Wahesh
The Forefather of The Kennel
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https://www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-...port-behind-israel-folau-20180412-p4z97w.html
'We stand with Israel': Curtis Rona throws support behind Israel Folau
Waratahs and Wallabies winger Curtis Rona has thrown his support behind Israel Folau on a day where the dual international posted another defiant, cryptic message on his Instagram account more than a week after he came under attack for a controversial remark about gay people.
Rona posted an Instagram story on Thursday morning to profess his support for Folau, quoting a passage from the Bible and saying "We stand with #IsraelFolau".
The biblical passage was taken from the Gospel of John in the New Testament: "Jesus answered, 'I am the way the truth and the life no one comes to the father except through me'".
The three-Test Wallaby, who joined the Waratahs this season, is also a devout Christian and looks up to the team's decorated fullback. They share a history in rugby league, with Rona playing for the Cowboys and Bulldogs before returning to rugby with the Western Force last year.
Folau has kept to himself since a meeting with his Rugby Australia and Waratahs bosses on Tuesday where he and his manager, Isaac Moses, met with Raelene Castle and Andrew Hore to talk about his use of social media.
Nothing definitive came from the meeting, in the form of sanctions of dates for future meetings, but Folau's Instagram story picture on Thursday evening could be a sign that he is remaining defiant in the face of intense criticism for saying that god's plan for gay people was "HELL".
Written over the top of a pencil, his message read: "Stand with God no matter what. Don't be afraid to stand up for the truth, even if it means that you will be standing alone".
The words are an indication that Folau won't be silenced or told to filter what he says on social media.
The Folau story is an unwanted distraction for the Waratahs ahead of one of their biggest home games of the season when they face the the Queensland Reds on Saturday.
The blockbuster meeting at the Sydney Cricket Ground serves as a chance for NSW to chalk up four straight wins – something they have not been able to do for almost two years.
While there has been a greater sense of excitement at Waratahs headquarters this week than normal, no player will be more eager to get on the field than halfback Nick Phipps, even if he is coming off the bench.
Phipps, one of the most energetic and exuberant characters at the club, says cleaning out the cobwebs last weekend for Sydney University was the perfect way to get over a “frustrating” calf injury ahead of the local derby.
The Wallabies representative scored three tries in Sydney University’s 36-12 victory over Parramatta and his coach Rob Taylor was suitably impressed.
“Nick showed why he is an international halfback with his comeback performance,” Taylor said. “You wouldn’t have guessed he hasn’t played a game since the Wallaby [European] tour.”
Phipps hasn’t played a match for the Waratahs this season and since his Super Rugby debut in 2011 has been mostly injury-free.
'We stand with Israel': Curtis Rona throws support behind Israel Folau
Waratahs and Wallabies winger Curtis Rona has thrown his support behind Israel Folau on a day where the dual international posted another defiant, cryptic message on his Instagram account more than a week after he came under attack for a controversial remark about gay people.
Rona posted an Instagram story on Thursday morning to profess his support for Folau, quoting a passage from the Bible and saying "We stand with #IsraelFolau".
The biblical passage was taken from the Gospel of John in the New Testament: "Jesus answered, 'I am the way the truth and the life no one comes to the father except through me'".
The three-Test Wallaby, who joined the Waratahs this season, is also a devout Christian and looks up to the team's decorated fullback. They share a history in rugby league, with Rona playing for the Cowboys and Bulldogs before returning to rugby with the Western Force last year.
Folau has kept to himself since a meeting with his Rugby Australia and Waratahs bosses on Tuesday where he and his manager, Isaac Moses, met with Raelene Castle and Andrew Hore to talk about his use of social media.
Nothing definitive came from the meeting, in the form of sanctions of dates for future meetings, but Folau's Instagram story picture on Thursday evening could be a sign that he is remaining defiant in the face of intense criticism for saying that god's plan for gay people was "HELL".
Written over the top of a pencil, his message read: "Stand with God no matter what. Don't be afraid to stand up for the truth, even if it means that you will be standing alone".
The words are an indication that Folau won't be silenced or told to filter what he says on social media.
The Folau story is an unwanted distraction for the Waratahs ahead of one of their biggest home games of the season when they face the the Queensland Reds on Saturday.
The blockbuster meeting at the Sydney Cricket Ground serves as a chance for NSW to chalk up four straight wins – something they have not been able to do for almost two years.
While there has been a greater sense of excitement at Waratahs headquarters this week than normal, no player will be more eager to get on the field than halfback Nick Phipps, even if he is coming off the bench.
Phipps, one of the most energetic and exuberant characters at the club, says cleaning out the cobwebs last weekend for Sydney University was the perfect way to get over a “frustrating” calf injury ahead of the local derby.
The Wallabies representative scored three tries in Sydney University’s 36-12 victory over Parramatta and his coach Rob Taylor was suitably impressed.
“Nick showed why he is an international halfback with his comeback performance,” Taylor said. “You wouldn’t have guessed he hasn’t played a game since the Wallaby [European] tour.”
Phipps hasn’t played a match for the Waratahs this season and since his Super Rugby debut in 2011 has been mostly injury-free.
