Israel Folau is facing serious online backlash for this tweet

Australian rugby star Israel Folau‏ says he does not support gay marriage.

He tweeted his comments as Aussies begin receiving their postal ballots on legalising gay marriage.

Folau, a devout Christian, wrote "I love and respect all people for who they are and their opinions. but personally, I will not support gay marriage."

The ARU have joined the NRL and Cricket Australia in supporting the 'yes' campaign, changing their social media logo to a rainbow Wallaby.

Folau's stance appears to be at direct odds to comments from Wallabies captain Michael Hooper.

"For a lot of guys, they're about footy and our job is rugby, but sport has ability to cross boundaries," Hooper told The Canberra Times.

"We're all very supportive of the 'yes' campaign and this is the approach we've taken."

Alternatively, Folau has been praised by some people for showing "bravery" for his post:

Unlike New Zealand, the United States and Canada, Australia stands out as a developed, English-speaking country that has not legalised same-sex marriage.

More than 16 million registered voters among Australia's population of 24 million will receive ballots in the coming days requesting their opinion on whether same-sex couples should be allowed to wed

• This article was first published on nzherald.co.nz and is republished here with permission.