A major sponsor of Israel Folau has dropped out in the wake of the Wallabies star's controversial social media posts.

Key points: Sportswear company ASICS — which also sponsors the Wallabies — pulls out as a sponsor of embattled Israel Folau

Sportswear company ASICS — which also sponsors the Wallabies — pulls out as a sponsor of embattled Israel Folau Former Wallabies captain Nick Farr-Jones comes to Folau's defence, saying the player was never instructed properly on his social media posts

Former Wallabies captain Nick Farr-Jones comes to Folau's defence, saying the player was never instructed properly on his social media posts Alan Jones, who coached the Wallabies in the 1980s, urges Folau to keep fighting

Rugby Australia confirmed a verdict on Folau's "high-level breach" over his Instagram posts would not be handed down before next week.

Folau's Instagram post proclaimed hell awaits "drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists and idolaters", which saw a conduct breach notice levelled against the fullback, resulting in the hearing over his future.

But the controversy surrounding Folau has proved too much for sportswear company ASICS, which has severed sponsorship ties with the player.

"ASICS is dedicated to sport and its healthy contribution to society," the company said in a statement on its Facebook page.

"We believe sport is for everyone and we champion inclusivity and diversity.

"While Israel Folau is entitled to his personal views, some of those expressed in recent social media posts are not aligned with those of ASICS. As such, our partnership with Israel has become untenable and he will no longer represent ASICS as a brand ambassador."

ASICS is also a major sponsor of the Wallabies.

But former Wallabies captain Nick Farr-Jones has come to Folau's defence, saying he has changed his mind about the star player after meeting with him personally.

Folau was stood down following this controversial Instagram post. ( Supplied: @izzyfolau )

"When I first met with him … I was going to encourage him to say 'look, I apologise. I won't do it again and can I have another chance'," Farr-Jones said.

"He doesn't believe he's done anything wrong.

"I did originally [think he should apologise] had he been told don't do this again — don't mention the word hell, for example, awaits these various groups of people.

"But he's saying he was never instructed that way.

"He does it, I promise you, in a loving way, wanting to seek change in people. I know a lot of people don't get it."

Alan Jones urges Folau to keep fighting

Former Wallabies coach Alan Jones, who has also spoken to Folau, said on 2GB radio that the player should "take this fight every inch of the way".

Israel Folau has been urged to keep fighting by former Wallabies coach and talkback radio host Alan Jones. ( AAP: Dave Hunt )

"We sat down the other day and had a long yarn. In many ways it was very, very sad," Jones said.

"We were having a feed … and at one point he just threw his hands gently up in the air and he said 'Alan, I don't know what this is about. What am I supposed to have done here?'

"It will go to the highest court in the land if it has to … the battle has just begun."

Waratahs trying to get on with things without Folau

Folau's other team, the Waratahs, are having to continue their Super Rugby campaign without the fullback.

The Waratahs are currently in South Africa, where they will play the Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday night.

Coach Daryl Gibson, speaking via teleconference on Thursday, was asked if there was way back for Folau.

"It's really hard to deal with hypotheticals. At the moment it's a high-level breach. We can't focus too much on the what ifs, because we can't control those. We just have to focus on rugby.

"It's been difficult to let it not be a distraction. It's around us, it's a high news story, but that doesn't excuse our performances, which haven't been good enough."

Israel Folau's absence from this weekend's game against the Lions will mean he has missed four games for the struggling Waratahs. ( AAP: Lukas Coch )

Folau last played for the team in a 32-29 loss to the Blues in Auckland last month.

Since then the Waratahs have lost two of their three games.

"In a way it's galvanised the team, it's brought us together. The time away has been excellent. Now we are looking to deliver in our performance," Gibson said.

"We've been very open and transparent, we've tried to always keep our boys updated every step of the way with what's going on with our teammate.

"There's still a lot of love and care for Israel in our team.

"Our team has become a lot closer from it — we don't all have to agree on where we sit but we are joined with one common purpose — that's playing for the Waratahs."

Former Wallaby star Jeremy Paul told the ABC that Folau's "mistakes" were not as serious as those of other players.

"I'd love to see him play in the World Cup," he said.

"Sport is an avenue for people to go onto the field and make those mistakes better and become a hero again.

"The things he's done aren't as serious or heinous as what we have seen from other players.

"We've seen illicit drugs, assaults, alcohol, performance-enhancing drugs, players in precarious positions bringing really poor aspects to the game."