Israel Folau has increased his demands over his sacking to A$14 million after claiming he could have captained the Wallabies during the 2019 World Cup.
Folau is embroiled in a bitter legal dispute with Rugby Australia after his multi-million-dollar contract was terminated following his controversial social media post in April stating homosexuals are destined for hell unless they repent their sins.
The former Wallabies fullback is arguing that his termination was a case of religious discrimination.
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As part of his raised claim from the original A$10 million, Folau now claims that he was robbed of the chance to lead the Wallabies during the World Cup in Japan. Potential earnings from match performances and sponsorship have been included in the claim. He has also argued that the Wallabies could have achieved a ‘superior performance’ and gone further into the tournament had he been a part of the squad.
Australia ended up quarter-finalists at the World Cup after finishing second in Pool D on the end of a 40-16 thrashing by England in the first round of playoffs.
The claim comes just over a month after Folau had offered to publically apologise and allow Rugby Australia to review any future social media posts before posting. Folau was heavily criticised last week after claiming that the recent bushfires in Australia were linked to the country’s laws on same-sex marriage and abortion.
Photo: BIANCA DE MARCHI AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND