Wallabies playmaker Israel Folau could be refused entry to New Zealand due to homophobic comments he made on social media.

Australian rugby superstar Israel Folau could be banned from entering New Zealand for his "bigotry against homosexuals", a former immigration minister says.

The 29-year-old Wallabies fullback is facing intense criticism for a homophobic comment he made on social media platform Instagram.

When a user asked him: "What was gods (sic) plan for gay people", Folau responded: "HELL... unless they repent of their sins and turn to god".

MARK METCALFE/GETTY Israel Folau is in hot water over a comment he made on social media about gay people.

Former immigration minister Tuariki Delamere, who now works as an immigration lawyer, said under New Zealand law border control officers should refuse Folau entry.

READ MORE: Israel Folau presents Rugby Australia with one hell of a dilemma

Under the Immigration Act any person who the immigration minister has reason to believe is, or is likely to be, a threat or risk to public order, or the public interest is not eligible for a visa or permission to enter New Zealand.

STUFF Former immigration minister Tuariki Delamere, pictured here in 2007, says Israel Folau should be refused entry to New Zealand.

"There can be no doubt that he (Folau) is a threat to the public interest and a threat to the public order," Delamere said.

Barring Folau from entering however, would be complicated because Australian passport holders are New Zealand residents the moment they enter New Zealand, he said.

"And the law says residents must be admitted to New Zealand."

This posed the question of whether Folau was a non-resident until he cleared border control or whether he should he be prevented from boarding the plane in Australia, he said.

Delamere was immigration minister from 1996 to 1999 under a Jenny Shipley-led National government.

Folau is married to New Zealand netball player Maria Tutaia.

He would probably need to visit New Zealand this year as part of his Super Rugby and international rugby commitments.

Requests for comment have been made to Folau's manager Isaac Moses.

In 2014 rap group Odd Future was refused entry to New Zealand because it was deemed "a potential threat to public order and the public interest".

In 2015 musician Chris Brown cancelled his tour to Australia and New Zealand after then immigration minister Michael Woodhouse said Brown would need a "special direction" waiver to enter the country.

Brown was convicted in 2009 of assaulting and threatening to kill his then-girlfriend, pop star Rihanna. He was sentenced to five years of probation.

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