John Folau leaves the Waratahs following Israel's exit
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Israel Folau's younger brother has quit the Waratahs, on the same day as Israel Folau's lawyers lodged an unfair dismissal claim against Rugby Australia.
On Thursday, Waratahs' coach Daryl Gibson said 24-year-old John Folau had been grappling with "divided loyalties", before being granted a release.
"We gave John some time off for leave, and he has come back to us recently and asked for a release, which we're happy to grant," Gibson said.
"John has been in a difficult position for the last wee while. He has got really divided loyalties to his family and his brother, and then also to the team.
"He wanted to stress how much he enjoyed being with the team and what a difficult decision it was for him."
"No Australian of any faith should be fired for practising their religion" - Folau launches legal proceedings https://t.co/FUJ0gRLdUH
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) June 6, 2019
The former Parramatta NRL player did not feature for the Waratahs despite being named on the bench against the Sunwolves earlier this season.
Gibson said he was not sure whether John Folau would ever play rugby again.
"We can all understand the loyalty he has to his family and to his brother, and totally respect that position," Gibson said, while declining to speculate on whether or not John's decision to walk away from rugby was an act of solidarity with Israel.
