A fresh fundraising drive for sacked Australia fullback Israel Folau quickly hit the A$1 million ($696,100) mark in donations after it was launched by a Christian lobby on Tuesday.

Tom Banks has long been known for his blistering pace and the ACT Brumbies fullback is also showing a knack for timing as his strong run of form leaves him well placed to grab Israel Folau's vacant Wallabies jersey ahead of the Rugby World Cup in Japan.

Beating the Wellington Hurricanes in the Super Rugby semi-final is a pretty straight forward proposition, Canterbury Crusaders assistant coach Ronan O'Gara said on Tuesday.

A fresh fundraising drive for sacked Australia fullback Israel Folau raised over A$650,000 ($452,000) in donations on Tuesday, just hours after it was launched by a Christian lobby.

Jun 24 (OPTA) - Super League fixtures for this week Thursday, June 27 fixtures (GMT) Hull Kingston Rovers v Hull (17:45) Friday, June 28 fixtures (GMT) Wakefield v Huddersfield (17:45) Warrington v St Helens (17:45) Wigan v Salford (17:45) Sunday, June 30 fixtures (GMT) Leeds v Catalans (13:00) Castleford v London Broncos (13:30)

Jun 24 (OPTA) - Super Rugby fixtures for this week Friday, June 28 fixtures (GMT) Jaguares v Brumbies (22:05) Saturday, June 29 fixtures (GMT) Crusaders v Hurricanes (06:35)

Sacked Australia fullback Israel Folau's crowdfunding campaign to raise money to fight his termination has been shut down by the GoFundMe platform, with more than A$750,000 ($487,000) to be returned to thousands of donors.

One-test All Blacks centre Matt Proctor could make a timely return from injury for the Wellington Hurricanes in their Super Rugby semi-final against the Canterbury Crusaders on Saturday.

Italy assistant coach Mike Catt will join Ireland's coaching staff in a deal through to 2023 following this year's World Cup in Japan, the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) said on Sunday.

England winger Chris Ashton has withdrawn from their 29-man World Cup training squad for family reasons but will not be replaced, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) said on Sunday.