‘I’m close to the end’: Wife’s huge call amid Israel Folau controversy
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With Israel Folau’s rugby career in tatters, wife Maria has hinted that her netball career is coming to an end as well.
Maria is almost certain to be named in the Silver Ferns’ squad for the upcoming World Cup on Thursday, but it might be the last time she pulls on the black dress.
The 32-year-old recently revealed that she’s nearing the end of her career, suggesting the World Cup could be her swansong.
“Let’s just say I’m very close to the end,” she said in an interview with Aussie great Catherine Cox on Channel Nine.
Maria and Israel Folau in 2018. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)
“It’s only been in the last couple of years where I’ve realised netball isn’t everything.
“Netball is a huge part of my life, but there’s other things in my life that have come into place that really need to take forward stead.”
Maria moved from New Zealand to play with the Adelaide Thunderbirds at the start of this season in order to be closer to Israel.
“It was hard because it’s a franchise that I hold very dear to my heart,” she said of her former Northern Mystics club.
“I’ve played for them for eight years now and before that we were called the Auckland Diamonds.”
Maria Folau in action for Adelaide. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
‘No issue’
Israel’s four-year, $4 million contract was torn up on Friday in the wake of him posting a biblical quote which said homosexuals would go to hell unless they repented.
It was the second time Folau had sparked controversy through his social media accounts, also reprimanded for a similar post in 2018.
Maria has remained silent since Israel’s latest post, but publicly came out in support of her husband when he first sparked controversy last year.
“Stand with God no matter what … Don’t be afraid to stand up for the truth, even if that means you will be standing alone,” she wrote on Instagram.
“我接近尾声”：妻子在以色列Folau争议中的巨大召唤
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由于以色列Folau的橄榄球生涯岌岌可危，妻子Maria暗示她的无板篮球生涯也即将结束。