All Blacks coach Steve Hansen says Israel Folau's firing by Rugby Australia will be a major loss for the Wallabies ahead of the Rugby World Cup.
Hansen told media today in Auckland that Folau's termination will definitely dent the Wallabies' World Cup ambitions in Japan in September.
Hansen said Folau was such a great player and it's disappointing for Australia that this whole thing has happened.
Folau has until 7pm today to appeal against the loss of his lucrative Rugby Australia contract after a three‑person panel found last Friday that his controversial social media posts warranted termination.
The 30‑year‑old last month defied RA warnings following a similar previous incident, posting a biblical quote which said "drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists and idolaters" would go to hell unless they repented.
[TVNZ]
