Israel Folau

Folau hearing to change location as process stretches into third day

Rugby Australia had set down two days for the hearing over the weekend, both of which were held at the organisation's offices.

With the offices back to normal operation during the week, this third day is set to be moved to the offices of Herberts, Freehills and Mason in Sydney's CBD.

Rugby Australia said on Monday afternoon that a decision would not be made by the end of Tuesday, though it is expected to be the final day of the formal hearing.

Folau will be required to attend again.

Question of rugby and religion for some Pacific players

Israel Folau will front a code of conduct hearing in Sydney on Saturday after being charged by Rugby Australia's Integrity Unit last month for posting on Instagram that gay people and others he considered "sinners" were destined for "hell" if they did not "repent".

Mapusua said Folau has the right to express his religious faith but it should never to be the detriment of another human being.

"There's always been players of different ethnicities, beliefs, religions and the common thing has always been being able to come together and that was through rugby," he said.

Rugby's D-Day arrives but end not in sight as Folau prepares for fight of career

That would be a disaster for Rugby Australia (RA) and is the last thing the code's governing body wants to see happen.

Still, one thing is for sure, the speed with which RA declared its intention to sack the Wallabies star less than 24 hours after his Instagram post declared homosexuals were going to hell will not be mirrored at the code-of-conduct hearing, with lawyers coming at the from every angle.

Folau could still be paid

Folau's future will be decided on May 4th at a hearing requested by the 30-year-old full-back following his dismissal.

It will be heard behind closed doors in Sydney by a three-member panel.

"I can't see him playing again for Australia," Howard told BBC Sport.

"[But] you can still be paid but not selected."

Date set for Folau conduct hearing

The Wallabies superstar has been charged with a high-level code of conduct breach following his latest controversial social media post, and will front a three-person panel at Rugby Australia HQ in Sydney.

The following day has been reserved in case the hearing runs into a second day.

Respected Sydney barrister John West QC will chair the tribunal, with Rugby Australia representative Kate Eastman SC and Rugby Union Players' Association representative John Boultbee the other panellists.

Kurtley Beale can lay claim to Israel Folau's Wallabies spot

With the rugby future of incumbent test fullback Folau in doubt as he awaits his code of conduct hearing, utility Beale has been challenged to showcase his skills at the back for the rest of the Super Rugby season.

He will start there in the Waratahs' crucial clash with Australian conference leaders Melbourne Rebels at the SCG on Saturday.

It's a familiar job for Beale, who made his name in international rugby as fullback, earning nomination for World Player of the Year in 2010 and playing the 2011 World Cup there before becoming the regular inside centre.

'Selfish' Israel Folau's homophobia denounced by Wallabies teammate Will Genia

Folau has found few supporters in the rugby community after attacking gay and transgender people on social media last week, which led to Rugby Australia terminating his $4 million contract, pending an upcoming hearing.

Folau confirmed to RA on Wednesday that he wanted a hearing to fight his dismissal, rather than accepting his fate; though his place in Australian rugby appears untenable whatever the outcome.

Genia followed Wallabies coach Michael Cheika in saying that he did not expect Folau to play for Australia again.

International Gay Rugby applaud sport's swift and decisive response to Israel Folau

Folau has been given a breach of contract notice by Rugby Australia and told to attend a please explain meeting following last week's social media post that has been widely condemned. England club Saracens and their national union have also disciplined Billy Vunipola for supporting Folau.

"We are really pleased with how quickly the unions responded," International Gay Rugby chairman Ben Owen told The Guardian.

Israel Folau's comments rule him out of Rugby World Cup, says Wallabies coach Michael Cheika

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika says Israel Folau's "disrespectful" comments would currently make it impossible to pick the superstar for Australia at this year's Rugby World Cup.

Folau remains stood down by Rugby Australia over his latest social media tirade, which proclaimed homosexuals, drunks and atheists would go to hell unless they repented.

"Getting out in that disrespectful manner publicly is not what our team's about," Cheika said on Monday.

Israel Folau unrepentant: 'I'm more than happy to do what God wants me to do'

The Wallabies fullback and his star netballer wife Maria joined their regular service for the Truth Of Jesus Christ Church at Kenthurst.

During a warm-hearted two-hour service that started with a pastor welcoming "our Tongan brothers and sisters", our guests from The Sydney Morning Herald and "Izzy and Maria", the tight-knit community rallied around their most famous member with support for what one speaker called his "boldness to stand true to his word".

There were multiple references to Folau being "persecuted" for his beliefs in the Lord's teachings.