Rugby Australia

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.

'Inclusive' NRL slams the door on possible Israel Folau return

Hours after Rugby Australia ripped up Folau's contract, Australian Rugby League chairman Peter Beattie made it clear to the Sydney Morning Herald that the former Melbourne and Broncos star would have to continue his career elsewhere.

"Israel Folau doesn't pass our inclusiveness culture, which is a policy strongly supported by the ARLC," Beattie said.

Israel Folau's latest anti-gay comments 'unacceptable'

Wallabies international Folau, one of Australia's top players and most marketable athletes, wrote on Instagram that gays would be condemned to "hell" if they failed to "repent".

New South Wales Waratahs player Folau, an evangelical Christian, made similar comments last April.

Rugby Australia calls of chat with Jake White

Rugby Australia said it was approached by White, who led the Springboks to World Cup victory in 2007.

Wallabies boss Michael Cheika's future is in doubt after his side lost nine of 13 Tests this year.

White was due to talk to Rugby Australia chief executive Raelene Castle yesterday.

The governing body confirmed the South African had initiated a "conversation" with Castle, and a phone call between the pair had been arranged.

"The call as reported will not be going ahead," Rugby Australia said.

Folau offered to quit Rugby Australia contract

The Wallabies fullback wrote a lengthy piece on sports website Players Voice, addressing the fallout from his Instagram message and reiterating his deep religious convictions.

Folau said that in a meeting last week with RA chief executive Raelene Castle and Waratahs CEO Andrew Hore, he gave his bosses the option to sack him.

Rugby Australia to talk to Folau over gay comments

RA announced that chief executive Raelene Castle and Waratahs boss Andrew Hore would meet with Folau following a statement he made on Instagram.

Australia's highest-profile player, who is a devout Christian, sparked social media outrage on Wednesday when he said gay people were headed to "HELL ... Unless they repent of their sins and turn to God" in response to a question on Instagram.

No more Stephen Moore

Rugby Australia said in a statement on Wednesday that Moore originally planned to play one last season with the Queensland Reds in Super Rugby, but will retire after the match at Murrayfield.

"I'd started planning for life after rugby since announcing my retirement from the international game back in July, and the opportunity that I was exploring materialised probably six months earlier than I had expected," Moore said.