MAC: LET ISRAEL DO HIS TALKING ON THE FIELD
ISRAEL FOLAU is set to make his Super League debut today and there will be plenty of attention on him following his homophobic social media posts.
For me, Israel’s views are out of date and just plain wrong, and I don’t think they come down to religion.
The fact that he’s never, to my knowledge, apologised for his opinions and has stood by them is the worst thing.
He wouldn’t have got a contract in sport anywhere else so it’s disappointing that a club in Super League has chosen to take him on.
As a player I believe you have a moral obligation to be a role model within society.
As sports people we have to live up to that so why shouldn’t the club also have to abide by those standards? Catalans appear to have gone with a winat-all-costs mentality and it remains to be seen how that works out for them.
Having lost their opening game at home to Huddersfield they’re already under some pressure ahead of today’s match with Castleford, who are two wins from two games.
I remember as player that if you don’t get a win in those first few rounds it quickly becomes a goldfish bowl where you’re looking at must-win matches early in the season.
Cas have had a great start themselves and under Daryl Powell will always be a wellcoached, consistent team.
What would be great for them as a club is if Daryl
vSuper League, 5pm CATALANS coach Steve McNamara says Israel Folau should do his talking on the field – as the controversial star admitted he almost quit rugby following his social media storm.
The dual code international, 30, was sacked by Rugby Australia last year after Instagram posts included homophobic sentiments. He was handed was able to bring a couple of marquee players in because then you might see them being genuine challengers.
One club whose recruitment has been the best in the country for me is Hull FC, and they face St Helens in the match of the round tomorrow.
Hull coach Lee Radford has the best eye for talent in the competition – look at outstanding winger Ratu Naulago (above), who was playing in the Army and has come from nowhere.
Both teams will be desperate to win – Hull to beat the best a one-year deal by the Dragons last month despite significant opposition from Super League clubs, who have since voted to block similar contracts in future.
But former England boss McNamara (left) says it’s time for Folau’s rugby to become the main focus of attention ahead of his Super League debut against Castleford tonight.
McNamara said: “You only see the headline, you team from last year and show that they are serious contenders for silverware, and Saints because they need a big performance ahead of the World Club Challenge after being nilled at Warrington. It should be a great clash between two motivated teams. Also tomorrow Warrington travel to Wakefield – and I always feel that fixture is a test of any team’s title credentials.
If you can go to Wakefield on a Sunday afternoon and get a victory then you have every chance of being a top two or three team. Trinity will know they need to win their home matches to steer clear of another relegation scrap so I’m expecting a close contest. don’t know the person. Once you see this person as a man, you understand him more and realise it’s not a life sentence what he did.
“We don’t agree with it, absolutely. But let’s get him on the field and we can talk about some other things.”
Folau has admitted that he considered walking away from professional sport in the wake of last year’s furore. He said: “Yes, of course I thought about ending my career.
“It’s like a new start for me and I am very excited to return to the sport in which I became known.”
Cas coach Daryl Powell said: “We’ve watched a lot of footage of him and we’re aware of that right foot step, which is really dominant.
“We’re not specifically putting him under pressure, but we have looked at him.”