Israel Folau

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.

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.

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."

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.

 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.

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.

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.

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'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."

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.