Folau nearly quit rugby for love
ISRAEL Folau was ready to walk away from Australian rugby for love this year.
The Wallabies ace, who lines up against the All Blacks today at ANZ Stadium, was so distraught about the transTasman relationship with fiancee Maria Tutaia that his camp spoke to the Auckland Blues about a shock move.
Tutaia, New Zealand’s biggest netball star, was blocked from moving to Australia be- cause it would’ve made her ineligible for the Silver Ferns and her goal to play at the next World Cup in July 2019, after which she plans to retire.
But Tutaia was able to sign a pioneering contract that will allow her to travel to Australia to see Folau once or twice a month, as well as having an extended break next year to spend up to six months with him.
For the first time, Folau has revealed why he considered the move to New Zealand.
“I had a look at it,” Folau said.
“In the end it wasn’t really going to work out, but I wanted to explore the option of doing it for the sake of our relationship.
“She understands that. She knows the best thing for both of us is for me to be here now.
“And she doesn’t have long in her career so I really want her to go out and finish in the way she wanted to.
“I had to juggle a few things but it’s all sorted now.”