Former Wallabies George Gregan, Clyde Rathbone attack Israel Folau

Former Wallabies attack Israel Folau’s latest social media post, with George Gregan demanding he stop preaching and Clyde Rathbone calling him a “religious lunatic’’.

Israel Folau, left, should shut up, says former Wallaby captain George Gregan.

Israel Folau is coming under renewed pressure from former Wallabies with ex-captain George Gregan calling on the star to stop preaching and Clyde Rathbone labelling him a “religious lunatic’’.

As Rugby Australia agonises over how to deal with Folau and his views on homosexuality, Rathbone tweeted this morning that “it has become painfully clear that Australia’s best rugby player is a religious lunatic bent on self-immolation’’.

“As the ARU thumb through their ‘Inclusion ‘Policy’ they would do well to heed @Ayaan’s (human rights activist Ayaan Hirsi Ali’s) insight that ‘Tolerance of intolerance is cowardice’,” Rathbone tweeted.

It has become painfully clear that Australia's best rugby player is a religious lunatic bent on self-immolation. As the ARU thumb through their 'Inclusion 'Policy' they would do well to heed @Ayaan's insight that “Tolerance of intolerance is cowardice.” https://t.co/QPLgles9lj

— Clyde Rathbone (@ClydeRathbone) May 9, 2018

Gregan — an unabashed fan of the record-setting dual international — thinks it’s time for Folau to shut up. The saga has continued for more than a month now.

“As soon as you bring it on the social media platform, it becomes a huge, huge point of discussion about the game, not necessarily for the right reasons and not representative of the people in the game of rugby,” Gregan said. “That’s my concern with this. Let’s talk football. These beliefs that you talk about, keep them to yourself.

“I don’t see there’s a need to be putting it on a huge social platform because it takes away from what he is; a great rugby player.”

Australia’s highest-profile player Folau this week again courted controversy after posting a link on social media to a video that warns against “tolerance” of same-sex marriage.

The tweeted video features an 11-minute sermon by late American evangelist David Wilkerson who warns of “sexual perversions beyond description” and is the latest in a series of provocative anti-gay posts from the Wallabies superstar over the past five weeks.

With great love i wanted to share this video in the hope that people watch it and think about it. Jesus is coming back soon and he wants us to turn to him through repentance and baptism in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38) please don't harden your heart https://t.co/PtDoPCQDco

— Israel Folau (@IzzyFolau) May 7, 2018

RA has opted not to sanction Folau amid ongoing backlash from sections of fans and fellow players, including All Blacks, and expression of concerns from major sponsors Qantas and Asics.

RA boss Raelene Castle last night admitted that Folau’s provocative religious views opposing homosexuality and same-sex marriage are proving the biggest challenge of her decade-long sports administration career.

But despite conceding he was “walking the line”, the former New Zealand Netball and Canterbury NRL chief executive has so far opted not to sanction the code- hopping matchwinner.

Castle, though, insists that has nothing to do with the governing body being eager to retain Folau beyond 2018 when his contract expires. “In my career, this is singularly the most difficult thing I’ve ever had to deal with,” Castle told Fox Sports’ Kick and Chase program on Wednesday night. “There’s no black and white answer.

Clyde Rathbone.

“On the one hand, you’re dealing with a human rights issue. On the other hand, you’re dealing with freedom of speech and someone’s right to express their views, whether it be religious or otherwise.

“I think the test continues to be whether that’s done in a respectful way, so that’s the measure that we’ll continue to apply.”

Castle conceded Folau was “walking the line” and disrespecting teammates by putting them in a position of constantly having to answer questions about his beliefs.

She spoke to the dual international again on Wednesday but said the matter was unusually sensitive.

“It’s a really delicate issue and I really wish I could sit here and say this is black and white and by sanctioning him will fix it and by going down this path will punish him as well,” she said.

“But it’s really not that simple because of the freedom of speech element.

“It’s a very hot topic in the Australian landscape at the moment. The freedom of speech movement is looking for a conversation to be had and that’s why — and I keep repeating myself — it’s very delicate and we’re trying to manage both sides so everyone feels included.”

With AAP