Folau's career in the balance as Rugby Australia investigate 'unacceptable' Instagram post

Israel Folau is back courting controversy less than a week after becoming Super Rugby’s all-time top try scorer.

The Australian has garnered an unsavoury reputation for his social media commentary on sexuality and religion. 

And he has taken to Instagram to reheat the divisive issue, claiming that gay people will go to hell. He also appeared to criticism legislation in Tasmania that is making gender an optional section on birth certificates. 

In a post sent to his 300,000 followers on Instagram, the Australian international wrote: 

“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.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BwEWt2uHcLI/?utm_source=ig_embed

“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings and such like of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God – Galatians 5:19-21 KJV.”

Folau’s outburst also included a tweet about the devil to his 119,000 Twitter followers. Nearly a year ago, the Waratahs player caused rancour with a similar sentiment, claiming gay people were “destined for hell”.

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. pic.twitter.com/BWSWTMye98

— Israel Folau (@IzzyFolau) April 10, 2019

That opinion caused uproar between Folau supporters who backed his right to voice his beliefs and those who believed that Rugby Australia should sanction him for offensive comments that caused upset to large groups of people.

The consequences of that controversy was to put Folau’s contract negotiations on hold for many months. However, he has since re-signed, ultimately re-committing in February to Rugby Australia for four more years.

Rugby Australia say controversial social media post by Israel Folau is "unacceptable" and have engaged the RugbyAU integrity unit.

READ: https://t.co/hWow4UwjWZ

— RUGBYcomau (@rugbycomau) April 10, 2019

That extension was agreed on the proviso that Folau would express his views more respectfully on social media, but his latest message appears to go against the grain of this agreement.

Rugby Australia issued a statement calling Folau’s post unacceptable. “Rugby Australia is aware of a post made by Israel Folau on his Instagram account,” it read.

https://www.facebook.com/rugbypass/photos/a.1067916703281652/2670138863059420/?type=3&theater

“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.”

WATCH: Raelene Castle reacts to Folau’s comments in 2018