'Unacceptable': Fresh posts put Folau on collision course with Rugby Australia

Rugby Australia branded as “unacceptable” social media posts by dual international Israel Folau on Wednesday.

A RA spokesman said its integrity unit had been “engaged on the matter” after the decorated Wallabies fullback took to social media with more commentary on sexuality and religion, including an Instagram post that declared gay people would go to hell.

Israel Folau's social media posts.Credit: AAP

“Rugby Australia is aware of a post made by Israel on his Instagram account this afternoon,” the spokesman said.

“The content within the post is unacceptable. It does not represent the values of the sport and is disrespectful to members of the Rugby community.

“The Rugby Australia integrity unit has been engaged on the matter tonight.”

The controversy comes less than a week after Folau became Super Rugby’s all-time top try scorer with his performance in the Waratahs’ loss to the Blues.

On a week off due to a round nine bye, Folau took to Twitter and Instagram with his religious views.

“The devil has blinded so many people in this world, REPENT and turn away from your evil ways. Turn to Jesus Christ who will set you free,” he wrote on Wednesday night above a screenshot of a news story covering the legislation passed in Tasmanian parliament that made optional in birth certificates a declaration of gender.

A short time later on Instagram he listed “homosexuals” as one of eight groups of people for whom “Hell awaits”, following it with a Bible extract and the commentary: “Those that are living in Sin will end up in hell unless you repent. Jesus Christ loves you and is giving you time to turn away from your sin and come to him.”

It is almost exactly a year since Folau plunged rugby into turmoil with a similar sentiment, stating gay people were “destined for hell”.

The difference then was that some argued he had been goaded into the comment by a question from another user. On Wednesday his posts were unambiguous.

The incident last year split opinion between supporters of Folau’s right to voice his beliefs and those who believed RA should have sanctioned him for comments deemed offensive and upsetting to large groups in the community.

It put Folau’s contract negotiations on ice for many months, but the Waratahs fullback ultimately re-committed to Australian Rugby for four more years.

The issue will be a major headache for RA boss Raelene Castle, who claimed the navigation of Folau’s first transgressions as a major victory in her first year in charge.

She told media at the time: “On the one hand you’re dealing with a human rights issue and on the other hand you’re dealing with a freedom of speech [issue]. There’s someone’s right to express their views, whether it be religious or otherwise, and I think the test is whether it’s done in a respectful way. So that’s the measure we’ll continue to apply.”

Folau’s latest comments are arguably no more offensive but they do appear to be a brazen flouting of an understanding the parties appeared to reach late last year, being that Folau tone down his public expressions of his faith to the extent that they not wilfully court controversy.

The comments also heap further pressure on his teammates at the Waratahs and Wallabies, with a Super Rugby season in the balance and a World Cup looming.

The Waratahs playing group were understood to be supportive of Folau but made their dismay known for the pressure and scrutiny it piled on them in the middle of last season.

The NSW Rugby Union was contacted for comment.