Wallabies superstar Israel Folau has met with Rugby Australia in a bid to salvage his multimillion-dollar contract.
Folau landed in hot water this week, after an Instagram post that claimed Hell awaited "drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists, idolaters" unless they repented.
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That's not the first time he has expressed those views on social media - he did so almost exactly 12 months ago and was put on a very short leash by his employers.
RA and New South Wales Rugby Union spent Thursday trying to contact their player, but by Thursday night, they were ready to severe ties.
"In the absence of compelling mitigating factors, it is our intention to terminate his contract," they said in a statement.
On Friday, Folau finally caught up with his employers in Sydney and they are standing firm on their threat to axe him, even though he is crucial to Australia's Rugby World Cup hopes later this year.
"As the meeting was held in confidence between the player and his employers, Rugby Australia and the NSW Rugby Union will not comment on the discussions at the meeting," the two bodies said in a statement.
"Following today's meeting, the two organisations will update their respective boards on the matter to consider next steps.
"Our joint position regarding Folau is unchanged."
Folau and wife/Silver Ferns netballer Maria Folau were spotted with two other men at a Sydney cafe. One of those men was identified as Rugby Union Players' Association chief executive Prataal Raj.
RUPA had released a statement saying it did not condone Folau's views, but would defend him at a code-of-conduct hearing to decided his future.
When asked by a Fox reporter if he regretted his posts, Folau refused to comment, got into his care and drove off.
Newshub.
