Israel Folau's Rugby Australia hearing to continue on Sunday

Wallabies full-back posted image on Instagram last month saying "hell awaits" for "homosexuals", as well as a tweet opposing gender recognition legislation

Israel Folau's hearing with Rugby Australia over discriminatory social media posts will continue on Sunday, with a decision unlikely to be announced this weekend.

The New South Wales Waratahs full-back attended the first day of the code of conduct hearing on Saturday at RA headquarters to determine whether his contract with the Wallabies should be terminated.

Folau, a fundamentalist Christian, is fighting to save his international career after posting on Instagram in April that "hell awaits" for "drunks, homosexuals, adulterers", along with other 'sinners'.

The 30-year-old is facing a three-person code of conduct panel, chaired by Sydney lawyer John West. The panel also includes RA representative Kate Eastman and Rugby Union Players Association representative John Boultbee.

Image: Israel Folau attended the hearing on Saturday at Rugby Australia headquarters

RA served a breach notice to Folau last month that said his social media post had "disrespected" people on the basis of their sexuality.

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The governing body will argue that the 73-test fullback's commentary is a form of vilification, at odds with its inclusion policy and a 2014 pledge to remove homophobia and other forms of discrimination from the game.

RA will also argue that Folau is a repeat offender, having caused similar controversy with a social media post last year that said gay people would go to "hell" unless they repent.

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Yet despite being hauled before RA and Waratahs' executives for "discussions" about the post last year, Folau was given no sanction.

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