Wallabies star Israel Folau nearly left Australian rugby to be with New Zealand-based fiancee Maria Tutaia

FINDING it difficult to cope with his fiancee living in New Zealand, Wallabies star Israel Folau considered a shock trans-Tasman move to the Auckland Blues.

ISRAEL Folau was ready to walk away from Australian rugby for love this year, but has resolved to maintain his long-distance relationship with fiancee Maria Tutaia after the Kiwi netball star was given a flexible contract.

The Wallabies ace, who lines up against the All Blacks in Saturday’s showdown against the All Blacks at ANZ Stadium, was so distraught by the trans-Tasman distance keeping him apart from Tutaia that his camp spoke to the Auckland Blues a few months ago about a shock move.

Tutaia, New Zealand’s biggest netball identity, was blocked from moving to Australia because 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 new 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.

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For the first time, Folau has opened up on the challenges the couple has faced maintaining their relationship in different countries and why he considered a move to New Zealand.

“I had a look at it, 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,” Folau said.

“And 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.

Maria Tutaia and Israel Folau announced their engagement on social media.

“I had to be fair. I’m now looking at a whole different view of how things should be, which is a new thing for me, but going forward that’s how it’s going to be, we’re going to be working together now.

“It was a challenging period, I had to think of the position my fiancee was in and figure out what’s best for the both of us, it’s not just about her or me.

“I had to juggle a few things but it’s all sorted now, I’m glad it’s all settled and we can move forward and knuckle down on the things that are important to us in our personal lives.”

Folau admires former Melbourne Storm teammate Cooper Cronk’s decision to quit the club to focus on his relationship with Fox Sports presenter Tara Rushton, and believes male athletes are becoming more willing to make sacrifices for their partners.

Tutaia and Folau are both at the top of their respective sports.

“My situation is pretty rare, my fiancee being a professional athlete as well, and it doesn’t help when they’re in another country,” Folau said.

“You see the situation with Cronk; it comes down to what’s important to that person.

“Most times making those decisions are more important than your actual job and playing sports. You’ve got to try to find a good balance that works both ways, you’ve got to think of your partner’s position, not only yourself.

“I’m really supportive of what’s going on with her career as well.”

Folau and Tutaia, who will marry later this year, regularly fly back and forth to see each other when they have time off from training and games, but it’s usually no more than one or two nights at a time.

“It’s pretty tough, you want to spend a lot of time with each other but the distance is a challenge,” Folau said.

“We understood that, right from the beginning when we started seeing each other.

“We try to make the most of the situation we’re in and be content with how it is, we know it’s not going to be forever so we just want to make the most of the position we’re in now, and when that time comes it will be really, really worth it.

Izzy blows a kiss at Wallabies training.

“I’m happy with that, so is she.

“It’s towards the end of her career so I want her to really finish off on the way she wants to go out.

“We’re both really busy people with our jobs obviously, but that’s the way it is but we’ve sorted that out and are really happy to move on.”

And Folau has rediscovered his best form in the Wallabies jersey, scoring six tries in three Tests in June to become the first man in Australia’s history to score multiple tries in three consecutive games.

The Wallabies are hoping Folau fires again against New Zealand as they seek to win back the Bledisloe for the first time since 2002, but Folau is not overly concerned with outcomes.

“There’s always going to be some type of challenge everyone goes through, but I feel really blessed in the position I’m in,” he said.

Folau must fire if Australia is any chance of knocking off the All Blacks. Picture: Brett Costello

“My faith in Christ is what keeps me stable in the midst of all the challenges I go through, there’s going to be good and bad days but I’m content knowing it’s the forefront of what I do, it gives me confidence knowing that if things go pear-shaped it’s OK, because I believe in a higher purpose and plan that things are always happening for a reason.

“It makes me happy, and I want to take that out onto the field and enjoy my football, it’s not about the result.

“I feel like I’m fulfilling the reason why I am here, that’s why I’m really happy.

“What I believe is that there is an eternal place we go to after this, so for me it’s about preparing myself and my soul and where that goes to.

“There were some family and their friends who passed away and it makes you think you want to prepare yourself as best you can.

“When that time comes you can’t control it, I believe all the things happening here [on Earth] are temporary, my faith in Christ is my cornerstone and my rock.”

Originally published as Wallabies star Israel Folau nearly left Australian rugby to be with New Zealand-based fiancee Maria Tutaia