David Pocock dismisses Israel Folau's captaincy claims

Wallabies great David Pocock has dismissed former teammate Israel Folau's suggestion he might have been the captain of the Australian team.

Folau is locked in combat with Rugby Australia over his sacking due to anti-gay comments he made on social media.

He's increased his compensation claims from AU$10 million to AU$14 million, saying he could have captained his country which would have given him extra payments.

But Pocock says Folau leading the team was highly unlikely.

"I think Michael Hooper has been doing a great job and he's contracted to the next World Cup so I'm not sure where Izzy's getting that from," Pocock said on Fox Sports News on Friday.

The 31-year-old also said he was disappointed in Folau's conduct and criticised him for his views against gay people.

"My view has been that sport is at its best when it's challenging society to be more inclusive," he said.

"I think we can play such an important role in trying to instil values of fairness and inclusivity in kids coming through.

"I found it incredibly disappointing the way he's used his platform around this."

Former Wallabies player Peter FitzSimons has also labelled Folau's captaincy claim "absolutely absurd".

"Michael Cheika, who was the Wallabies coach, of course, he moved through seven vice-captains," FitzSimons told TVNZ.

"Now, if Michael Cheika had seven vice-captains and Israel Folau wasn't one of them, I think by definition he was a very unlikely man to be captain."