A brother's love: Israel Folau's younger sibling sensationally QUITS the Waratahs in an 'act of loyalty' after his footy idol was sacked over a homophobic post
- John Folau asked for and was granted immediate released from NSW rugby team
- He was unhappy that Waratahs and Rugby Australia sacked his brother Israel
- Coach Daryl Gibson said John struggled with 'divided loyalties' and took time off
- He later decided to quit the team after Israel's sacking was upheld in hearing
- Israel's Instagram post declared 'hell awaited' homosexuals unless they repent
Israel Folau's little brother John has quit the NSW Waratahs in protest over the devout Christian star being sacked for a homophobic Instagram post.
The rugby team on Thursday said the 24-year-old had been granted an immediate release at his request after struggling with 'divided loyalties'.
Israel was dumped by the Waratahs and Rugby Australia for an Instagram post declaring that 'hell awaited' homosexuals unless they repented.
Israel Folau's little brother John (right) quit the NSW Waratahs in protest over the devout Christian star being sacked for a homophobic Instagram post
Israel (pictured with wife Maria) will take Rugby Australia to court, claiming workplace discrimination, in an effort to reverse his sacking
John has not played a game for the Waratahs since he joined the team just before the start of this season, and has stayed away from teammates for weeks.
'We gave John some time off for leave and he has come back to us recently and asked for a release, which we're happy to grant,' coach Daryl Gibson said.
'John has been in a difficult position for the last wee while. He has got really divided loyalties to his family and his brother and then also to the team.
'He wanted to stress how much he enjoyed being with the team and what a difficult decision it was for him.'
Gibson said the issue was raised when Israel's contract was officially terminated three weeks ago, and it wasn't clear if he would ever play rugby again.
'We can all understand the loyalty he has to his family and to his brother and totally respect that position,' he said.
John (left, with Israel) joined the Waratahs this season in the hope of playing with his brother, and was active against the Tokyo Sunwolves in March but spent the whole game on the bench
Israel was dumped by the Waratahs and Rugby Australia for an Instagram post declaring that 'hell awaited' homosexuals unless they repented
John has not played a game for the Waratahs since he joined the team just before the start of this season, and has stayed away from teammates for weeks
Gibson, however, dodged questions about whether John's resignation was a direct act of solidarity with his brother, who is six years older.
John began his professional rugby career in 2012 with the Parramatta Eels but only played in their under-20s and lower-league sides.
He then joined the Waratahs this season in the hope of playing with his brother, and was active against the Tokyo Sunwolves in March but spent the whole game on the bench.
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Israel will take Rugby Australia to court, claiming workplace discrimination, in an effort to reverse his sacking.
He considered deleting his infamous post to save his career after he met with Rugby Australia boss Raelene Castle on April 12.
However, he decided against this when his father Eni, a pastor, told him he would go to hell if he backed down.
According to Eni, who played a crucial role in Israel becoming a born-again Christian in 2017, going back on his words would be sacrilege that would destine him for hell.
The two brothers pictured with their mother and child relatives
He considered deleting his infamous post to save his career, but decided against this when his father Eni (pictured), a pastor, told him he would go to hell if he backed down
The catalyst, which reportedly led to the demise of Israel's career, was when Tasmania's parliament passed legislation on April 9 that allowed people aged 16 and over to legally change their gender on their birth certificate.
Under Israel's extreme Christian views, this was an affront to God, who created man and woman purposefully, and any change to this was therefore the work of the devil.
The graphic posted on April 9 stated drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists and idolaters were all going to hell unless they repented.
'Those that are living in Sin will end up in Hell unless you repent,' Folau wrote in the accompanying caption.
'Jesus Christ loves you and is giving you time to turn away from your sin and come to him.'
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