Steve Hansen urged rugby to support Israel Folau after the Tonga star was booed every time he touched the ball at Twickenham.
Folau turned out for the World XV as Hansen’s side lost out 48-42 to the Barbarians. The 34-year-old was sacked by Australia in 2018 after a string of homophobic and offensive online messages, but has managed to revive his rugby union career.
The powerful back-three star has been able to switch allegiance to Tonga due to his dual heritage, and having stood down from Test rugby for three years due to World Rugby rules.
The RFU flew the Pride flag at Twickenham in response to Folau’s appearance for the World XV, and the crowd did not hold back with frequent boos for the former Australia star.
Former New Zealand boss Hansen urged rugby to accept Folau back into the sport – but also wore a Pride wristband at Twickenham and delivered a message of inclusivity for the LGBTQ+ community.
“I have spoken to Israel but we didn’t speak about [the booing],” said Hansen. “It was more about the game of footy that we spoke about.”
Asked about wearing the Pride wristband, Hansen continued: “I thought I would support them. The community is a special one and every human being deserves to be loved and cared for and judged on their own merits.”
Folau was disciplined due to the pervasive and aggressive nature of his social media posts that criticised the LGBTQ+ community.
Hansen insisted Folau is entitled to his opinion, but not to disseminate it publicly and in damaging fashion.
“Everyone is allowed an opinion; we don’t necessarily have to agree with each other on our opinions but you are entitled to have one,” said Hansen.
“You can’t be punished for the rest of your life for having an opinion that most of us disagree with. I’ve always been a great believer that you can’t help somebody change by leaving them on the outside.”
Former England boss Eddie Jones was back at Twickenham for the first time since being sacked by the RFU in December. The 63-year-old led the Barbarians to a high-scoring victory, then thanked the famed touring team for handing Australia a World Cup boost.
Jones is back coaching the Wallabies for a second stint, and was able to select Australia stars Quade Cooper and Samu Kerevi at 10 and 12 for the Barbarians. Kerevi picked up a hamstring strain, but Jones insisted an extra week’s training will boost Australia no end.
“Samu just has a tiny little strain in his hamstring which is to be expected coming back from a knee reconstruction,” said Jones. “But I liked what I saw, powerful, incisive. We’ll get him right for the Rugby Championship and into the World Cup.
“Quade and Samu have had the whole week together, it’s been really useful, it’s been like having a mini training camp for the Wallabies there, so we’ll thank the Barbarians for allowing us to do that.”
Alun Wyn Jones captained the Barbarians, in the days following his retirement from rugby. The 37-year-old boasts a record 170 Test caps, and drew high praise from Jones – despite two “disgraceful” failed conversion attempts.
“He’ll be remembered as one of the great competitors,” said Jones. “He’s captained the Lions and Wales, they've competed hard.
“He’s one of those players you hated coaching against, because you knew he was going to be at it, at the referee, and doing everything to get his team in the hunt.
“After coaching him today, I’ve changed my attitude towards him. I love him. Those conversions were disgraceful though!”
