The chairman of Rugby Australia says the game has suffered reputational damage from the Israel Folau affair, but had they not axed the player for his controversial social media posts it would have been worse.

Key points: Rugby union in Australia has made headlines for all the wrong reasons over the Israel Folau affair

Rugby union in Australia has made headlines for all the wrong reasons over the Israel Folau affair The Wallabies and Waratahs star had his contract torn up after breaching the code of conduct over his social media posts

The Wallabies and Waratahs star had his contract torn up after breaching the code of conduct over his social media posts Rugby Australia chairman Cameron Clyne acknowledges the saga has damaged the game, but denies players' religious beliefs are being silenced

Cameron Clyne has been criticised for being silent through the month-long ordeal but has spoken to The Ticket from the sports headquarters in Dublin where the game's powerbrokers are gathered for their 2019 world meeting.

"Yes, the game has suffered reputationally through this, but had we not dealt with this in a clear and decisive way the game would have suffered way more, there is no question of that," he said.

"We would have suffered tremendous backlash from a lot of people."

A code of conduct tribunal found Folau guilty of a high-level breach after social media posts saying "sinners" — including homosexuals — would go to hell unless they repented.

With his contract terminated, Folau decided against appealing against the decision through the tribunal but says he was taking legal advice on whether to take Rugby Australia to court.

When Clyne was asked to describe the impact the saga has had on the game in Australia, he said: "It's still too difficult to tell."

"But I think one of the pleasing things is the reaction we've had from other sports in Australia and overseas … they've all recognised it's been a very difficult issue but they've all been incredibly supportive because they understand the sorts of challenges we've been grappling with."

Critics have suggested the career-ending penalty is over-reach. Clyne dismissed that view.

"If they can point out an organisation where posting this would be acceptable we'd be interested to hear [from them] and also a sponsor that'd be happy to be associated with that," he said.

RA chairman Cameron Clyne says other sports in Australia and overseas have been supportive of their decision. ( AAP: Chris Pavlich )

"The reality is that the overwhelming number of companies and the overwhelming number of sponsors would not want to be associated with a post that generated harm."

When asked to determine how much of the decision to terminate the playing contract was commercial, and how much of it was moral, Clyne said "the game doesn't exist without sponsors".

"The overwhelming response we hear around the world is that organisations want to be involved with sports that are inclusive … I think you have to take a stand."

RA denies players being silenced over beliefs

There have been reports that some players of Pasifika heritage, and others who share strong religious beliefs inside the Wallabies playing group, feel as though they are being silenced.

Taniela Tupou (R) is one of a number of Wallabies with Pasifika heritage to speak out about their beliefs. ( AAP: Darren England )

"I don't really want to comment on what's going on inside the Wallaby camp … but we've made it very clear to the players they are not being silenced, they are absolutely free to express their views on their faith and other matters, but the threshold is those views, or views on any matter, cannot cause offense," Clyne said.

Rugby Australia's chief executive officer, Raelene Castle, suggested she had heard from many, "even hundreds" of concerned people, including parents of children struggling with their sexuality, who took offense from Folau's recent posts.

The Australian Christian Lobby has started a petition of support for Folau, claiming his religious freedom is under threat. By Friday afternoon it had almost 48,000 signatures.

Clyne was asked how many supporters he had heard from who believed Folau should still be able to play the game.

"Oh look, I don't have those stats. I mean, I would say I also received hundreds of comments from people who'd indicated they received harm, but I go back to this point, I understand that people may feel the player has been dealt with harshly," he said.

"I take a lot of notice of people and athletes who've come out, and others who've come out publicly, and spoken about the fact that they have experienced real harm from this.

"And I've not had any company come to me and indicate they have an employment contract that would actually have allowed this to occur, nor has any sponsor come to me to say they would be happy to be associated with a game that would permit these comments.

"So, I do accept that some people are not happy that this is the case but … in almost every company in Australia he would have been dealt with in the same way."

With the strong possibility of a court case challenging the termination, the Rugby Australia chairman said the board remained "unified" and "confident we have taken the right action".

"It would not be something that would be helpful to the game, but it's a situation we'd have to deal with when it came," Clyne said.

"Obviously we hope it doesn't come to that, but we'll deal with that as it emerges."