the Gold Coast.