Rugby Australia

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Rugby Australia faces a potential Pacific player mutiny

In an explosive development days out from Israel Folau's attempt to save his multi-million-dollar career at an RA code of conduct hearing, Queensland Reds and Wallabies prop Taniela Tupou took to Facebook to express his support for the under-fire superstar.

"Seriously? Might as well sack me and all the other Pacific Islands rugby players around the world because we have the same Christian beliefs," Tupou posted.

"I will never apologise for my faith and what i believe in, religion had nothing to do with rugby anyways."

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."

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.

Former Wallabies skipper Horwill hangs up the boots

Horwill started his Super Rugby career with the Queensland Reds, playing 116 matches and captaining the side to the 2011 Super Rugby championship.

The lock, nicknamed Kev, made his Wallabies debut in 2007 and narrowly missed out on that year's World Cup squa.d

His time would come four years, captaining the Wallabies in the 2011 Rugby World Cup, capping off a dream 2011 season.

Horwill was a surprise omission from the 2015 Rugby World Cup squad and the Queensland veteran made the move to English club Harlequins at the end of that season.