Wife’s video challenges Folau ban
ISRAEL Folau’s wife has challenged World Rugby’s banning of the Wallabies star for his attempt at catching a high ball, posting a video of her husband being dangerously contacted from the same Ireland series with no citing made.
Maria Folau posted the video from the first Test in Brisbane, showing Ireland fullback Rob Kearney bumping Folau as both jumped for the ball.
Folau was significantly higher off the ground and it’s doubtful Kearney was in a realistic position to catch the ball when he barged into Folau.
The contact saw Folau – who still caught the ball – go past the horizontal in the air, and land heavily on his elbow and shoulder on the Suncorp Stadium turf.
The incident was penalised but no further off- field action was taken.
Yet Folau was suspended for the Waratahs and Rebels clash, after World Rugby overruled their on- field referees to cite Folau from a ninthminute attempt at catching a kick- off in the third Test in Sydney that resulted in Ireland captain Peter O’Mahony landing heavily.
Mrs Folau posted the damning video yesterday with the comment: “Is this not deemed as dangerous/ foul play?? @ WorldRugby # fairquestion.”
It came after World Rugby explained that their decision to suspend Folau was based on frame- by- frame footage that showed he made a “clawlike” grasp across O’Mahony’s chest that caused him to fall awkwardly on his arms after nearly being flipped backwards.
Folau was cited by commissioner Michael O’Leary of New Zealand after the game.
This was despite referee Pascal Gauzere and his assistants all deeming it to be a fair contest.