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Paul Green farewelled

<p dir="ltr">NRL legend Paul Green has been farewelled in an emotional service in Queensland following his devastating death. </p> <p dir="ltr">The legendary coach and former player was just 49 when he was found dead at his home in Brisbane on August 11. </p> <p dir="ltr">More than 700 people attended the service at Kougari Oval, the Wynnum-Manly Seagulls’ home ground, including rugby league greats Allan Langer, Andrew Gee, Shane Webcke, Ben Ikin and Jason Taumalolo.</p> <p dir="ltr">John Lang, Steve Renouf, Wendell Sailor, Lote Tuqiri, Todd Payten, Neil Henry, Brad Thorn, Kevin Walters, Brad Fittler, Trent Robinson and Bryan Fletcher were also in attendance. </p> <p dir="ltr">Paul Green’s wife Amanda delivered a heartfelt speech speaking of when the pair met and their love for one another. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Paul and I met at the Mad Cow in Townsville, an establishment of many relationships,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The day Paul proposed he said to me you better strapped yourself because it’s going to be one hell of a ride, and that it was.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We had the deepest love and he made me feel deeply loved … we’ve always been a team.</p> <p dir="ltr">“As heartbroken as I am today, I’ve loved every moment with Paul. I loved you yesterday, I love you today and I will love you tomorrow.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Paul Green’s wife Amanda has delivered the most moving tribute to her late husband as family and friends remember the legendary player and coach.</p> <p>Pictures from the service: <a href="https://t.co/bBOWY77XFj">https://t.co/bBOWY77XFj</a> <a href="https://t.co/dTDjE93KJ5">pic.twitter.com/dTDjE93KJ5</a></p> <p>— Courier Mail Sport (@cmail_sport) <a href="https://twitter.com/cmail_sport/status/1564426956770201601?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Their daughter Emerson then got up and delivered a heart-warming speech saying she will cherish their memories forever.</p> <p dir="ltr">“He always knew what to say and when to say it. He would always tell you it doesn’t matter what people think of you,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“He knew how to bust a move and liked to think he had an amazing voice. If there was music on, I could always count on Dad dragging me onto a dancefloor.</p> <p dir="ltr">“He taught me to be the best version of myself. I will cherish our memories forever and will continue to do you proud. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I was always your little angel, but now you are mine.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Jed also said a few words, thanking his dad for being the “best dad ever”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Thanks for being the best dad ever. You were so silly sometimes and that you made the best dad,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I am going to miss you so much.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Paul’s family announced a few weeks after his death that they <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/body/paul-green-s-brain-donated-to-science" target="_blank" rel="noopener">donated his brain to science</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Australian Sports Brain Bank said Paul’s brain will help aid research into concussion-related condition chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) - a common injury amongst NRL players due to the nature of the game. </p> <p dir="ltr">"In memory of our beloved Paul, we ask that you support the pioneering work of the Australian Sports Brain Bank,” their post read.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Paul was known for always looking out for others. We are proud that part of his legacy will be looking out for the brain health of all others involved in the game that he loved.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Amanda, Emerson and Jed."</p> <p dir="ltr">Paul had an incredible NRL career, playing 162 first grade matches between 1994-2004 and winning the prestigious Rothmans Medal in 1995 as the game's best and fairest.</p> <p dir="ltr">He played for several different clubs including Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, North Queensland Cowboys, Sydney Roosters, Parramatta Eels and the Brisbane Broncos.</p> <p dir="ltr">Green eventually swapped his playing boots to coaching ones as he took on the North Queensland Cowboys from 2014-2020.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>If you are experiencing a personal crisis or thinking about suicide, you can call Lifeline 131 114 or beyondblue 1300 224 636 or visit lifeline.org.au or beyondblue.org.au.</strong></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Twitter</em></p>

Caring

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Paul Green’s brain donated to science

<p dir="ltr">Paul Green’s brain has been donated to the Australian Sports Brain Bank to help with science. </p> <p dir="ltr">The legendary coach and former player Paul Green was just 49 when he <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/news/news/rugby-league-icon-dead-at-49" target="_blank" rel="noopener">was found dead</a> at his home in Brisbane on August 11. </p> <p dir="ltr">It is confirmed that the father-of-two died from suicide. </p> <p dir="ltr">His family has now confirmed that his brain will be donated to the <a href="https://www.mycause.com.au/page/290298/in-memory-of-paul-green" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Australian Sports Brain Bank</a> to help aid research into concussion-related condition chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) - a common injury amongst NRL players due to the nature of the game. </p> <p dir="ltr">"In memory of our beloved Paul, we ask that you support the pioneering work of the Australian Sports Brain Bank,” their post read.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Paul was known for always looking out for others. We are proud that part of his legacy will be looking out for the brain health of all others involved in the game that he loved.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Amanda, Emerson and Jed."</p> <p dir="ltr">They are hoping to raise $150,000 to help with the research. </p> <p dir="ltr">Michael Buckland, the director of the Australian Sports Brain Bank, thanked Green’s family for their donation.</p> <p dir="ltr">"This is an incredibly generous donation and will be an invaluable part of our research into the long-term effects of repetitive head impacts in sport and elsewhere," he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">"We at the Australian Sports Brain Bank are blown away by the fact that in their time of grief, Amanda and the rest of the family thought of how they could help others."</p> <p dir="ltr">Green had an incredible NRL career, playing 162 first grade matches between 1994-2004 and winning the prestigious Rothmans Medal in 1995 as the game's best and fairest.</p> <p dir="ltr">He played for several different clubs including Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, North Queensland Cowboys, Sydney Roosters, Parramatta Eels and the Brisbane Broncos.</p> <p dir="ltr">Green eventually swapped his playing boots to coaching ones as he took on the North Queensland Cowboys from 2014-2020.</p> <p dir="ltr">If you would like to donate to the research, click <a href="https://www.mycause.com.au/page/290298/in-memory-of-paul-green" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>If you are experiencing a personal crisis or thinking about suicide, you can call Lifeline 131 114 or beyondblue 1300 224 636 or visit <a href="https://www.lifeline.org.au/">lifeline.org.au</a> or <a href="https://www.beyondblue.org.au/">beyondblue.org.au</a>.</strong></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Australian Sports Brain Bank</em></p>

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Rugby League icon dead at 49

<p dir="ltr">The NRL world is in mourning following the death of legendary coach and former player Paul Green at the age of 49. </p> <p dir="ltr">The premiership-winning coach had reportedly not complained about any illness and was found dead at his home in Brisbane on Thursday. </p> <p dir="ltr">A post-mortem will be carried out to determine his cause of death.  </p> <p dir="ltr">Former Melbourne Storm and Maroons hooker Cameron Smith, who was coached by Green in the earlier days said he was “heartbroken” upon hearing the news.</p> <p dir="ltr">“A very sad part of the day,” he said. </p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s certainly rocked myself…and everyone in the rugby league world.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s a sad day for everyone involved in the rugby league family and community. We send our best wishes and condolences out to the entire Green family.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I was fortunate enough, he was my kicking and catching coach when I was coming through at the Broncos and he was also my coach when I was at Wynnum.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I had a small amount to do with him but in the time I did, it was actually really interesting the year I was at Wynnum I ended up signing with another club to leave but we had a really tough start to the season. Greeny managed to turn the Wynnum Seagulls around and we won the premiership that year.</p> <p dir="ltr">“He’s a fighter. It’s a very sad day to see Greeny go like that.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Green had an incredible NRL career, playing 162 first grade matches between 1994-2004 and winning the prestigious Rothmans Medal in 1995 as the game's best and fairest.</p> <p dir="ltr">He played for several different clubs including Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, North Queensland Cowboys, Sydney Roosters, Parramatta Eels and the Brisbane Broncos.</p> <p dir="ltr">Green eventually swapped his playing boots to coaching ones as he took on the North Queensland Cowboys from 2014-2020.</p> <p dir="ltr">He helped the Cowboys finally win their first ever premiership in 2015. </p> <p dir="ltr">Green last coached Queensland’s State of Origin side in 2021 and was due for a comeback into coaching in 2023 with the new NRL team, Dolphins. </p> <p dir="ltr">Green is survived by wife Amanda and children Emerson and Jed.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

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Benji Marshall's stunning revelations

<p dir="ltr">Benji Marshall did not leave one dry eye in the house – nor for anyone looking on at home – in the latest episode of <em>Celebrity Apprentice</em> as he opened up about his troubled past.</p> <p dir="ltr">When the former NRL player was required to pitch a TV series idea as part of the <em>Celebrity Apprentice</em> challenge, Benji became very emotional when putting forward his idea for a documentary about his life.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’ve never, ever talked about this publicly,” Benji told the on-screen TV executives.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’ve never talked about this because it means so much to me.</p> <p dir="ltr">“No one knows the real me… because I don’t even know the real me, there’s half of me I haven’t found out about.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I don’t know my dad, I don’t know my culture, I don’t know my nationality.”</p> <p dir="ltr">He teared up saying that he wanted someone to help save him after suffering through a traumatic childhood.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CfBoLdepBNb/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CfBoLdepBNb/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Benji Marshall (@benji6marshall)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“Growing up in a small town of NZ, my mum was very young, she had me at 15,” he continued.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I have this vivid memory of a seven-year-old boy, holding a butter knife, scared, sitting back in a dark corner, so no one could come from behind me to get me.</p> <p dir="ltr">“All I wanted was for someone to save me, someone to tuck me in, someone to save me, all I wanted was a dad.”</p> <p dir="ltr">He recalled the teasing he endured during school when kids would say “you don’t know your dad” which left him in tears.</p> <p dir="ltr">Wanting to find out who his father was, Benji got the courage to finally ask his mum but it was the look on her face that made him never ask again.</p> <p dir="ltr">“When I asked my mum who my dad was... I’ll never forget the look on her face, the look of fear, worry… it actually made me scared," he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I never ever asked her again. I still don’t know until this day.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Benji then completed his pitch with a traditional haka dance and walked off, as he waited to hear whether or not he won the competition.</p> <p dir="ltr">In the boardroom, the judges debated and agreed on the winner.</p> <p dir="ltr">Benji won the $20,000 prize for his charity Souths Care, which supports disadvantaged, marginalised and Indigenous youth and families.</p> <p dir="ltr">He then bent over and cried when he realised he was heading off to the grand final, being congratulated by Lord Sugar’s adviser Janine Allis.</p> <p dir="ltr">The New Zealander also took to Instagram to thank fans for their support throughout his time on the show.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I can’t believe it. I’m Through to the GF on @celebrityapprentice I am super proud to be able to stand on the stage and share my story and pitch to everyone,” he wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I shared things I have never spoken about before and I am proud to share my emotions and true feelings publicly.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Vulnerability is a strength. The feedback has been overwhelming. I appreciate everyone.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

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Russell Crowe "put through a wall" on crazy night out

<p><span>NRL great Bryan Fletcher has opened up about his encounter with Russell Crowe that left the two scrapping on a boozy night out.</span><br /><br /><span>Featuring on Brett Finch’s '<em>Uncensored</em>' podcast, Fletcher revealed the wild night he had with his South Sydney teammates and Crowe in the mid-2000s.</span><br /><br /><span>Fletcher was the Rabbitohs captain in 2003 when he joined the club from the Roosters, however the team had suffered a nightmare season after winning only three games.</span><br /><br /><span>The 47-year-old said he'd never met Crowe before his move to South Sydney, but had heard a rumour that the Hollywood star had promised to take the 2002 team to the Playboy Mansion if they made the finals.</span><br /><br /><span>Fletcher says he was left with his mind in a scramble after Crowe contacted him near the middle of the 2003 season.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7841241/rabbitohs-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/03710573c68e4e7699511d8951dec960" /><br /><br /><span>Fletcher however believed it was not actually Crowe on the other end of the line, and instead one of his teammates was pranking him.</span><br /><br /><span>“I said, ‘How’s Meg? Is she good in the cot?’” Fletcher told Finch, referring to Meg Ryan who Crowe was dating during that time.</span><br /><br /><span>“I said something more crude than that.</span><br /><br /><span>“Then there was awkward silence and he goes, ‘Fletch, it’s Russell. Russell Crowe’.</span><br /><br /><span>"And when he dropped his voice I knew straight away it was him and I’ve just gone, ‘F***, how do I get out of this?’”</span><br /><br /><span>It turns out Crowe had wanted the South Sydney players to bring a pair of nice clothes after their training in order to take them out.</span><br /><br /><span>“My imagination just starts going so by the time I get to Sutto (John Sutton) who’s the 17th bloke, I said, ‘Sutto, you’re not going to believe this bro, we are going to the Playboy Mansion’,” Fletcher said.</span><br /><br /><span>“Everyone is frothing, thinking they’re going to the Playboy Mansion.”</span><br /><br /><span>Sadly enough, the Rabbitohs didn’t go to LA, but instead arrived at a hotel in Woolloomooloo where cricket greats Shane Warne and Merv Hughes were waiting to kick them into gear with some inspirational words.</span><br /><br /><span>However the night took a turn around 9 pm when Crowe brought out some bottles of Absinthe.</span><br /><br /><span>“We went through 10 bottles. Ten bottles later and we’re going mad. It’s on. Blokes are cheering and carrying on,” Fletcher said.</span><br /><br /><span>He went on to say Crowe had challenged him to some footy.</span><br /><br /><span>“It was an odd time but I’m thinking, ‘You’ve got to humour Russ, he’s put this drink on for us’,” Fletcher said.</span><br /><br /><span>“So Russell comes running at me and I tackle him how I always have my whole career and I miss him. He runs behind me and dives down behind an imaginary set of posts.</span><br /><br /><span>“I said, ‘Good on you Russ’ and kept walking. I take two steps and I get pushed in the back. It’s Russ. He just stops in front of me and he goes, ‘You f***ing dog. You’re a f***ing cat. You’re a waste of money, you’re South Sydney’s worst ever captain’.</span><br /><br /><span>"He was right but he didn’t have to say it to my face.</span><br /><br /><span>“The boys have jerried to what’s going on … I got the s**ts and said, ‘Let’s just do this again’.</span><br /><br /><span>“He basically gets up and runs at me and I get under his ribs and drive him … and put him through a wall and the boys are just going, ‘What the f*** are you doing? Why are you doing this?’</span><br /><br /><span>“Russ pops up, just shakes his head and goes, ‘That’s what I want to see!’ That was his motivation, so we end up having a terrific night, getting on the p***.”</span><br /><br /><span>Crowe's motivational tactics seemed to do the job as the Rabbitohs would go on to thrash Melbourne Storm that weekend.</span><br /><br /><span>However their victory was short-lived.</span><br /><br /><span>“We beat them 42-10 and we did not win another game all year,” Fletcher admitted.</span></p> <p><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

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"You can't teach stupid": Folau receives more funds in two days than farmers' rural aid in one year

<div> <div class="replay"> <div class="reply_body body linkify"> <div class="reply_body"> <div class="body_text "> <p>A Facebook post by <em>The NRL Roast </em>criticising those who donated to Israel Folau’s legal battle has gone viral in just 24 hours.</p> <p>The post highlighted donations given to the Rural Aid <em>Buy a Bale </em>campaign raised in one year matched the money raised for controversial Folau’s legal battle against the Rugby League Association.</p> <p>“In 2 days, Israel Folau has received more in donations than Rural Aid's "Buy a Bale" campaign did in the 2017/2018 financial year,” the post began.</p> <p>“Folau may or may not be in the right in regard to why he got sacked and has every right to launch legal action.</p> <p>“That’s not my gripe.</p> <p>“It's the fact that every day Aussies would rather donate their hard earned, already taxed money, to a multi-millionaire professional athlete who can use the funds however he wants...TAX FREE, while people who actually make a worthwhile contribution to society, and our communities, are left in the lurch.</p> <p>“But you can’t teach stupid… You are just born that way.”</p> <iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FTheNRLRoast%2Fphotos%2Fa.248365635620899%2F729888714135253%2F%3Ftype%3D3&amp;width=500" width="500" height="435" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe> <p>Folau has raised $2.2 million in just two days by 20,000 people.</p> <p>Since then, the fundraiser, which is located on the Australian Christian Lobby’s website, has been paused – a little less than $1 million short of the sacked rugby star’s $3 million goal.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BzATb_Wn3I_/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BzATb_Wn3I_/" target="_blank">A post shared by Israel Folau (@izzyfolau)</a> on Jun 22, 2019 at 1:07am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The ACL said the donations, which opened on Tuesday, had been “overwhelming".</p> <p>“ACL, Izzy and everyone involved is humbled and grateful. We are hitting the pause button. But if the case drags on and Israel needs more support, we will re-open this campaign,” a statement on the website said.</p> <p>The original campaign on GoFundMe was shut down after it was determined they had violated the site’s terms of service.  </p> <p>“We are absolutely committed to the fight for equality for LGBTIQ+ people and fostering an environment of inclusivity,” Nicola Britton, GoFundMe’s Australian regional director said.</p> <p>Managing director of the ACL, Martin Iles, confirmed any money raised in the $3 million campaign will exclusively be used to meet Folau’s legal costs.</p> <p>In a poll conducted by Over60 with over 5,200 votes, it was determined 60 per cent of Australians believe Folau deserved to be sacked from his contract with Rugby Australia.</p> <p>However, 40 per cent voted Folau's controversial social post that claimed “hell awaits” gay people, among others, was not breaching his contract.  </p> <p><em>NRL Roast’s </em>post, which now sits with over 3,000 comments, has continued to stir debate with some users claiming the page was only adding “fuel to the fire".</p> <p>“If he can say whatever he believes then he should have the guts to face the consequences of his actions and use his own funds to fight his own battles,” one user wrote.</p> <p>Another added: “I don't see why people find this surprising. There are A LOT of people in the world with the same views as Falou.”</p> <p>“So you're complaining about people who are donating their OWN already taxed hard working money to Folau because they choose not to donate it to where YOU think they should donate THEIR money to?” an additional comment read.</p> <p>However, other people said it was “sad” farmers did not have “priority<span>“.</span></p> <p><span>"If only those who so support a sportsperson's contract breach which has been turned into a fight for Christianity could support those who grow our food and keep food on our tables...” one comment said.</span></p> <p>Another stated: “An absolute disgrace that people give money so easily to someone who broke his contract, not once but twice, but can’t find the money for the farmers who help put food on our tables every day, nothing like getting your priorities right.”</p> <p>Folau’s $4 million contract was terminated by Rugby Australia last month after a post on his Instagram page claimed homosexuals, among others, would burn in hell.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>

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