Cheika helped lure Folau back to rugby with the Waratahs in 2013, winning the Super Rugby title in 2014 together. Photo: Getty ImagesWallabies head coach Michael Cheika has spoken out on Israel Folau for the first time since Rugby Australia axed the code-hopping star. Folau, who was lured back to rugby by Cheika in 2013 after a stint with the NRL, was sacked last month by Rugby Australia for making several homophobic social media posts. A three-person panel found Folau guilty of a high-level breach of its code of conduct, ruling the 30-year-old out for the Wallabies at the upcoming Rugby World Cup in Japan. Tonga has also expressed a desire to have him qualified in time for the 2023 World Cup.

Source: Otago Daily Times June 15, 2019 01:18 UTC