Israel Folau should not be continuously punished for his past actions - Steve Hansen

Steve Hansen suggests that Israel Folau should not be continuously punished for his past actions, following the former Wallabies player being booed at Twickenham during the Barbarians' victory over the World XV.

Despite being terminated by Rugby Australia in 2019 due to making anti-gay remarks on social media, Folau managed to score a try for the World XV, yet faced jeering from the audience every time he interacted with the ball.

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) displayed a Pride flag at Twickenham, and LGBTQ+ demonstrators were present among the crowd of 32,597 spectators.

Hansen, who wore a pride wristband, expressed his disagreement with Folau's beliefs but advocated for granting him an opportunity to change.

"We don't necessarily have to agree with each other on our opinions but you are entitled to have one.

"You can't be punished for the rest of your life for having an opinion that most of us disagree with.

"I've always believed that you can't help somebody change by leaving them on the outside."

Hansen also added that Folau's selection was purely on the basis of his ability as seen in the game where he scored a try in the 23rd minute which wasn't enough as Barbarians edged away with a 48-42 victory.

"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."