'Used to be friends': Gay magazine's cheeky swipe at Israel Folau

The gay magazine Israel Folau appeared on the front cover for has taken a cheeky dig at the former Wallabies star before he arrived at the Fair Work Commission.

Folau began his trail against Rugby Union Australia on Friday as the first formal step in his unfair dismissal case.

But Australia’s longest running LGBTI media outlet, the Star Observer, couldn’t help reminding the cross-code footballer of his appearance in 2014.

Dubbing itself ‘Australia’s longest-running publication for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex communities’, the mag had Folau and fellow Wallaby Adam Ashley-Cooper on the cover in 2014 promoting the Bingham Cup – a non-professional, gay tournament.

Under the headline ‘big boys and their balls,’ the cover said Folau and Ashley-Cooper were “getting it on for the tournament.”

Back then, a spokesperson for the Bingham Cup said Folau was a “strong advocate for ending all forms of the discrimination in sport.”

‘Hey Israel Folau - remember when we used to be friends?” the magazine tweeted with the issue front cover.

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‘Very disappointed’: Folau

Folau and Rugby Australia failed to reach an agreement at the Fair Work Commission hearing in Sydney on Friday.

The dispute now appears destined for the Federal Court.

“Very, very disappointed by the outcome,” Folau told reporters in Sydney.

“I’d like to thank all those who have supported me throughout this time.

“I will continue to stand up for the freedoms of all Australians.”

Folau’s lawyer George Haros said they’re likely to pursue action in court.