'Utter bollocks': FitzSimons hits back over Israel Folau defence

Former Wallaby and prominent journalist Peter FitzSimons has taken aim at Alan Jones over the radio host’s defence of Israel Folau.

Jones – an ex-Wallabies coach – has been one of the controversial rugby star’s loudest and staunchest supporters throughout the ugly dispute with Rugby Australia (RA).

Folau’s future in Australian rugby is looking increasingly grim after an independent panel determined that the Wallabies superstar committed a “high level” breach of his contract.

The three-person panel of chair John West QC, Rugby Australia representative Kate Eastman SC and the RUPA-appointed John Boultbee have now retired to decide on Folau’s sanction following an epic code of conduct hearing in Sydney.

‘UTTER BULLS***’: The major ‘flaw’ in the Israel Folau debate

Jones described the Folau ruling as the most shameful day in the history of Australian rugby.

RA boss Raelene Castle issued Folau with a breach notice last month following his controversial social media posts about homosexuals and other sinners and threatened to tear up his four-year, $4 million contract.

The 30-year-old devout Christian took to Instagram to proclaim “hell awaits” for “drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists, idolators”.

Folau has received plenty of support for his controversial social media posts, with One Nation MP Mark Latham presenting a speech to NSW parliament defending Folau and questioning what right RA has to censor the star.

Jones used his 2GB breakfast program on radio to show Folau his support – quoting extracts from the speech on Wednesday morning

“Those claiming outrage have fabricated their position solely for the purpose of censorship,” the speech read, according to Jones.

“This is not an argument about diversity.

“By excluding a committed Christian, they are making their game less inclusive.

“I believe no Australians should live in fear of the words they utter.

“No Australian should be fearful of proclaiming four of the most glorious words of our civilisation: I am a Christian.

“Nor should anyone be sacked by their employer for statements of genuine belief and faith that have got nothing to do with their job.

FitzSimons used his column in The Sydney Morning Herald to fire back at suggestions Folau should be entitled to speak his mind without being punished for his controversial religious beliefs.

“This is Western civilisation evolving, and saying that while publicly marginalising a group used to be acceptable, and even a part of the law of the land, it is no longer acceptable,” FitzSimons wrote.

“How many of you, reading this, are free in your own workplaces to put up social media posts like Folau and still be employed? Across our brown and pleasant land, millions of employees get it, comport themselves accordingly, and we’re a stronger and more inclusive country because of it.”

FitzSimons went on to argue that the suggestion Folau was being unfairly made an example of because he is a Christian is “utter bollocks”.

“Within rugby ranks, Wallaby flanker David Pocock, who led the charge against homophobia in the code, is a devout Christian,” FitzSimons pointed out.

“Willie Ofahengaue, the first Tongan to play for the Wallabies, is a devout Christian, and both of our Wallaby World Cup-winning captains in Nick Farr-Jones and John Eales answer the same description.”

‘He’s got strange ideas in his head’

Another former Wallaby has weighed in on the controversy.

Clyde Rathbone, who represented both the Wallabies and ACT Brumbies, took aim at Folau and his most staunch defender, radio personality Alan Jones in a piece for PlayersVoice.

The former wing said he was a “free speech absolutist”, but said there was a difference between limiting Folau’s religious freedom and violating the terms of his Rugby Australia contract.

“For me, Israel is free to say whatever he chooses, but he is not free to force Rugby Australia to continue employing him if he has breached his contract by promoting views which undermine the organisation’s values,” Rathbone write.

“Radio presenter Alan Jones, in particular, seems to be doing his best to position Israel as a victim, calling the Rugby Australia ruling ‘Orwellian’.

“This is nonsense. I’d like to ask Alan if he believes his employer, commercial radio station, 2GB, is obligated to continue employing him regardless of his speech?

“Alan Jones could quote from the Bible to lend his support to slavery, torture and murder. Can he continue to do so and keep his job? I think he cannot.

“And yet this is analogous to the Folau situation in every way.”

With agencies