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Debate ignites online over Folau's next destination

Israel Folau. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Rugby fans around the world have weighed in with their opinion after it appears Rugby Australia have terminated Israel Folau’s contract.

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A statement was released saying: “In the absence of compelling mitigating factors, it is our intention to terminate his contract.” This is after Rugby Australia were unable to contact the Wallaby following his controversial comments made yesterday about the LGBT community.

As expected, Twitter is awash with fans arguing for and against the decision to sack the fullback, and there are many impassioned supporters on either side of the fence. It is not hard to find the arguments that the fans are making following this decision on Twitter, however, one other topic is being raised by fans.

Many are expecting Folau to make a move to Europe following this, with some actually speculating that this may have been his plan all along. The 30-year-old signed a new four-year deal with the Waratahs and Australia in February, and people are saying that this is the only way that he could get out of his contract and make a lucrative move to Europe after he was warned about similar posts on social media last year.

Toulon are being touted as the main contenders to sign the maligned player, but Sale Sharks are also being seen as a possible destination, where he could receive a major increase in wages.

This is what the fans are saying:

https://twitter.com/LoosestThe/status/1116251883985707008

https://twitter.com/Rrreesrugby/status/1116255395625013248

https://twitter.com/JimmyBoots_eir/status/1116252222889824256

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https://twitter.com/joebolton/status/1116263691111026690

Likewise, some are expecting a potential return to the NRL, and few expect him to be denied by all 16 teams. Folau has already had a successful career in rugby league, after two years with both the Melbourne Storm and the Brisbane Broncos, and was part of the premier-winning Storm side in 2007.

https://twitter.com/rickyjoneshere/status/1116253509635182592

https://twitter.com/HelluvaBadapple/status/1116261615920222209

https://twitter.com/RohanCT/status/1116250921938214912

While some are saying that this is a plan by Folau, that does seem hard to believe seeing as the World Cup is only months away. Not only had Folau just become Super Rugby’s highest try scorer in history, but he was one of the struggling Wallabies’ main hopes of success in Japan later this year. It would seem bizarre that he would intentionally walk out of his job at this point in time.

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However, what seems clear to many fans, is the ease in which he will be able to walk into a new job. On the pitch, no one can deny that he is one of the best players on the planet currently, and if a team are willing to accept the criticism that they may receive if they sign him, they will be getting a truly world class player.

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Nickers 19 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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