Personal opinions about all sorts of things have been left on the sideline. In the clubs I've been in, it didn't matter a hoot if someone believed in a flat earth, or karma, or reincarnation etc etc.

I've played with blokes who were right and left wingers - on and off the field, atheists, communists, ratbags, followers of Jesus like me, and plenty who weren't. But we played a game together.What Izzy believes is his right.

Every sports person - player or spectator - should stand by Izzy and the freedom to believe what we like. If not, we are on a slippery slope toward letting the thought police be in control.

Let me hasten to add that I am entirely with those who call out offensive on-field remarks targetting another player. I'm not aware that Izzy has ever been accused of doing that. Clearly, he has had no problem lining up with players with different beliefs than his own.

The issue regarding his contract with Rugby Australia is another matter. We have to wait to see if his claim that "I believe your termination of my employment was unlawful" is supported or not. But his and our right to freely and publicly express our beliefs should not be muzzled.

Rob Boss-Walker, Wauchope

SEND A LETTER TO THE EDITOR: click here