'Hoping for an apology': Israel Folau goes into battle with Rugby Australia

Israel Folau arrives ahead of his conciliation meeting with Rugby Australia at Fair Work Commission. Photo / Getty Images

A stonefaced Israel Folau walked into Sydney's Fair Work Commission this morning, ready to take the first step in his multimillion dollar legal battle against Rugby Australia.

The football star arrived in a taxi with his legal team minutes before his conciliation hearing was due to start, dressed in a black suit, buttondown shirt and red tie.

Forced to negotiate a heavy media scrum and with nowhere to park, the Wallabies full-back was forced to pull back as his taxi sped up William Street away from the entrance to the building.

After sitting in the taxi for a few minutes, Folau and his team left the vehicle and began the walk back down the hill. Naturally, they were immediately surrounded by cameras and reporters.

"I'm hoping for an apology. I'd be happy with that," Folau told journalists on his way to the entrance.

The sacked football star cracked a brief smile when a morning commuter told him he was praying for him.

"God goes with you brother," the man said, before walking away.

"Thanks mate," Folau replied, looking back and smiling.

Folau came through the building's front entry, stopping traffic as his taxi navigated Sydney's peak hour.

Rugby Australia CEO Raelene Castle decided to avoid reporters and enter quietly through the building's back entrance, parking beneath the Fair Work Commission.

News.com.au understands the building rostered on extra security guards today as a precaution for Folau's high profile conciliation meeting. Those guards refused reporters entry to the venue, perhaps allowing Folau to relax.

As the football star and his legal team piled into the building's lift, Folau turned and faced the cameras for a final time and let out a relieved laugh before the doors shut.

Level 14, where the meeting is taking place, is under such high security that it cannot be reached without a special pass.

He is expected to re-emerge from his conciliatory hearing shortly after 11am.

A curious bystander, questioning why a media scrum was sitting on a Sydney street, joked he could hire Folau if the fired football star was looking for a job.

Israel Folau arrives at the Fair Work Commission, the first step in his legal battle against Rugby Australia @newscomauHQ pic.twitter.com/NM5aMvqylN

— Natalie Wolfe (@natwolfe94) June 27, 2019

"I manage a cafe nearby, he can bring his resume into me if he wants to," he said.

The public debate over Folau's conduct and Rugby Australia's decision to terminate his contract has intensified over the past week after the sacked rugby player asked Australians to fund his case.

Now the venue for that argument is finally shifting from the media to the legal system.

Folau has lodged a claim of unfair dismissal with the Fair Work Commission, seeking $10 million in compensation. Half of that is to cover his lost salary, with the other half accounting for damages and lost earning opportunities, such as sponsorships.

He argues he was fired for expressing his religious beliefs. Rugby Australia says it tore up his contract for violating its code of conduct.