Former Wallabies coach Alan Jones has blasted Rugby Australia’s stance against Israel Folau.
Folau was found guilty of a high-level breach of RA’s code of conduct after the conclusion of his landmark three-day hearing on Tuesday.
The three-person panel has not yet decided an appropriate sanction on the fullback.
But Jones has already indicated he will help fight any form of punishment handed to Folau.
‘There’s nothing wrong with Israel, it’s the society and those who prosecute him who are sick. Those claiming outrage have fabricated their position solely for the purpose of censorship. It prompts you to wonder what kind of society we’re living in,’ Jones said.
‘We will take this fight every inch of the way. This will go as far as the High Court if it has to go there. The battle has just begun,’ Jones added.
‘I coached Australian rugby, I was proud of it, I was proud of the boys and I was proud of everything we stood for. Today, I’m ashamed of the very people who’ve inherited our proud legacy.
‘If we’re not free to articulate our religious beliefs and quote from the Bible, and if we’re not free to speak for fear that someone affects… hurt or is part of the offence industry, if that’s where we’ve reached in this country, we’ve reached a dark place and we are all at risk,’ he argued.
Jones also relayed a message he’d received from the Wallabies star.
‘I’ve just had a note from Israel, he won’t mind if I’m sharing it with you because I said to him, “Hold your head up”,’ Jones explained.
‘He said, “Alan, I’m at peace, mate. My head is held high”.’
Photo: Getty Images
