Folau hits out at Rugby Australia over leaks

Cape Town - Israel Folau has slammed Rugby Australia after details of his Code of Conduct hearing were leaked to the media.

Ironically, that letter has also been leaked to the media with The Daily Telegraph publishing it in full.

The former Wallabies and Waratahs star, who launched legal proceedings against Rugby AU earlier this week after being sacked for a homophobic tweet, sent his letter via e-mail to each of the governing body’s 10 directors, including CEO Raelene Castle and chairman Cameron Clyne.

Folau started his letter by slamming Rugby AU for terminating his employment due to his religious beliefs – which he expressed in several social media posts over the past 18 months – before calling out RA for the way they treated him.

“This is blatantly unfair. As you know, the tribunal hearing must be closed and private, and Rugby Australia was obliged to keep all information confidential,” he wrote.

“I would like to know why Rugby Australia has not managed to maintain the integrity of its processes and ensure that information was kept private and confidential.”

The 30-year-old then addressed other comments which were leaked by RA which he said is untrue and accused them of lying.

“For example, I am not ‘sick of rugby’ and whoever told the media that I am is telling lies,” he wrote.

“Another example is the way the media has been told that your expectations were made clear to me by Ms Castle. We all know that is far from the truth.

“It makes me sad that these things have apparently been told to the media by someone at Rugby Australia. If you are not the source, why has no-one come out to set the record straight?”

“I decided not to appeal the panel’s findings because I wasn’t confident you would treat me fairly if I did. This week’s media shows my instincts were right.”

Folau then he was “saddened” that the game discriminated against him because of his religious beliefs.

“I know this may be difficult for some to understand, but I am nothing if I am unable to share the word of the Bible with my fellow man,” he added.