Israel Folau launches updated claim against Rugby Australia

There’s been a stunning development in Israel Folau’s fight against Rugby Australia as he upped the ante against his former employer.

Israel Folau is now demanding $14 million in compensation from Rugby Australia, claiming he could have been a Wallabies captain.

The cross-code star lodged an updated statement of claim in the Federal Circuit Court where he’s increasing his demands from $10 million to $14 million.

Folau, who was sacked for anti-gay comments made on social media this year, said his contract termination will cost him $4.2 million from 2019-2022, as well as $300,000 in match payments from 2019-2021 and an additional $150,000 in match payments in 2022.

He also claims he stood to make up to $1.5 million a season for one or two years with Rugby Australia and a Super Rugby club after 2022.

Folau also suggests he would have earned up to $1.5 million a year for two-to-three years had he chosen to play overseas after his international career ended.

Estimates provided over lost sponsorship dollars and the missed revenue that comes with competing at World Cups and possibly captaining the national team were also used to justify the controversial star’s new $14 million demand.

The claim includes estimates of between $450,000 and $1.25 million a year lost in “post-playing career monetary benefits” over a span of 15 to 25 years. It also details Folau’s belief he could have earned more if he was selected as Wallabies Test captain in the future.

“Additional post-playing career monetary benefits to be derived from building upon (his) record of achievement ... and two additional Rugby World Cups,” the claim states.

“Including a superior performance at the 2019 Rugby World Cup by the Wallabies than what was achieved without Folau, and possible captainship of a trophy-winning Wallabies team.”

Folau is after more money.

Folau, Super Rugby’s record try-scorer who has played for Australia 73 times, also says in the updated claim a senior Australian player told then-Wallabies coach Michael Cheika his sacking would cause a divide within the team and offend “Christian Polynesian” teammates.

Folau said during his code of conduct hearing in May he had received lots of support from those within the rugby community — a point made in the updated claim.

“During the hearing before the Tribunal, Mr Folau revealed to the tribunal that at least 15 teammates and members of the coaching staff had either provided him with messages of support and/or urged for his return to the playing field and that he had been informed by his teammates and management that there would be no disharmony or impact on team cohesion if he were to return to the game,” the updated claim says.

Folau’s Rugby Australia contract was torn up after it was determined he had breached the governing body’s code of conduct when he said on Instagram “hell awaits” gay people.

He refused to back down from his comments and cited religious freedom as a reason why he should be allowed to express his beliefs, launching a $10 million lawsuit against his former employer for wrongful termination.

Folau then tried to kickstart a GoFundMe campaign, asking for money to fund his legal fight against Rugby Australia.

Folau has been dumped from the Wallabies and Waratahs.

The 30-year-old recently sparked outrage when he claimed during a sermon at his church the destructive bushfires that have ravaged parts of Australia were “God’s judgment” for the legalisation of same-sex marriage and abortion.

The comments were slammed as “appallingly insensitive” by Prime Minister Scott Morrison, himself an evangelical Christian.

Folau said the devastating drought and timing of fires across swathes of NSW and Queensland, were no coincidence.

“I’ve been looking around at the events that’s been happening in Australia, this past couple of weeks, with all the natural disasters, the bushfires and the droughts,” he said.

Folau then talked to the congregation about same-sex marriage and abortion.

“God’s word says for a man and a woman to be together, one man and one woman in the covenant of marriage,” he said, while adding: “Abortion, it’s OK now to murder, kill infants, unborn children.

“Look how rapid these bushfires, these droughts, all these things have come in a short period of time. Do you think it’s a coincidence or not?

“God is speaking to you guys. Australia you need to repent and take these laws and turn it back to what is right by God.”

With AAP, AFP