Folau says he knew Instagram post would be ‘offensive’ but would do it again

Israel Folau tells conference he would ‘absolutely’ do it again despite the fallout.

Israel Folau poses for photos with fans before speaking at the Australian Christian Lobby's 'Not Ashamed' conference in Darling Harbour on Saturday. Picture: Brenden Hills.

Sacked Wallaby Israel Folau says he knew his now-infamous Instagram post would offend people but would “absolutely” do it again despite the career fallout.

Speaking at the Australian Christian Lobby’s annual conference — titled ‘Not Ashamed’ — in Sydney on Saturday, The Daily Telegraph reports Folau told the crowd he did not foresee the damage it would do to him personally.

“My intentions around posting that and sharing the truth of what the scriptures say ...I didn’t think it was going to come to the point where I’m in this situation now,” Folau is quoted as saying.

“I never had a special social media clause within my contract.

“I was quite surprised that I was called into to have a meeting about the post and that the intentions were to terminate the contract. That was a real surprise to me,” he said.

“Before I even posted up the post, it never cross my mind that I would get fired from my job.”

Folau on stage during a Q&A session. Picture: Brenden Hills.

“I knew it was going to be offensive to a lot of people but the greatest thing about that is there’s a way out for the sacrifice of what Jesus Christ had done on the cross and that’s ultimately the message of love and what I wanted to show … to people out there.

Folau, who condemned drunks, homosexuals and adulterers in his April post, said it was hard to now have to sit on the sidelines as his former teammates play in the Rugby World Cup, but insisted he goes to bed each night “with a peaceful heart.”

“I had a real purpose in my heart that if I was to find myself in a situation like this that I was going to do what’s right by God and send up for the truth regardless of the things that you may lose within this lifetime,” he said.

Folau was sacked by Rugby Australia but is seeking $10 million in compensation from Fair Work Australia, claiming unfair dismissal.

Folau’s wife, netball star Maria Folau, has also been drawn into the sage. After publicly supporting her husband, The Australian this week revealed the New Zealand national would not return to play for the Adelaide Thunderbirds in the 2020 season.