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Beale worried about Folau's 'head space'

Wallabies star Israel Folau

Kurtley Beale is concerned about Israel Folau’s “head space” as the row over his anti-LGBT comments on social media heads towards a resolution.

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Folau was issued a breach notice by Rugby Australia (RA) last week in the aftermath of a controversial anti-homosexual post.

The Wallabies utility back, who was also stood down by Super Rugby side Waratahs, is contesting the notice, and a code of conduct hearing to determine whether RA’s intent to terminate Folau’s contract can be upheld will take place on May 4.

Australia and Waratahs team-mate Beale expressed concern but says the disciplinary proceedings must be allowed to run their course.

“There’s obviously a bit of process going on now,” he said ahead of the Tahs’ Super Rugby clash against the Sharks on Saturday.

“Obviously it goes through the code of conduct [hearing].

“I guess as a mate you just worry about his head space and you hope that he’s okay there. Our full focus shifts now to the game on the weekend for us as a team.

“As a squad, we did that last week and it’s important that we continue that and keep building on the progress that we had last week.

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“So it is what it is and we’ve just got to let the process kind of take over now.”

Folau was warned over his conduct by RA last year after stating homosexuals would go to “hell” unless they “repent their sins and turn to God”.

The 30-year-old again put forward his interpretation of his devout Christianity this month after the Tasmanian Parliament passed legislation to make gender optional on birth certificates and allow people aged 16 and older to legally change gender without parental consent.

On Instagram, Folau posted an image stating: “Warning: Drunks, Homosexuals, Adulterers, Liars, Fornicators, Thieves, Atheists, Idolaters – Hell awaits you. Repent. Only Jesus Saves.”

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Nickers 22 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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