‘Faith comes first’ for unrepentant star Wallaby

Israel Folau is standing by the polarising comments that could cost him his rugby union career.

Israel and Maria Folau at Kenthurst Uniting Church. Picture: Hollie Adams.

Israel Folau has been attending the Sunday service at the Truth of Jesus Christ Church in Sydney’s northwest for years.

Yet for the Wallabies superstar, whose four-year $4 million contract hangs in the balance over a social media post in which he wrote that homosexuals were destined for hell, yesterday’s sermon held particular importance.

Speaking publicly for the first time after what he described as a “challenging” week, Folau told The Australian that “faith comes first”, and he stood by his polarising comments which, he said, reflected his Christian beliefs and the Bible’s teachings.

“I obviously love rugby and would like to continue to play, but for me faith comes first,” he said.

“My Christian faith and the Bible is what is most important to me.”

Folau’s Instagram post on Wednesday advocated that all “drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists and idolaters” were going to hell if they didn’t repent.

It kickstarted a wave of calls for him to be sacked just six months out from the Rugby World Cup.

Yesterday, joined in the church hall by his wife, professional netball player Maria Folau, the star said his motivation behind the ­Instagram post was simple.

“I was directed by what it says in the Bible and from my point of view I share that with a whole lot of love,” Folau said.

Yesterday’s service, presided over by his father, Eni Folau, included messages of finding strength in your faith. “Some of the sermons we heard came from the Bible and spoke of standing for what you believe in and against persecution,” Folau said.

The 30-year-old said he was supported by his church community and felt emboldened by his faith. When it came to the response of his teammates regarding the social media furore, it was “more tricky”. “It’s hard because I think everyone has their own beliefs and ideas,” he said.

Folau said he understood the widespread criticism of his views, and he didn’t have any “hard feelings or malice” towards anyone.

He declined to comment when asked whether the controversy was a freedom of speech issue, but ­reiterated he would continue to speak out when it came to his ­beliefs. On Thursday, Rugby Australia chief Raelene Castle and NSW Rugby Union chief executive Andrew Hore announced their intention to terminate Folau’s contract and a string of sponsors, including Qantas, distanced themselves from the player. Folau could be served with a breach-of-contract notice by Rugby Australia as early as today.

He has already indicated that he intends to challenge any move to sack him, so the saga will likely move to a code of conduct meeting with the sport’s governing bodies later this week.

If the situation remains unresolved, it is possible that the matter will end up in court.

The 62-Test veteran said he would await the outcome of the process before deciding whether to pursue his rugby career ­overseas. A return to the NRL — he played 91 games between 2007 and 2010 during stints with the Melbourne Storm and the ­Brisbane Broncos — is not an ­option, after the sport’s chairman, Peter Beattie, ruled out such a move. “Israel Folau doesn’t pass our inclusiveness test,” Mr Beattie said.