Asked at Waratahs training before their clash with the Queensland Reds this weekend how Folau was faring, Hooper gave an update.
“Ive spoken to Izzy in a training capacity pretty briefly,” Hooper said. “Hes been getting his hammy right, which is coming along really well. Other than that, the boys have checked in to see if hes OK and hes positive. His hammy is getting better and hes looking to get back on the field soon.”
In light of Waratahs teammate Curtis Rona voicing his support for Folau, former Wallaby Wycliff Palu is now the latest player to back up his Christian mate on Instagram.
Quoting a passage from the bible, Palu posted an Instagram story with a photo of Folau accompanied by the words: “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first” before adding “WE STAND WITH #ISRAELFOLAU”.
It is a clear message Folau is not alone and has the backing of a number of people in the rugby community despite pressure on Rugby Australia to impose sanctions on the 29-year-old.
Rugby Australias code of conduct states: “Treat everyone equally, fairly and with dignity regardless of gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, cultural or religious background, age or disability. Any form of bullying, harassment or discrimination has no place in rugby".
The Folau sideshow wont distract the Waratahs, who are aiming to make it eight straight wins against the Reds when they clash at the SCG on Saturday.
The last time NSW played at the SCG was in 1983. The Reds are coming off a 45-21 loss to the Brumbies last weekend.
“The rivalry is real, its good fun,” Hooper said. “I think only Paddy Ryan was born then, we were just having a joke about it in the team room. Its going to be a good occasion.
“Every time we play these guys its a hard match. Were in a really good place as a team and were really keen to take on these guys. Weve seen from their first round this year that theyve got a heap of potential and last week's score wasnt reflective of what they can do in the competition.”
With a number of Wallabies teammates going head-to-head, Hooper said the intensity of the NSW-Queensland derby might even have increased in recent years.
“It might even heighten the rivalry because you know each other so well, so you want to have bragging rights come the back-end of the year,” Hooper said. “You want to get one over them. Its why we play the game, why were all here.”
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Tom Decent is a journalist with Fairfax Media.
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