Rugby Australia is continuing with its plans to terminate Israel Folau's contract. It was announced on Monday that the 30-year-old has been issued with a breach notice following anti-gay posts which he made on social media last week.
The Australian international expressed an opinion that for gay people, "hell awaits". He expressed a similar sentiment last year and had been warned.
Folau now has 48 hours to accept the sanction or have the matter referred to a hearing.
Asked if he would be able to select Folau for his team again, Australia head coach Michael Cheika told the Sydney Morning Herald, "you wouldn’t be able to".
"We had a discussion after the last time and made it pretty clear about his right to believe and our support in that, if that's what he wants, to be part of the team," continued Cheika.
But getting it out in that disrespectful manner publicly is not what our team is about.
When you play in the gold jersey we represent everyone in Australia, everyone. Everyone that is out there supporting us, we don't pick and choose.
Wallabies captain Michael Hooper was also asked if he would be comfortable playing with Folau again.
"Like was said before, in this current state and being here and talking about this as a rugby player, it makes it hard, it makes it difficult," said Hooper.
Picture credit: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE
