Folau a ‘strong role model’ despite saying gay people go to hell, says rugby boss
Rugby Australia chief executive Raelene Castle has described besieged Wallabies star Israel Folau as a "strong role model" despite his social media post saying that gay people were going to hell.
Full-back Folau, a devout Christian, said homosexuals would go to "HELL" unless they "repent their sins" in a comment on Instagram on April 4.
He met rugby hierarchy today in Sydney to discuss social media policy, after he had been widely criticised for his comments.
Folau, 29, is one of the biggest names in Australian rugby.
"We are in a negotiation with Israel to extend [his contract] and we would really like him to stay in rugby, that's hugely important to us, he is a great player, he has delivered some great outcomes for us and has been a really strong role model in the Pacific Islander community and we would like to see he stays in rugby," Castle said.
When asked if Folau understood the pain his comments could cause, Ms Castle replied: "Yes, and I think Israel has acknowledged that maybe he could have put a positive spin on that same message and done it in a more respectful way."
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