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Israel Folau's wife sparks Twitter storm as she hits out at World Rugby over ban

Israel Folau gets a yellow card during third Test with Ireland

Israel Folau’s wife Maria Folau has hit out at World Rugby after an appeal hearing upheld his one-match ban following his controversial yellow card incident in the third Test against Ireland at Allianz Stadium in Sydney last weekend.

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Folau was shown a yellow card before being given a citing commissioner’s warning following two separate incidents involving Ireland captain O’Mahony in Sydney, where the Six Nations champions won 20-16 to clinch the series 2-1.

“Is this not deemed as dangerous/foul play?? @WorldRugby #fairquestion” Maria Folau said on Twitter, pointing to Rob Kearney’s challenge on the Wallaby full-back during the series which didn’t receive any sanction.

https://twitter.com/MariaFolau/status/1012557409493979137

There were mixed views to Mrs Folau’s tweet, with one user Darren Doheny saying “The level of bias from the aussies here is embarrassing.”

https://twitter.com/doho121/status/1012584337718554624

Another user Tim Gillespie supported Maria Folau’s stance, saying “@brettgosper great point about inconsistencies. Surely Kearney should have a week off? And also while we are at it, Cian Healy hit Genia off the ball and broke his arm yet he wasn’t even cited. Yes it was an innocuous bump, but I believe outcomes are considered by @World Rugby”

https://twitter.com/TheWorldByDiz/status/1012572751255592960

Gillespie did go on to admit that Healy should not have been suspended, but criticised inconsistencies. Another Twitter user Roghan McKerlie hit out the “@World Rugby Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde impersonation”.

https://twitter.com/RoghanMcKerlie/status/1012598704585334785

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Continue reading below…
In other news: Joe Powell signs new deal with Brumbies and Wallabies

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Many were angered at the decision that saw Folau face a World Rugby disciplinary hearing.

The Waratahs Simon Cron did not believe Folau should face further punishment ahead of the Australian Conference leaders’ showdown with the second-placed Rebels this weekend.

“I’d be stunned if he’s not available,” he said. “Personally, I think it’s an interesting decision to even send him there [to a disciplinary].

“They’ve made that call, so he’ll go and defend himself. You probably saw it, personally I think if you’re in the air and you’re three foot off the ground, four feet off the ground, he’s quite high off the ground.

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“I would think they would look at their one-man lifting technique. I know we do a lot of it but I’d be surprised. It’d be a bit of a nanny state if they pull him.”

Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson previously stated that the rules may need to be changed if Folau was slapped with a suspension.

“I hope it doesn’t because that’s the element of rugby that’s important, that there is a kick and there is a fair contest for the ball,” he said.

“I don’t think in AFL they’ve got any particular rules governing that contest and so that’s why for me it’s really interesting, in terms of that law and what happens and the implications of what happens if he does get a sanction.”

He added: “I believe if he does get some time, there’s some real implications around the law-making process going forward.

“It really makes us look at the kick contest area and exactly how we can provide a law that provides for what is happening in terms of the collisions and guys landing on their heads.”

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O
Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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