A devout Christian who has made 73 international appearances for the Wallabies, Folau was found guilty of a code of conduct breach last week, following a homophobic social media post, which listed “drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists and idolaters,” reading underneath, “Hell awaits you.”

The controversial Instagram post in April has not been deleted.

A three-person tribunal decided on Friday that Folau’s contract with Rugby Australia should be terminated.

In a statement after his sacking was confirmed by Rugby Australia, Folau said he was “deeply saddened” by the outcome.

“It has been a privilege and an honor to represent Australia and my home state of New South Wales, playing the game I love,” he stated.