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'The guy is a moron' - Toulon owner rejects Israel Folau rumours as Wallabies star's career remains on tenterhooks

Israel Folau. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Toulon boss Mourad Boudjellal has ruled out the prospect of disgraced Wallabies star Israel Folau joining his side in the Top 14.

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Folau became embroiled in controversy this week after posting homophobic messages on Twitter and Instagram for the second time within 12 months, forcing Rugby Australia to terminate his four-year, multi-million dollar contract.

The 30-year-old had been warned by RA after first publishing anti-gay posts on his social media platforms in April last year, but went against the directive of his employers by stating on Wednesday that “Hell awaits” eight different types of people, of which included “homosexuals”, on Instagram.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BwEWt2uHcLI/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

He accompanied that with a post on Twitter that said “The devil has blinded so many people in this world” in response to Tasmania becoming the first Australian jurisdiction to allow gender to be optional on birth certificates.

With Folau’s rugby-playing career with the Wallabies and Waratahs seemingly in tatters, many have speculated what Folau’s next career move might be, with French glamour club Toulon a common destination among fans.

However, Boudjellal, who isn’t immune to controversy himself, has rejected the notion that he would pursue the signature of Folau in an interview with L’Equipe on Friday.

“The guy is a moron, he must leave. Or you have to buy a brain,” he said.

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Boudjellal joins a growing chorus of prominent figures both within and outside of the rugby fraternity standing against Folau following his outbursts.

England internationals James Haskell and Joe Marler, Japan captain Michael Leitch, Toulon-bound All Blacks star Nehe Milner-Skudder, former Wales and British and Irish Lions legend Gareth Thomas, Australian and New Zealand Prime Ministers Scott Morrison and Jacinda Ardern and Wallabies sponsors Qantas have all spoken out against Folau’s sentiments over the past 48 hours.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BwHCJOogxSY/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

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

The NRL had also been touted as another potential landing spot for the 73-test veteran, which is where he began his 13-year sporting career as a teenager with the Melbourne Storm in 2007.

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However, Australian Rugby League chairman Peter Beattie has since stated that Folau is unwelcome to return to rugby league’s premier domestic competition.

“Israel Folau doesn’t pass our inclusiveness culture, which is a policy strongly supported by the ARLC,” Beattie said.

“And after talking to some commissioners tonight, we don’t support him playing rugby league again.”

Watch – Folau embroiled in controversy again:

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Nickers 21 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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