Israel Folau has been given an open invitation to attend one of the Melbourne Chargers' training sessions.

Rugby Australia (RA) has been criticised for its handling of the Israel Folau controversy by gay world club rugby champions the Melbourne Chargers.

The issue continues to make waves after RA opted not to sanction their superstar player for his comment on social media that gay people would go to hell unless they repent their "sins".

Chargers president Xavier Goldie has sent an open invitation for devout Christian Folau to attend one of their training sessions in the hope he could understand why his comments were so hurtful to the gay community.

"In the past, Rugby Australia has been a leader on standing up for diversity and inclusion in the sport, including gay people," Goldie said.

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"We are disappointed they didn't take action in response to Folau's harmful comments.

"Penalising him wasn't their only option, they also could have asked him to meet with gay rugby players to hear why his comments are so incredibly harmful."

The Chargers won the Bingham Cup, the biggest rugby tournament in the world in terms of participation, in 2016.

DANIEL POCKETT/GETTY A Melbourne Chargers player makes a tackle during a Purchas Cup game against the Sydney Convicts last year.

The club's plea to RA and Folau come on top of rugby's highest-profile referee Nigel Owens urging the former NRL star and AFL player to judge him on his character rather than his sexuality.

The Welshman, who has been in charge of more than 150 internationals, came out publicly in 2007 after attempting suicide at age 24, having struggled to come to terms with his sexuality.

The now 46-year-old stresses that Folau is entitled to his beliefs but says his comments would have been deeply hurtful during his difficult time.

Meanwhile, one-test All Blacks halfback Brad Weber condemned Folau for his comment.

ANTHONY AU-YEUNG/GETTY IMAGES Welsh whistleblower Nigel Owens has urged Israel Folau to judge him on his character rather than his sexuality.

"My cousin and her partner, and my aunty and her partner are some of the most kind, caring and loving people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing," Weber tweeted on Wednesday.

"To think that I play against someone that says they'll go to Hell for being gay disgusts me."

But Folau has received another high-profile supporter in his Wallabies team-mate Allan Alaalatoa.

The Brumbies prop, who was promoted to Australia vice-captain last year, says Folau's dedication to his religion is something he can aspire to.

Alaalatoa has checked in with Folau to see how he is coping with the added scrutiny after his controversial anti-gay views.

Alaalatoa says his Super Rugby rival is entitled to his opinion that comes with practising Christianity and he had seen firsthand how dedicated Folau was to his faith.

"I'm still trying to build that relationship there [with God]," Alaalatoa said on Wednesday.

"I was lucky enough to have a few times with him in the Wallaby camp to see what's he about and mainly to see his beliefs as a Christian man," Alaalatoa said.

"It's something for myself to look up to and hopefully at one stage in my life I could probably build towards.

Folau revealed in a Players' Voice column on Monday that he offered to walk away from the game in the wake of the controversy.

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