Israel Folau’s comments are completely wrong, says Will Genia

“When you sign up to your contract to do that, you adhere to those rules, you adhere to what’s been set out,” says Will Genia about Israel Folau. Photo: David Gray/Reuters

“When you sign up to your contract to do that, you adhere to those rules, you adhere to what’s been set out,” says Will Genia about Israel Folau. Photo: David Gray/Reuters

Published Apr 18, 2019

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SYDNEY – Israel Folau’s controversial views that have created a furore in Australian rugby have an element of “selfishness” and are “completely wrong”, according to Wallabies scrumhalf Will Genia.

The 30-year-old Folau, a devout Christian, created controversy for the second time in 12 months for Rugby Australia (RA) by using social media to express personal views that said gay people were destined for “hell” if they did not “repent”.

Both RA and the New South Wales Waratahs said they intended to terminate his contract for the social media posts, which were similar to ones he posted last year, and Folau has asked for a code-of-conduct hearing to be scheduled.

The posts also drew criticism from national coach Michael Cheika, while Folau has also been stood down from all rugby activity by the Waratahs, who host Genia’s Australian-conference leading Melbourne Rebels in Sydney on Saturday.

“You can have your beliefs and have faith in what you want to have faith in, but you can’t go around trying to tell people they should be going to hell because they are a certain way,” Genia told the Fox Rugby podcast in Australia.

“For me, that’s completely wrong.”

Genia, who described Folau as “humble” and “very quiet”, added his beliefs had never been a problem within the national team environment in the past, but could cause issues now.

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Those that are living in Sin will end up in Hell unless you repent. Jesus Christ loves you and is giving you time to turn away from your sin and come to him. _______________ Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these , adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19‭-‬21 KJV _______________ Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts 2:38 KJV _______________ And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Acts 17:30 KJV _______________

A post shared by Israel Folau(@izzyfolau) on Apr 10, 2019 at 1:18am PDT

“He’s got to realise that there are other people within that group, both at the Waratahs and Wallabies, that have certain beliefs as well, that very much conflict with what he’s come out and said and done,” Genia added.

Folau had last year assured both Cheika and RA chief executive Raelene Castle that he would not make his views public again, which Genia said had now likely led to a total breach of trust.

“If you’ve gone and said those things to Cheik and Raelene, there’s a breach of trust, and I guess there’s an element of selfishness about it as well,” Genia added.

“You can have your beliefs, but at the end of the day, you’re also contracted to Rugby Australia and the NSW Waratahs, who as your employers stand for certain things in society, who want to promote the game a certain way.

The devil has blinded so many people in this world, REPENT and turn away from your evil ways. Turn to Jesus Christ who will set you free. pic.twitter.com/BWSWTMye98

— Israel Folau (@IzzyFolau) April 10, 2019

“Obviously being inclusive of gender, sexual preference, religion, background, whatever it might be.

“So, when you sign up to your contract to do that, you adhere to those rules, you adhere to what’s been set out.”

Folau’s place in the Waratahs for Saturday’s clash at the Sydney Cricket Ground has been taken by Wallabies teammate Kurtley Beale.

The Rebels lead the Australian conference on 23 points, seven ahead of the Waratahs, who have a game in hand.

Reuters

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