Silver Ferns great Maria Folau to play in Australian like Izzy Folau
SPECULATION is rife one of New Zealand’s greatest shooters will be targeted to replace an Australian legend at the Giants for the next Super Netball season.
Women's sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Women's sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Honey Bill gets her shot with Dragons
- Giant loss of players in Super Netball
- Flames recruit cracks Opals after long wait
SPECULATION is rife one of New Zealand’s greatest shooters Maria Folau will be targeted to replace retired Australian star Susan Pettitt at the Giants for the next Super Netball season.
Experienced Silver Fern Folau’s name has been linked to Sydney netball clubs in the past with husband Israel playing rugby at the Waratahs and Folau confirming a permanent move to the Harbour City last week.
The Giants, minor premiers in 2018 but unable to advance past the preliminary final, have lost long-serving Australian shooter Pettitt to retirement with an experienced replacement needed to fill this gap.
BIG CHANGES: Old faces, new legs in Silver Ferns
WOMEN’S NRL: Young gun ruling new code
Fellow Sydney side, the Swifts, have already signed and revealed two shooting imports - Helen Housby and Sam Wallace - for the 2019 Super Netball.
NSW or Queensland teams appear the most comfortable options for Folau who also has family living north of the border and been granted a dispensation to play in Australia, not New Zealand, ahead of next year’s World Cup in the UK.
While the Giants have so far stayed mum on their team makeup for next season, the competition free market starts on Monday with Folau’s expected to be a highly sought after signature by a number of teams.
INTERNET LESSON: How this young Dragon learned her rules
WOMEN’S NRL: Game a big hit for this Dragons teenager
This could also include Sunshine Coast Lightning, the team currently being coached by Noeline Taurua, the hot favourite to be named the new Silver Ferns boss in upcoming days.
Prior to the season decider on Sunday, teams were only able to negotiate and re-sign players currently on their own rosters.
Folau has been living in Sydney with her husband and confirmed her availability to play in Australia last week when she left her New Zealand club, Northern Mystics.
“This has been one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make, I consider the Northern Mystics my netball family and this club will always hold a special place in my heart, but I feel the time is right for me to make a full time move to my new home in Sydney,” she said.
“My life and my family are now based outside of New Zealand, so my support networks have also shifted across the Tasman.”
While Netball New Zealand has a tough line policy baring any player competing in the Australian netball competition over their own from playing with the Silver Ferns, Folau has a dispensation.