Former All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has applauded a decision to raise the pride flag above Twickenham on Sunday, after acknowledging his selection of ex-Wallaby Israel Folau for a world team is controversial.
Folau, a Christian fundamentalist, will face Eddie Jones’ Barbarians four years in a decision that threatens to reignite controversy over his sacking by Rugby Australia.
The sport’s governing body tore up Folau’s $4 million contract three years ago in a dispute over his homophobic posts on social media
The 34-year-old has switched national allegiance and will represent Tonga at the World Cup this autumn. He has returned to rugby union following an aborted spell in league, the code that launched his career – and now plays for Japanese team Shining Arcs.
The RFU has signalled it will respond to the presence of Folau in the World XV team in London with a show of support for the LGBTQ+ community by flying the rainbow flag.
Hansen, who insists Folau deserves to be involved in the invitational fixture on the strength of his ability as a player, welcomes the move.
“I think it’s great. It’s a consequence of Folau’s selection and I think it’s a good thing. It’s an opportunity to show support to that flag. I don’t have a problem with it,” Hansen said.
“There wouldn’t be one there if Israel wasn’t playing. So whenever we can bring attention to people who are suffering, in a positive way, that’s good.
“They deserve to be loved and cared for as much as anybody else. If we all did that it’d be a happy place, wouldn’t it.
Hansen, the mastermind of New Zealand’s 2015 World Cup triumph, added: “Israel Folau is a very good rugby player. He’s world class. And I know by picking him that there will be some people hurt. And I get that.
“However, I want those people to understand that Israel’s belief and views are not ours. And we don’t agree with them.
“But he’s a rugby player first and foremost and he’s been sanctioned. Those sanctions have finished, he’s playing rugby, he’s probably going to go to the World Cup so my job is to pick the best team I can pick and that’s what I’ve done.”
Hansen will attempt to lift some of the gloom surrounding rugby union by ordering his star-studded World XV side to “put on a show”.
The 64-year-old Kiwi has misgivings about the drive to stamp out dangerous play that he believes is counter-productive.
“We see a lot of red cards and while I understand that I just don’t understand why we ruin the game with them,” Hansen said.
“Fans want to see a contest – one of the biggest principles of the game is a fair contest – and we’re giving people red cards for unintentional accidents and calling it foul play.
“If you keep giving red cards out people will think the game’s dirty so it’s imploding upon itself.”
-with AAP
