Israel Folau launches stunning new $14 million legal claim

Israel Folau is not backing down in his protracted legal dispute with Rugby Australia.

In fact, the dumped former Wallabies star is upping the ante - to the tune of $14 million.

The staunch Christian is suing RA and the NSW Waratahs for unlawful dismissal, claiming his firing earlier this year over the social media messages was because of his religion.

He was originally seeking $10 million in compensation.

However, the Daily Telegraph reports that Folau is now seeking an extra $4 million dollars after arguing that he could have been captain of the Wallabies.

Folau lodged an updated statement of claim in the Federal Court, which includes the staggering sums of money the controversial star claims he's being denied.

The 30-year-old says his contract termination is costing him $4.2 million dollars between 2019-2022.

Folau missed out on the Wallabies' World Cup campaign, as well as the sponsorship opportunities that come with it.

The controversial star also claims he could have made $1.5 million a season overseas when his RA deal runs out.

Rounding out the controversial star's $14 million justification is money from match payments and the added revenue he could have made if appointed Wallabies captain.

Folau, a devout Christian, had his $4 million contract terminated by Rugby Australia in April for a "high-level breach" after he posted "hell awaits drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists and idolaters" on Instagram.

Rugby Australia and Folau failed to reach a settlement in June over the full-back's sacking and an unfair dismissal case began in court in August.

The former Waratahs back had been previously warned over his online posts in 2018.

Folau’s bushfire comments spark outrage

Folau was widely condemned earlier this month after linking Australia's devastating bushfires with legalising same-sex marriage.

Among those to express their outrage over his comments were Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who labelled them "appallingly insensitive" and opposition leader Anthony Albanese, who branded him "reprehensible".

During a 10-minute sermon, Folau said the timing of the bushfire crisis was no coincidence, but rather a taste of God's judgment.

"I've been looking around at the events that's been happening in Australia, this past couple of weeks, with all the natural disasters, the bushfires and the droughts," he said.

Folau then linked a Bible passage to the twin disasters of bushfire and drought and, in turn, the legalising of same-sex marriage and abortion.

"The events that have happened here in Australia, in the last couple of years - God's word says for a man and a woman to be together ... they've come and changed this law," he said.

"Abortion, it's okay now to murder, kill infants, unborn children."

Folau's controversial view even drew a rebuke from radio personality Alan Jones, who has been one of his most public supporters throughout the legal battle with Rugby Australia.

“Israel is a lovely human being, I know him well. But, Israel, button up,” Jones said on his 2GB radio program.

“These comments don’t help.”

With AAP