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Steve Hansen, the World XV head coach, has picked Israel Folau for a game against the Barbarians XV.
Former All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has backed the flying of a rainbow pride flag at Twickenham after selecting controversial Australian Israel Folau for his World XV team.
Hansen, who coached the All Blacks to the 2015 World Cup title, caused a stir by picking Folau, a Christian fundamentalist who now plays in Japan after the Australian Rugby Union ripped up his $A4 million contract in 2019 for social media posts saying “hell awaits” homosexuals.
Hansen told a press conference in London that Folau had been picked on his “world-class” rugby merits for the game against a Barbarians XV coached by Eddie Jones, but the Kiwi coach made it clear he didn’t agree with the former Wallabies’ views.
Hansen also said it was “great’’ that a pride flag would be flying at Twickenham on Sunday (Monday NZ time).
It’s a consequence of Folau’s selection and I think it’s a good thing. It’s an opportunity to show support to that flag. I don’t have a problem with it,” Hansen said.
“There wouldn’t be one there if Israel wasn’t playing so whenever we can bring attention to people who are suffering in a positive way, that’s good.
“They deserve to be loved and cared for as much as anybody else. If we all did that it’d be a happy place, wouldn’t it.
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Israel Folau pictured playing for Tonga in a 2022 test against Fiji in Suva.
Hansen admitted he knew Folau’s selection would be controversial.
“Israel Folau is a very good rugby player. He’s world-class. And I know by picking him that there will be some people hurt. And I get that.
“However, I want those people to understand that Israel’s belief and views are not ours. And we don’t agree with them.
“But he’s a rugby player first and foremost and he’s been sanctioned. Those sanctions have finished, he’s playing rugby, he’s probably going to go to the World Cup so my job is to pick the best team I can pick and that’s what I’ve done.”
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Folau, who played 73 tests for Australia, is expected to play for Tonga at the World Cup.
He is joined in Hansen’s World XV backline by Tongan teammate and ex-All Black wing Charles Piutau, Fiji centre Semi Radradra and ex-All Blacks midfielder Ngani Laumape.
David Rogers/Getty Images
Steve Hansen, the World XV head coach looks on with his daughter Whitney Hansen, assistant coach to the Black Ferns, during a World XV training session in England.
Jones’ Barbarians lineup will include former All Blaks Aaron Cruden, Steven Luatua and Seta Tamanivalu and New Zealand-born Wales pivot Gareth Anscombe.
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