Rugby star Taniela Tupou defends Israel Folau and says all Pacific Island players might as well be ‘sacked’
The Tongan-born hooker said all Pacific Island players hold the same religious beliefs as Folau
By Steve Brown
Words: Steve Brown
A Polynesian rugby player has said all the Pacific Islands players ‘might as well’ be sacked after Rugby Australia suspended Israel Folau.
Folau made headlines again earlier this year after posting an image onto Instagram which stated that all gay people will go to Hell.
Last year, the highest paid Wallabies star posted a series of homophobic comments and remarks on his Instagram account stating being gay was against his religion.
Following his most recent homophobic rant, the devout Christian was suspended by Rugby Australia and demanded a hearing.
Many other rugby players from around the world apologised for ‘liking’ his post – with some claiming it was a mistake – including captain Samu Kerevi who was reportedly ‘forced’ to apologise.
But now, Taniela Tupou has taken to Facebook to say that the rugby organisation should sack all Pacific Islands players as they all hold the same Christian beliefs as Folau.
Writing on Facebook, the Tongan-born hooker said in reponses to Kerevi’s apology: “Seriously… Might as well sack me and all the other Pacific Islands rugby players around the world because we have the same Christian beliefs.
“I will never apologise for my faith and what i believe in, religion had nothing to do with rugby anyways… #TYJ”