Israel Folau

Folau stands firm in beliefs ahead of Waratahs comeback

Folau, an Evangelical Christian, wrote on his Instagram page last month that gays would be condemned to "hell" if they failed to "repent", sparking outrage on social media and criticism from a key sponsor.

The 29-year-old, who faced no sanction from Rugby Australia (RA), is now set to feature in the Waratahs' game against the Blues in Sydney tomorrow night after recovering from a hamstring injury.

"I've said what I said in recent weeks," Folau told reporters on Thursday. "I stand firm on what I believe in and that's from something personal with who I am.

Waratahs coach wants Folau to stay

Gibson said he wanted Folau, who is off-contract at the end of 2018, to stay in rugby, but that those conversations were initially, at least, between the Test star and the national body.

Rugby Australia is yet to publicly respond to Folau's article, though after their meeting last week, Rugby Australia CEO Raelene Castle said they still wanted Folau to stick with the sport.

It is unclear exactly what the organisation's next step will be after Monday night.

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.

Human rights advocate says Israel Folau comments hurt

Folau replied to a comment on an Instagram post saying God's plan for gay people is "hell, unless they repent of their sins and turn to God".

Tuiloma Lina Samu says those comments are harmful for people who already deal with intolerance and rejection, based on their sexuality.

"Those words hurt and they hurt significantly especially vulnerable people who are already marginalised people, who are already rejected and ostracized by communities and families," she says.

Folau won't be sanctioned over anti-gay post

RA chief executive Raelene Castle and Andrew Hore, the CEO of Folau's Super Rugby team New South Wales Waratahs, met with the player in Sydney on Tuesday.

The meeting was arranged after Folau, an Evangelical Christian, wrote on his Instagram page that gays would be condemned to "hell" if they failed to "repent", sparking outrage on social media and criticism from a key sponsor.

Castle said Folau acknowledged he had caused "grief to some people" but she declined to comment on whether he had agreed to tone down his views in his social media posts.

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.

Folau in homophobic slur

Devout Christian Folau, who was vocal in his opposition of Australia's decision to legalise same-sex marriage last year, is already facing a social media backlash after outlining his views on Instagram.

Folau initially posted a graphic of 'God's plan', which one user replied to by asking what God's plan was for gay people?

The 29-year-old, who plays his club rugby for the Waratahs, replied: "HELL... Unless they repent their sins and turn to God."

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Maria still adjusting to life as a Folau

After a 13-year international career, this campaign has a distinctly different feel about it. In her fourth Commonwealth Games, this will be the first in which she's taken the court with her new surname emblazoned across the back of her black dress, after her marriage to Australian cross-code superstar Israel Folau in November.

The 57-test veteran admits she's still coming to terms with this "weirdly" sentimental transition, despite having already debuted her new name during January's Quad Series.

Israel Folau in no rush to decide his rugby future

The superstar fullback is off contract at the end of 2018 and even the lure of a second Rugby World Cup appearance next year may not be enough to keep Folau in the 15-man code.       

"Look, it's something I enjoyed last time around. But, in saying that, there's plenty of options on the line and, when that time comes, I'll make a decision when I'm ready," Folau said on Wednesday.     

"There's no rush. I want to make sure everything is set in position and I feel comfortable and I'll come out and make that announcement."            

Two Wallabies in world top 10

Rugby World magazine released a list of their top 100 current players for 2017, with Hooper and Folau coming in at no. 8 and no. 5, respectively, behind the number one, England's Owen Farrell.

The pair are two of eight Aussies in the list, though just five of those eight played Super Rugby last year.

Flanker David Pocock, at no. 41, will be back in Australia next month after a year's sabbatical, but former Wallabies centre Matt Toomua (60) looks unlikely to play for the Wallabies again, after re-signing with Leicester until 2019.