Israel Folau

Pocock "sad" to see Folau's rugby career end

Folau’s multi-million dollar contract was terminated a fortnight ago over a controversial social media post. 

Pocock has often been seen as a juxtaposition to Folau in his views, a vocal advocate of a number of issues.

He and wife Emma did not get legally wed until same-sex marriage was legalised in Australia, Pocock uses his social media accounts to raise awareness about issues including climate change.

Australian rugby players' union to review expressions of faith after Israel Folau saga

RUPA said on Monday the decision to tear up Folau's Rugby Australia contract was "a sad outcome for Israel, his family, friends, teammates, opponents and all associated with rugby in Australia and around the world."

It also said Rugby Australia had not yet provided any clear parameters to the players specifying how it expects them to express their faith and beliefs in a way it considers acceptable.

NRL slam door shut on fallen rugby star Israel Folau

Folau has decided against appealing Rugby Australia sacking him over his homophobic social media post though he hinted he wanted to continue as an athlete.

A route back to league where he started his stunning multi-code career has been largely dismissed and Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter Beattie dashed any faint hopes of that in a damning fresh statement on Folau.

When it was suggested that Folau hadn't been fined or suspended by rugby and there was a technical opening for him to switch back to league, Beattie hit back.

Alan Jones claims Israel Folau is 'feeling like a murderer' as saga drags on

Folau has been found guilty of "high level" misconduct for his controversial social media post condemning gays and others to hell. The Wallabies star is yet to hear the verdict on his $4m contract.

Jones has been a staunch supporter of devout Christian Folau throughout a saga that has divided Australia, mainly on the issue of freedom of speech and allowing a person to air their religious beliefs.

Folau prepares for rugby departure

Folau, a fundamentalist Christian, is awaiting sanction after being found guilty of a high-level breach of Rugby Australia's code of conduct for a post on social media that said hell awaits 'drunks, homosexuals, adulterers' and others.

The three-member panel is expected to announce its decision this week.

On Tuesday, Folau replaced his profile picture on his social media accounts with a graphic of the number '1' which says "God first".

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.