He was fired because he chose to challenge the rules. The Code of Conduct is clear on this type of action he took.
file:///C:/Users/Jeffrey/Downloads/RugbyAUCodeofConduct.pdf
Section 1.3
Treat everyone equally, fairly and with dignity regardless of gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, cultural or religious background, age or disability. Any form of bullying, harassment or discrimination has no place in Rugby.
And Section 1.6
Do not make any public comment that is critical of the performance of a match official, player, team official, coach or employee/officer/volunteer of any club or a Union; or on any matter that is, or is likely to be, the subject of an investigation or disciplinary process; or otherwise make any public comment that would likely be detrimental to the best interests, image and welfare of the Game, a team, a club, a competition or Union.
He chose to play under these rules and was expected to follow them or he’d be punished. He had to know that, so if he is willing to give up his career for his religion, I applaud him. And in this country there are laws and policies I don’t like and I have a choice, I can live within the rules, challenge them and maybe pay the price, or I can try to get them changed. Everything else is political suicide and like him, I know it.
But this is Australia and they don’t look at things the same way we do. We didn’t agree with England, Spain, France, or Portugal so we made out own nation in the 1700’s. And every little town had different ideas on how life should work. It’s called democracy. And that’s why people accidentally die trying to get here. It’s worth it to try for them.
rwood
In my experience, Aussies are the most rule bound citizens in the world (except for time, which is a concept they struggle with). I think it comes from being a nation of convicts seeking respectability and recognition from the mother country.
Kiwis have a different founding and seem to be far less rule-bound. However, I haven't spent nearly as much time in NZ as Oz.
I seriously doubt a Muslim would have been treated the same.
Some athletes are more equal than other athletes.