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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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J
JW 1 hour ago
'Passionate reunion of France and New Zealand shows Fabien Galthie is wrong to rest his stars'

Where? I remember saying "unders"? The LNR was formed by the FFR, if I said that in a way that meant the 'pro' side of the game didn't have an equal representation/say as the 'amateur' side (FFR remit) that was not my intent.


But also, as it is the governing body, it also has more responsibility. As long as WR looks at FFR as the running body for rugby in France, that 'power' will remain. If the LNR refuses to govern their clubs use of players to enable a request by FFR (from WR) to ensure it's players are able to compete in International rugby takes place they will simply remove their participation. If the players complain to the France's body, either of their health and safety concerns (through playing too many 'minutes' etc) or that they are not allowed to be part in matches of national interest, my understanding is action can be taken against the LNR like it could be any other body/business. I see where you're coming from now re EPCR and the shake up they gave it, yes, that wasn't meant to be a separate statement to say that FFR can threaten them with EPCR expulsion by itself, simply that it would be a strong repercussion for those teams to be removed (no one would want them after the above).


You keep bringing up these other things I cannot understand why. Again, do you think if the LNR were not acting responsibly they would be able to get away with whatever they want (the attitude of these posters saying "they pay the players")? You may deem what theyre doing currently as being irresponsible but most do not. Countries like New Zealand have not even complained about it because they've never had it different, never got things like windfall TV contracts from France, so they can't complain because theyre not missing out on anything. Sure, if the French kept doing things like withholding million dollar game payments, or causing millions of dollars of devaluation in rights, they these things I'm outlining would be taking place. That's not the case currently however, no one here really cares what the French do. It's upto them to sort themselves out if they're not happy. Now, that said, if they did make it obvious to World Rugby that they were never going to send the French side away (like they possibly did stating their intent to exclude 20 targeted players) in July, well then they would simply be given XV fixtures against tier 2 sides during that window and the FFR would need to do things like the 50/50 revenue split to get big teams visiting in Nov.

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