Embattled former Wallabies star Israel Folau has jumped to the defence of one of his biggest critics amid his ongoing saga with Rugby Australia over his sudden sacking.
The 30-year-old has urged his online followers to stop attacking gay rights activist Magda Szubanski after she was flooded with hateful comments since launching a rival fundraising campaign.
'Hey everyone I totally agree with Julia Baird - please stop the anonymous online attacks on (Magda Szubanski) who has entered this debate very respectfully,' Folau wrote on Twitter on Sunday.
'She is entitled to express her views - let's all have this important discussion with love in our hearts.'
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Embattled former Wallabies star Israel Folau (pictured with wife Maria) has jumped to the defence of one of his biggest critics amid his ongoing saga with Rugby Australia over his sudden sacking
Magda Szubanski (pictured) was flooded with hateful comments since launching a rival fundraising campaign
The actress and comedian launched a GoFundMe campaign called 'For Love', which raises money to help sick children, as Folau began fundraising for his battle against Rugby Australia over his sudden sacking in April.
Szubanski was criticised on social media for using young cancer patients as 'drawcards' in her attempt to pull donors away from Folau's campaign.
Ms Baird, an ABC journalist, slammed the 'ugly hate campaign' against Ms Szubanski.
'Jesus said to love your enemies, not troll them,' she wrote.
Folau, one of Australia's best rugby players, has remained relatively quiet on social media while his battle with Rugby Australia over his unfair dismissal case has been ongoing.
However, hours before speaking out on Sunday, Folau delivered a passionate sermon at The Truth Of Jesus Christ Church in Sydney's west, where he warned that Spiritual warfare was 'very real' and said Jesus would return, The Daily Telegraph reported.
The 30-year-old has urged his online followers to stop attacking gay rights activist Magda Szubanski after she was flooded with hateful comments over her rival fundraising campaign against Folau's
On Easter Sunday, Folau also gave a sermon at his church a week after his controversial Instagram post caused outrage
'As born-again believers of Christ, we go on the journey, the walk, but we should never think we are strong enough — the devil is out here like a roaring lion.
'Jesus is going to come back soon. As born-again believers if we're not prepared or ready for his return we won't be able to inherit the kingdom of god.'
The 30-year-old has hosted a series of controversial church sermons in Sydney since his multimillion-dollar contract was torn up in April after sharing a post on Instagram stating homosexuals were going to hell.
In early June Folau took aim at transgender children while delivering his sermon.
Folau has been battling with Rugby Australia, claiming his sacking was illegal and demanding $10million in damages.
