Tokyo: Israel Folau has revealed he was close to walking away from rugby during the height of the storm over his anti-gay comments, but ultimately "enjoyed" the torrid period that crystallised his identity.
Speaking freely after a Wallabies fan event in the crowded Harajuku district of downtown Tokyo, Folau opened up about why he decided to make his longest commitment to Australian rugby, barely six months after bringing upon himself the wrath of fans, sponsors and rugby bosses with an Instagram comment that gay people were destined for hell.
Star attraction: Folau poses for the cameras at a Wallabies fan event in the Harajuku district of downtown Tokyo.Credit:Rugby Australia
"Its a bit of a roller-coaster year, for me, more so off the field with whats been happening but, to be quite honest, it might sound a bit crazy, but I kind of really enjoyed what was happening off the field," he said.
"Not that it happened on purpose, but my identity is based around my faith in God. And I truly believe that from deep down inside, what was happening off the field, even though it was challenging and it was hard, it was actually moulding me into the person [I am] … and taught me a lot of things that I needed to learn, and Im still learning now.
"Obviously a lot of people will say negative things about what was happening, but it taught me to actually love and forgive them for obviously not agreeing and thats something that Ive learnt to take on."
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The fallout from his comment, which was arguably in breach of the Rugby Australia code of conduct and clearly in breach of the organisation's inclusion policy, caused tension between Folau and Rugby Australia. Wallabies' sponsors piled on pressure for RA to take a hard line, while Folau felt misunderstood and disrespected.
Now, with the dust settled and his future in the game assured until the end of 2022, the 69-Test outside back said he made a decision to surrender his fate – and the contract negotiation process – to God.
I understand everyone else's view. They are obviously different to mine and I respect that. It doesn't change how I look at that person.
Israel Folau
"I base everything around my faith and belief in God – I tend to go wherever he wants me to go," he said.
"At some stage I didn't think I was going to be in the game, but those thoughts always chop and change and in the end you have that peace and comfort inside that brought me to a stage where I feel comfortable in wanting to move forward."
That means new challenges on the field, as Wallabies coach Michael Cheika prepares to name Folau at outside centre for the team's clash with the All Blacks in Yokohama. It will be the first time the 29-year-old has worn the No.13 jersey at Test level and will pit him against a formidable likely midfield combination of Sonny Bill Williams and Jack Goodhue.
Folau was relaxed about the prospect of a change and confirmed what was clear as day to observers in April: While a storm raged around him, the NSW fullback found a way to take his game to the next level.
"Going onto the footy field probably a lot of people would probably say that it [the controversy] would effect my rugby, but Ive never felt so much peace going onto the field because I know that [his belief] is something that is truly myself and Ill never back away from that or step away from that regardless of who it is," he said. "Thats something that Ill carry for the rest of my life."
A formal announcement on the long-term deal, which follows Michael Hooper (five years) and Allan Alaalatoa (also five), is expected in coming weeks.
Folau said he respected the fact many people, including his teammates, did not share his beliefs.
"I totally understand everyone else's view," he said. "They are obviously different to mine and I respect that. It doesn't change how I look at that person.
"What I don't want to do is compromise what I believe in and being true to my faith in God. I'm always going to follow that, even though probably a lot of people won't agree with that. That's fine, I'll still respect them and love everyone else for who they are."
At peace: Folau said he was ready to move on after a tense period off the fieldCredit:Stuart Walmsley/RUGBY.com.au
He also revealed his faith had deepened to the extent that he now wished he had not got his many tattoos.
"If I have my time again, I probably wouldnt have got any tattoos and that comes back to, again, my faith," he said. "Thats something I came across afterwards. But, like I said, I cant change the past."
Georgina Robinson is a Sports Reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald
