Rugby star Israel Folau says his "head is held high" and that he is at peace after Tuesday's verdict that he has committed a high-level breach of Rugby Australia's professional players' code of conduct and faces the sack.
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Former Wallabies coach and radio broadcaster Alan Jones has been in regular contact with Folau since the three-time John Eales medallist and deeply religious Christian posted a photo to social media that said homosexuals were destined for hell unless they repented their sins.
Jones told his 2GB listeners on Wednesday morning that Folau expressed his frustrations to him before a three-day code of conduct hearing on Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday that has now wrapped up.
A three-person independent panel is yet to hand down its punishment to Folau but there is a good chance they will come good on RA's intention to terminate the 73-Test fullback's multi-million dollar contract.
"I have just had a note from Israel, he won't mind if I'm sharing it with you because I said to him: 'hold your head up'," Jones said.
"He said: 'Alan, I'm at peace mate. My head is held high'."
Regardless of the verdict - expected in coming days - Folau is almost certain to appeal the decision, meaning another code of conduct hearing will take place.
If he loses again, the matter could be taken to the courts and it is understood Folau and his legal team will leave no stone unturned and will potentially take the matter to the High Court as a final throw of the dice.
"We sat down the other day and had a long yarn," Jones said. "In many ways it was very, very sad. We were having a feed ... and at one point he just threw his hands gently up in the air and he said: 'Alan, I don't know what this is about. What am I supposed to have done here'?"
"It will go to the highest court in the land if it has to.
"You mob on the board of Australian rugby and you so-called independent panelists, enjoy your triumph of the last 24 hours, because it's going to be sorely tested in the weeks and months ahead."
Folau's team and RA will now provide written submissions to the panel with their view on what the punishment should be.
There has been no deadline confirmed on when the submissions have to be handed in or even when a verdict will be handed down.
Regardless of an outcome, Folau's future in Australian rugby is all but over and a glittering career is set to come to a halt. His hopes of representing the Wallabies at the Rugby World Cup beginning in September have all but vanished.
Folau told the Herald last month he "absolutely" would be content if he was forced to leave rugby.
"First and foremost, I live for God now," Folau said. "Whatever He wants me to do, I believe His plans for me are better than whatever I can think. If that's not to continue on playing, so be it.
"In saying that, obviously I love playing footy and if it goes down that path I'll definitely miss it. But my faith in Jesus Christ is what comes first.
"Obviously it's a tough time but for me I find comfort in obviously what the Bible says.
"I have love towards everyone that might be saying negative things ... I choose to love them because God loves me."
- SMH/The Age
