SUPER LEAGUE is investigating a claim from a Castleford Tigers fan that they were asked to remove a rainbow flag during Israel Folau’s debut for Catalans Dragons.
Folau scored an early try on his first rugby league outing since 2010, helping the Dragons defeat Castleford 36-18 in Perpignan on Saturday.
It was Folau’s first appearance since he was sacked by Rugby Australia (RA) last May for posting homophobic comments on social media.
A Tigers supporter at the venue revealed on Twitter they had been told they were not allowed a rainbow flag, which represents a symbol of LGBT pride.
A widely reported Super League statement read: “Everyone should have the right to respectfully express their views. We are investigating.
“We will receive a full report by the end of this weekend and have more details on Monday.”
A Dragons spokesperson added: “Rainbow flags are not banned at our club. It is not forbidden. We are gathering more information about what happened.”
Catalans’ signing of Folau sparked plenty of controversy and Super League clubs voted to have “greater authority to stop controversial signings” earlier this month.
Folau reached a financial settlement with RA in December before switching codes to pen a one-year deal with the Dragons.
Catalans head coach Steve McNamara praised the player for handling the scrutiny surrounding him on debut.
“Well I’ve just congratulated him on that [media scrutiny] downstairs because it is different,” he said.
It is different for this area, this region to have journalists from around the world chasing players around in cars and following people.
“All the other bits that go with it, for the players to deal with that and come up with a performance like that is a credit to them.
“For him to play his first game of rugby league and only train for 10 days with the team in total, to come up with that sort of defensive performance really gives us encouragement going forward with him.
“I knew he was ready to play. I said I wouldn’t risk him if he wasn’t. There was no way we were going to do that just because it was a home game.”
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Mega :)
Blessed with such strength and depth now, hope we make the most of it. Heres to a healthy and successful 2015!
Have you been watching the provinces recently? Scrums in reverse all over the gaff.
Two world class players that I wish were kiwi. Hopefully they’ll bring back what Leinster have been missing.. Grunt and efficiency up front combined with some destructive ball carrying.
Great news coming into world cup year but the best thing is, they won’t just walk back into the team, they will have to fight for their place because the other lads have done so well in their absence. Happy days.
If fit both are automatic choices.
Nobody has come anywhere near performing even close to healys level. Scrum has been going backwards for ages.
The boys are back in town :-)
Hope Sean takes his time and comes back without injury concern. God have mercy on any team facing both him and Healy back on form! Exciting times ahead.
We still have time to sharpen up and blow Wasps and Castres away in January. Positive vibes chaps! Is MOC giving in on his stubborn ideology a little or is that just me? The last 3 games seem to be at least TRYING to sort out the problem areas? Is it just my wishful thinking?
Cian until we play with half backs that can move the ball we will not get any better.
No back tries created since away to traviso.
Reddan (Mc Grath 21), Madigan 10, Reid 12, Fitzy 13 please please please
Leinster have been getting very little forward ball for the their half backs to be fair.
Brilliant news, possible inclusion for the last two crucial pool games of the Champions Cup would be excellent and have them battle hardened for the 6 Nations :)
As Leinster was the only Irish team to win last weekend and showed a marked improvement in cohesiveness, when these two players become available it can only strengthen the squad. Running the ball requires winning the ball first and that is why the old saying ” forwards win matches the backs by how much”. Next Friday will show just how much Leinster’s forwards have improved as I am quite sure the breakdown will be contested with the usual Munster vigour that earned them a comprehensive win last time out.
Brian the breakdown was handed to Munster because someone though it was a good idea to put only one or two players into the ruck v Munster.
Hopefully Leo will have enough balls about him to speak up this time and tell Matt that unless your forwards meet Munster head on with at least if not more numbers at the ruck your going to get your ArSe handed to you