Israel Folau

Folau, a devout Christian, had his contract terminated by RA and the Waratahs for a "high-level breach" after he posted "hell awaits drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists and idolaters" on Instagram.

RA and Folau failed to reach a settlement in June over the full-back's sacking and an unfair dismissal case began in court on Tuesday.

Solicitor George Haros, representing Folau, said his client is "extremely strong" and is keen for an apology as he addressed the media outside court.

On the same day that the former Wallaby's Instagram and Twitter pagesdisappeared for up to four hours, Folau's former employer filed an application in the Federal Circuit Court to have the high profile case moved.

The organisation was not immediately available for comment, but the development could be interpreted as a legal strategy to slow proceedings.

As the "little sister" to the Federal Court, the Federal Circuit Court has a track record of moving cases through quicker than its federally-based siblings and at a lower cost.

Mr Folau worked as a tutor and boarding house supervisor at St Gregory's College at Campbelltown. He was also an alumnus of the school, who finished eighth in the state in religious studies in the 2016 Higher School Certificate.

A staff member confirmed the decision on Thursday. The school's decision came after the Sydney Morning Herald revealed Josiah's involvement in the 30-member Jesus Christ Church founded by his uncle, Israel Folau's father, Pastor Eni.

The church preaches that any Christian who is not "born again" will go to hell.

The decision comes after the former Wallaby and RA failed to reach an agreement at a mediation hearing at the Fair Work Commission on June 28.

"Unfortunately, our conciliation before the Fair Work Commission did not resolve the matters between us and I have been left with no choice but to commence court action," Folau said in a statement on Thursday.

The Daily Telegraph has reported that the sacked former Wallaby was spotted in Liverpool and will likely be in attendance when the Silver Ferns take on Australia on Thursday night.

Israel's contract with RA was terminated following a code of conduct hearing instigated after he shared an image on Instagram that said "hell awaits" homosexuals and other "sinners".

In an interview with Sky News last month, Israel said the fallout had been "extremely hard" on Maria, who is a high-profile sportswoman in New Zealand.

As Folau buries himself into fighting his sacking by Rugby Australia for airing his forthright religious views, including condemning gays to hell, it seems he is growing increasingly distant from those he used to rub shoulders with.

They believe his new entourage – which The Australian newspaper labelled "the merry band of preachers, spinmeisters, lawyers and advisers" – are taking things to a new level.

FitzSimons - now a Sydney Morning Herald columnist and prominent broadcaster – gave Folau a spray on Nine's Sports Sunday television show.

He was incensed at Folau's assertion that he wanted an apology from Rugby Australia (RA) and an admission that they were wrong to sack him for posting on Instagram that homosexuals, among others, were headed for hell unless they repented.

FitzSimons' outburst was unleashed during his Sports Sunday appearance.

"Camera one on me," he said. Israel Folau and your demand for an apology… mate, bring it in tight.

The veteran shooter has made headlines after it was revealed she re-posted a controversial online fundraising campaign launched by her husband, former Wallabies fullback Israel Folau.

The cross-code star had his contracted terminated by Rugby Australia last month over a social media post which included homophobic content.

Last week he started a campaign with GoFundMe but on Monday the website shut down the fundraiser which was seeking $3 million towards his legal battle with the governing body.

Maria Folau re-posted the fundraiser on her social media.

Ex-Wallabies star Folau had asked for public donations in his legal battle against Rugby Australia (RA) having had his contract terminated by the governing body last month, following a social media post in which he said homosexuals were destined for hell unless they repented their sins.

Folau, who had previously been warned about similar posts, received more than 700,000 Australian dollars in donations on GoFundMe, but the crowdfunding platform shut down his page and refunded all donors on Monday, explaining that "this campaign violates our terms of service" in a statement.

Folau had raised almost $NZ700,000 after issuing a plea for financial support for his legal battle with Rugby Australia (RA) after his contract was terminated for posting anti-gay messages to social media.

But the popular crowd-funding website has shut Folau's page down, saying it violates its terms of service. All donors will be fully refunded.

"We are absolutely committed to the fight for equality for LGBTIQ+ people and fostering an environment of inclusivity," the company said in a statement.