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'A real stab in the heart' - Japan captain Leitch sends Folau passionate video message

New Zealand-born Michael Leitch has made huge contributions to Japanese rugby since 2008. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

Japan captain Michael Leitch has sent a message to Israel Folau on Twitter calling for the Australian to apologise for comments he made yesterday.

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Folau recently posted content on Instagram based on his religious beliefs that have created an enormous backlash from all over the world. Subsequently, Rugby Australia are set to terminate the Waratah’s contract, after he made similar comments last year.

In light of this, Leitch, who plies his trade with the Sunwolves in Super Rugby, has said “we can’t accept this kind of behaviour”. The 30-year-old called out Folau to apologise and comment on what he has said, as what he is doing is “wrong”.

https://twitter.com/g_leitch/status/1116225859596144640

Leitch said that 73-cap Australia international is a “fantastic player” and he is “sure that you’re [Folau] a nice guy”, but he is part of a growing number of players and former players that are criticising Folau.

In another video post which appears to have been subsequently deleted from his timeline Leitch said:

“Israel Folau I am calling you out. I thought your first comment regarding gays going to hell was outrageous, but this latest post is…this is out the gate and it’s so wrong on so many levels. I respect your religion and what you believe in, but using social media to almost preach your views. It connects to so many people and everyone is not the same.

“There are so many people out there who are homosexual, atheist, people that drink for different reasons. There are people out there that are struggling with mental health. So to go out and say that if you are homosexual or one of those types of people you’re going to hell – that’s a real stab in the heart.”

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Former All Black Adam Thomson has also criticised the former NRL and AFL player on Instagram, saying he “doesn’t belong in the game of Rugby Union”.

This comes only days after Folau became the highest try scorer in Super Rugby history, eclipsing Doug Howlett’s record. With the World Cup on the horizon, the 30-year-old was also the Wallabies’ main hope of success in Japan, but that very much seems in doubt now, although Rugby Australia may allow for “compelling mitigating factors”.

Folau is yet to make a further comment, and Rugby Australia have not had any contact with him either, as his future remains unclear.

Watch: Folau views again court controversy

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Nickers 18 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

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