Maria Folau exits Super Netball league after rejecting Adelaide Thunderbirds deal
New Zealand sharpshooter Maria Folau won't play in the looming Super Netball season after rejecting offers to return to the Adelaide Thunderbirds.
Folau, the wife of axed Wallabies star Israel Folau, won the Thunderbirds' best-and-fairest award for 2019 but won't return to the Adelaide club or any Super Netball rival.
The 32-year-old Folau's season in Adelaide was marred by the furore surrounding her husband's religious social media posts.
Maria Folau in action for the Adelaide Thunderbirds. She has rejected a new deal. Getty
Israel Folau's contract with Rugby Australia was terminated after his posts. He is now embroiled in an unfair dismissal case against rugby's governing body and it seems unlikely that he will be able to resume a professional sporting career in Australia, with the NRL also ruling out a return to rugby league.
Maria Folau was drawn into the controversy in June when, on her social media accounts, she shared Israel's crowd-funding campaign for his legal fight. The campaign was later shutdown.
Australian netball hierarchy investigated Maria's actions but ruled she didn't breach any of the competition's rules.
Maria Folau playing for New Zealand in the Constellation Cup Test against Australia. Getty
Adelaide were keen to re-sign Folau but the Kiwi veteran rejected overtures to return.
The Thunderbirds have signed South Africa's first-choice goalshooter Lenize Potgieter as a replacement.
"(Potgieter) is athlete who has excelled on the international stage and will be looking to stamp her mark on the competition," Thunderbirds coach Tania Obst said in a statement on Tuesday.
The contracting period for all Super Netball clubs ended on Monday.
Maria and Israel Folau. Instagram
