The saga involving Australian rugby star Israel Folau and his controversial social media posts was a complicated issue with reasonable arguments on both sides. I'm not sure whether this is an unpopular rugby opinion but Rugby Australia's decision to terminate Folau's contract and ban him from playing does not make sense. Rugby Australia argued Folau violated conduct policies by making anti-gay remarks that hurt the sport's public image. But Folau was merely expressing his own religious views - views still held by many regular Australians. His posts did not directly harass or threaten anyone. Banning Folau for his personal beliefs set a poor precedent for freedom of speech and belief. Beyond ethical concerns, Rugby Australia acted against its own interests. Folau was their star player and a major draw for fans and sponsors. His social media following brought good publicity overall. Losing Folau significantly hurt the Wallabies team and Rugby Australia's finances. While some felt Folau's views justified his ban, Rugby Australia should have pursued more constructive dialogue. Their reaction was likely an over-correction from past mistakes handling player conduct. But banning Folau pleased no one in the end. It’s a shame to see such a talented player end his career in such a way.