'Everyone is equal': Former teammate weighs in on Israel Folau saga

A former teammate of Israel Folau has offered his own "spiritual" take on the controversy surrounding the sacked rugby star.

Reality TV star Nick Cummins, who played rugby alongside Folau for Australia, revealed in a magazine interview what his thoughts were on the drama that has captured the nation's attention.

In an exclusive interview with Stellar magazine, the Bachelor star applauded his former teammate for sticking to his convictions in the face of adversity.

However, the 'Honey Badger' says humans are created equal and freedom of speech shouldn't impinge on that ideal.

“I commend (Folau) for his courage, for having an opinion in these times. I think it’s something we deserve, the right to (one’s) own opinion,” Cummins said.

“But I also have a spiritual part to me that’s like, ‘Hang on a second, everyone is equal.’”

The dispute between Cummins' former employer Rugby Australia and Folau is destined for court after the parties failed to reach an agreement over the former Wallaby's sacking.

Representatives from both parties met at the Fair Work Commission on Friday for a mediation hearing as part of Folau's unfair dismissal case.

"We are disappointed that we were unable to reach settlement with Rugby Australia today," Folau's lawyer George Haros told reporters in Sydney.

"It appears as though that unless things change, we'll be heading to court."

RA and NSW Rugby Union also said they were disappointed with the outcome.

"We remain confident in our processes and will continue to do what is required to defend the values that underpin our game," RA said in a statement.

Folau had hoped RA would apologise for terminating his multi-million dollar contract over a social media post in April condemned as homophobic.

The 30-year-old's post paraphrased a Bible passage saying "drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists and idolaters" would go to hell unless they repented.

The committed Christian argues he was unfairly dismissed on religious grounds, and is seeking $10 million in damages from RA and wants his contract reinstated.

An online fundraiser supported by the Australian Christian Lobby this week raised about $2.2 million to fund his legal battle.

FitzSimons lashes ‘unbelievable’ Folau request

Peter FitzSimons has unleashed a stunning tirade against Folau, describing his demand for an apology as ‘unbelievable’.

“Last year you put up a post that caused rugby to bleed for three weeks,” FitzSimons said on Channel 9’s Sports Sunday program.

“It was a disaster. Despite that, rugby signed you up for four by a million dollars for four years.

“Here we are in April this year, you put up just about the same post.

“You know, and you’ve acknowledged this, that at the moment you press send you will put rugby, your teammates, your teams, through exactly the same agony as last year.

“What happened? We’ve been engulfed by two months of this nonsense, this disaster...and you think rugby owes you an apology?

“In the words of the late Peter Frilingos, ‘that’ll do me’.”

FitzSimons wasn’t done there, tearing into Folau’s highly publicised interview with Jones soon after.

“As for the Alan Jones interview, give me a break,” he said.

“That was no interview, that was a defence attorney leading his client through the whole thing...it was ridiculous.”

With agencies