Sky Sports pundits discuss Israel Folau joining Catalans
Sky Sports pundit Jon Wilkin has had his say on Catalans signing controversial character Israel Folau.
The 30-year-old has joined the Dragons on a one-year contract after he was sacked by Rugby Australia for homophobic comments he posted on social media.
Toronto forward Wilkin was a guest pundit on Sky Sports for Thursday night’s match between Warrington and St Helens, which the Wolves won 19-0.
Wilkin said: “The question remains, should Catalans be able to bring this guy in and does it damage our brand?
“Quite brutally, the business decision has been made that the value that he brings as a player almost outweighs the negative attention that he has brought.
“This is such an emotive thing and he has passionately stood up for what he believes in and that’s his faith but we have a responsibility to sometimes not express your views in a workplace.
“For a sport that is inclusive and of all the developments we are making, it does fly in the face of that.
“You could almost understand the decision from Catalans if his contract was for three, four or five years and it was like a big investment in this guy to try to make him understand a more tolerant view and a liberal attitude to his faith but it is a one-year contract and if you are looking at it as a brand, you’ve got to ask ‘is this worth more to the game than it isn’t?”
Watch our Last Tackle podcast, featuring a guest, every week. SUBSCRIBE to Love Rugby League on YouTube: https://bit.ly/2GCG8P8
More on site
Watch: Comedian Adam Hills outruns the Wire Flyer
Danny Brough could return within two months
Toronto’s squad is not too small, insists Jon Wilkin
Chris Chester barred from commenting on Israel Folau by Super League