Waratahs chairman Roger Davis has called for “common sense” and a settlement to be reached in the Israel Folau saga before day three of a code-of-conduct hearing in which there could be an announcement on the severity of breach the Wallabies star has committed.
After a stalemate on the weekend following 15 hours of deliberations, Folau will front up for a third day on Tuesday in his Rugby Australia hearing for posting a photo on social media that said homosexuals, among other groups such as drunks and atheists, were destined for hell unless they repented.
In the balance: Israel Folau leaves a Rugby Australia code of conduct hearing in Sydney on Sunday. He will front up for a third day today after the weekends stalemate.Credit:AAP
The closed hearing will resume at 10am at the Sydney offices of Herbert Smith Freehills.
RA says the change of location, from its offices in Moore Park, was purely because the building was empty on weekend without normal staff present.
Advertisement
The three-person independent panel will not deliver a final verdict on Tuesday and it is understood that both parties involved are expecting that to come next week.
Nonetheless, there is a suggestion Tuesday could provide clarity as to whether Folau has committed a low, medium or high level breach of the professional players code of conduct.
Given that both parties are expected to appeal whatever decision is handed down, Davis says those involved must be doing everything they can to reach a settlement so negative headlines dont plague rugby in the weeks and months to come.
There have been conflicting reports in recent days as to whether RA has already offered Folau a pay-out in the hope he takes his money and runs.
“This is a no-win situation for the game and fans and Id like to see it resolved as quickly as possible,” Davis told the Herald. “I think a settlement is a common sense approach … it would be smart. If this goes for a long time there are definitely no winners.
“Lets see if we can bring some common sense to the table and work out a solution that keeps everyone but happy but with a three-party deal thats not as easy as it sounds.”
Meanwhile, despite being stood down from playing commitments with the Waratahs and Australian coach Michael Cheika saying he would not pick Folau, the fullback has been secretly training by himself to stay fit.
While there is a slim chance of him playing rugby in Australia again, Folau has been making sure he stays in shape just in case.
His teammates are in South Africa at the moment preparing to face the Lions in Johannesburg and are no doubt keeping a keen interest in what comes out of his code of conduct hearing.
“On the distraction back home … theres a code-of-conduct process thats still ongoing so there isn't much more to say,” said Waratahs back-rower Ned Hanigan. “That processRead More – Source
[contf] [contfnew] 
Australian Breaking News Headlines
[contfnewc] [contfnewc]
