Israel Folau

Rugby a broad church but Christians in the scrum better keep schtum

It’s an all-inclusive organisation which will include Christians who unashamedly parade their faith by drawing the symbol of the cross on their wrist strapping at the World Cup — but they’d better stay quiet and pretend to be people they are not if they want to be paid.

Young Christians catch wind of the mockery, disgust, disdain and looming unemployment thrown Folau’s way and begin to wonder if Jesus is any more real than the Tooth Fairy and Santa Claus.

Wallaby star Israel Folau hints at possible sacking with 'God First' profile overhaul

With an independent three-person panel expected to decide on the Wallaby backline ace's future this week, Folau could be resigned to losing his A$4 million deal with Rugby Australia after electing to remove pictures of himself in Waratahs gear from his Instagram and Twitter accounts. He has replaced them with religious images.

The main profile picture on both accounts is now an image of a number '1'. It is made up of the word 'god' repeated many times.

Within the number '1' the words 'God First' are fitted into the image. 

Waratahs: Sad day for rugby if Folau is sacked

The Waratahs and Wallabies player is expected to learn his fate this week, possibly as early as today, after being found guilty of a high-level breach of Rugby Australia's professional players' code of conduct following his controversial social media posts.

Termination of his four-year, $4 million contract seems most likely, rather than a fine or suspension, after Folau rejected a peace offering from Rugby Australia to remove the posts.

Folau resisted "temptation" of peace offering

The troubled Wallabies star described his fallout with the governing body as "challenging" and spoke of being tempted by the "opportunity" to rekindle his career with the NSW Waratahs and Wallabies during a Sydney church address.

The fundamentalist Christian faces being sacked by RA after being found to have committed a high-level code of conduct breach for an Instagram post that said hell awaited "drunks, homosexuals, adulterers" and others.

'I think he would get a lot of satisfaction out of playing for Tonga'

Folau is waiting to receive his punishment for being found guilty at a code of conduct hearing after his controversial Instagram post last month that said “hell awaits” gay people.

Folau faces the prospect of being banished from Australian rugby and if that eventuates, Kefu — who is now coach of the Tongan national team — said he would love to talk to the 73-Test veteran about switching allegiances.

NRL no place for Israel Folau, claims sport's chief

When Rugby Australia indicated its intention to sack Folau last month, eyes almost immediately turned to a handful of NRL clubs who could afford to bring the controversial fullback on board.

But before they could even pick up the phone, Beattie made a stand by declaring the NRL off limits for the fallen star.

Speaking in Brisbane ahead of the NRL Magic Round, Beattie reiterated the reasons behind that decision.

Players who support Folau 'have no place in Australian rugby'

The Wallabies fullback Folau has been found guilty by Rugby Australia of committing a high-level breach of their code of conduct.

The decision comes after a three-day hearing on whether his social media post that said hell awaited "drunks, homosexuals, adulterers" and others, was a breach of its rules.

A panel is now considering sanctions.

England number eight Billy Vunipola and Queensland Reds captain Samu Kerevi were among several Pasifika athletes to "like" Folau's original post on Instagram.

Tongan coach would welcome Folau

Former Wallaby Toutai Kefu is the Tongan Head Coach, he says Folau would be welcome in his team.

"I'd love that."

"I think he would get a lot of satisfaction out of playing for Tonga," he said.

Folau's parents are Tongan, but Kefu acknowledges World Rugby rules mean he would be unable to play on International stage for three years.

"He could definitely be available for the next World Cup (France 2023)," he said.

"If he does get dismissed by Rugby Australia, he could play in the UK or France, there is plenty of top level competition for him."

Israel Folau: Australians divided as they digest Wallabies star's guilty ruling

Folau's future in Australian rugby is looking increasingly grim after an independent panel determined he had committed a "high level" breach of the professional players' code of conduct.

While Folau has been found guilty of misconduct, no sanction has yet been handed down following his controversial social media posts about homosexuals and other sinners.

"I find it extraordinary that quoting from the best-selling book in the history of the world is a breach of contract," Bernardi said on Sky News Australia.

Israel Folau saga: Australia's first gay rugby club says comments are offensive

 As the Wallabies and Waratahs star's code of conduct hearing with Rugby Australia (RA) continues on Tuesday, the Sydney Convicts have condemned his comments as offensive.

Folau took to Instagram to proclaim "hell awaits drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists and idolators" unless they repent and turn to Jesus.

Convicts club president Don Rose, who says he grew up worshipping the Wallabies as he was grappling with his own sexuality, told ABC News the entire rugby community wants the Folau situation to be dealt with so it can move on.