Waratahs flyhalf Bernard Foley says that Israel Folau’s recent actions have hurt the team.

Rugby Australia has served Folau with a breach of contract notice following the latest in a series of homophobic social media posts. The player has opted for a code of conduct hearing instead of accepting the termination of his recently signed four-year contract.

Folau has been stood down from the Waratahs, and will not feature in the big Australian derby against the Rebels on Saturday.

On Friday, Foley – one of Folau’s teammates at the Waratahs and Wallabies – was asked to comment on the matter. The flyhalf made it clear that Folau has done the Waratahs no favours.

‘I think he’s hurt the team, which is not what we’re doing and not why we play sport. We’re a team and we encourage diversity,’ Foley said.

‘I also don’t think Izzy is a bad guy, so there’s a lot if conflict there, but I don’t agree with what he’s done, so it’s a tough situation.’

Foley said that Folau would have some explaining to do if he eventually returned to the Waratahs set-up.

‘That’s something that we would do: sit down and talk to him about the rules of the team and how the team has to come first for all players,’ Foley said.

‘Because that’s why we play the game, it’s not just individuals who win games.’

Photo: Chris Hyde/Getty Images