John Folau, Israel’s brother, released by NSW Waratahs

John Folau has been granted a release by the Waratahs in an apparent act of solidarity with his brother.

Israel Folau’s brother John, right, has been released by the Wallabies. Picture: AAP

Israel Folau’s younger sibling, John, has been granted an immediate release by the NSW Waratahs in an apparent act of solidarity with his brother who today launched legal action against Rugby Australia for dismissing him unlawfully because of his religion.

John Folau, 24, has not played a match for the Tahs this season after being signed by the franchise back in December.

When his 30-year-old brother fell foul of rugby authorities by posting that homosexuals, among others, were destined for Hell, John was caught in the middle.

“Obviously we gave John some time off, some leave,” said Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson. “He’s come back to us and asked for a release which we are happy to grant.

“He has been in a difficult position for the last wee while. He’s got divided loyalties around his family and obviously his brother but also to the team. He wants to stress how much he has enjoyed being with the team and what a difficult decision it was for him.”

Gibson said he had the utmost respect for the decision John Folau had made. “We can all understand the loyalty he has to his family and brother. I totally respect that position.”

When queried about John’s motivation for ending his professional rugby career and whether solidarity with his brother had played a part in it, Gibson replied: “That’s something for him to answer.”

The closest he came to playing for the Tahs was when he was named the bench in the round seven clash against the Sunwolves in Newcastle but, as things went south for the NSW side and they lost arguably their easiest match of the season, he did not take the field.

Gordon club flyer Tautalatasi Tasi has been added to the Tahs squad as replacement for Folau and is in line to make his debut against the Brumbies at Bankwest Stadium on Saturday.