Israel Folau described his controversial fallout with Rugby Australia as ‘challenging’ in an address during a Sydney church service.

Folau faces a potential contract termination after an independent panel found him guilty of a high-level breach with Rugby Australia for his controversial Instagram post in which he said hell awaited ‘drunks, homosexuals and adulterers’.

The panel is expected to deliver their verdict this week, putting his four-year, $4-million contract at risk. Speaking during a church service on Sunday, Folau was adamant that the process was not yet finished.

‘Potentially I could get terminated, which means that there’s no more playing contract and therefore no more finances or money coming in,’ Folau said. ‘It would be the first time it has happened to me in my life.

‘All the materialistic things I have been able to have over the last number of years are slowly being taken away from me. It’s been really challenging, but also it’s been encouraging to myself to see what my God is actually doing.’

It has been reported that Folau could have resumed playing in Australia had he simply taken down the post.

‘There have been many opportunities to potentially make the situation a little bit easier,’ Folau added. ‘I could go back and play the game, get everything back to the way it used to be. The way Satan works is he offers you stuff that could look good to the eye and makes you feel comfortable, and if you follow that path all the worries and troubles will go away.’

The panel is considering written submissions from both parties before handing down their verdict. The opportunity to appeal would then present itself, meaning the issue could drag on for the coming weeks.

Photo: EPA/Bianca de Marchi