Israel Folau

As Folau buries himself into fighting his sacking by Rugby Australia for airing his forthright religious views, including condemning gays to hell, it seems he is growing increasingly distant from those he used to rub shoulders with.

They believe his new entourage – which The Australian newspaper labelled "the merry band of preachers, spinmeisters, lawyers and advisers" – are taking things to a new level.

FitzSimons - now a Sydney Morning Herald columnist and prominent broadcaster – gave Folau a spray on Nine's Sports Sunday television show.

He was incensed at Folau's assertion that he wanted an apology from Rugby Australia (RA) and an admission that they were wrong to sack him for posting on Instagram that homosexuals, among others, were headed for hell unless they repented.

FitzSimons' outburst was unleashed during his Sports Sunday appearance.

"Camera one on me," he said. Israel Folau and your demand for an apology… mate, bring it in tight.

The veteran shooter has made headlines after it was revealed she re-posted a controversial online fundraising campaign launched by her husband, former Wallabies fullback Israel Folau.

The cross-code star had his contracted terminated by Rugby Australia last month over a social media post which included homophobic content.

Last week he started a campaign with GoFundMe but on Monday the website shut down the fundraiser which was seeking $3 million towards his legal battle with the governing body.

Maria Folau re-posted the fundraiser on her social media.

Ex-Wallabies star Folau had asked for public donations in his legal battle against Rugby Australia (RA) having had his contract terminated by the governing body last month, following a social media post in which he said homosexuals were destined for hell unless they repented their sins.

Folau, who had previously been warned about similar posts, received more than 700,000 Australian dollars in donations on GoFundMe, but the crowdfunding platform shut down his page and refunded all donors on Monday, explaining that "this campaign violates our terms of service" in a statement.

Folau had raised almost $NZ700,000 after issuing a plea for financial support for his legal battle with Rugby Australia (RA) after his contract was terminated for posting anti-gay messages to social media.

But the popular crowd-funding website has shut Folau's page down, saying it violates its terms of service. All donors will be fully refunded.

"We are absolutely committed to the fight for equality for LGBTIQ+ people and fostering an environment of inclusivity," the company said in a statement. 

Folau's multi-million dollar contract was terminated last month by RA after the 30-year-old posted a photo to Instagram in April that said homosexuals were destined for hell unless they repented their sins.

Folau has launched legal proceedings with the Fair Work Commission and if a deal is not struck with RA, he has confirmed his intention to take the matter to the High Court.

The Sydney Morning Herald revealed this week John Folau had backflipped on a deal to return to rugby league after asking the Waratahs for a release because of "personal reasons", believed to be related to his brother's controversial sacking.

The 24-year-old told Blacktown Workers, the feeder club for Manly, he would lace the boots this weekend for them but then told club officials he had decided to instead concentrate on his rugby.

The former Wallabies full-back had his contract terminated following an investigation into an offensive social media post in April.

Folau, a devout Christian, uploaded an image to Instagram that said "hell awaits drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists and idolators".

The 30-year-old had been warned for similar comments last year and was this time found guilty of a "high-level breach" of the governing body's code of conduct.

The former Waratahs star was sacked by RA last month following an anti-homosexual social media post in April.

Folau, a devout Christian, uploaded an image on Instagram that said "hell awaits drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists and idolators".

The 30-year-old had been warned for similar comments last year and was this time found guilty of a "high-level breach" of the governing body's code of conduct.

Folau did not appeal his dismissal but insisted he was not accepting the findings.

A former Federal Opposition leader, Latham made his declaration under NSW parliamentary privilege, which offers him legal protection.

He mounted an astonishing attack on RA, Castle and Qantas boss Alan Joyce over the sacking of the religious footballer, who was found to have broken the terms of his contract via social media comments.

Folau made social media posts that were homophobic in nature, and deemed a breach of his contract.