WALLABIES superstar Israel Folau has sparked a Twitter backlash by revealing he will not support the push for same-sex marriage.

Folau tweeted on Wednesday afternoon: “I love and respect all people for who they are and their opinions. but personally, I will not support gay marriage.”

He was immediately inundated with dozens of replies criticising him for his stance.

Folau is believed to be the first high-profile sportsperson to have publicly announced their opposition to same-sex marriage.

It comes after numerous sporting organisations — including the Australian Rugby Union, the NRL, Cricket Australia and Football Federation Australia — declared their support for a ‘yes’ vote in the government’s postal survey.

The 28-year-old is a devout Christian who was raised as a Mormon, converting to the ‘Assemblies of God’ fellowship with his family in 2011.

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I love and respect all people for who they are and their opinions. but personally, I will not support gay marriage.✌❤🙏 — Israel Folau (@IzzyFolau) September 13, 2017

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Folau credits his relationship with God as one of the reasons for his athletic prowess and his success in the NRL, AFL and rugby union.

His views are in stark contrast to Wallabies teammate David Pocock, who has taken the year off rugby in Australia but will be back in the Test ranks alongside Folau next year.

A passionate campaigner for a variety of social issues including homophobia and marriage equality, Pocock famously declared four years ago that he would not tie the knot with his partner Emma Palandri until gay people were legally permitted to do the same.

Pocock did not refer to Folau directly but weighed in on the debate with two tweets on Wednesday.

When my survey arrives I’ll #VoteYes for justice and love. #MarriageEquality — David Pocock (@pocockdavid) September 13, 2017

In the words of one of my heroes, “my humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together.” #VoteYes #MarriageEquality pic.twitter.com/VPwuglbhl2 — David Pocock (@pocockdavid) September 13, 2017

David Pocock and his partner Emma Palandri will not wed until gay couples can do the same. Source: ABC

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika and captain Michael Hooper also met with politicians in Canberra earlier this week to show their support for same-sex marriage, with the team currently stationed in the nation’s capital ahead of Saturday’s Test match against Argentina at GIO Stadium.

Folau’s tweet didn’t only draw criticism, however, and has attracted more than 300 retweets and 1000 likes within three hours of it being posted on Twitter.

Sad to hear you state this mate. Human rights aren't an opinion. — Mark Gottlieb (@MarkGottliebFOX) September 13, 2017

I respect the belief but why would you feel the need to actively state it? Could just keep it to yourself. — Bundo (@billyography) September 13, 2017

Best eliminate the heart emoji then, dude. — Todd Baker (@subastral) September 13, 2017

Do you love and respect equality? Don't be ❤️❤️ when you're saying you don't "love and respect" equality. — Robin Braithwaite (@RLBraithwaite) September 13, 2017

By stats at least a couple of your teammates will be gay so great job standing up for their rights — matt (@Spark_Matt) September 13, 2017

He's entitled to his opinion like we all are.

Got an issue? Vote "yes."



Good on him for speaking his mind. — Fressty🃏💀 (@Dudeskki) September 13, 2017