Silver Ferns star Maria Tutaia.

Folau rejects $560,000 contract for time with fiancée

Wallabies fullback Israel Folau has rejected a short-term contract, understood to be worth A$500,000 (NZ$560,000), to play in Japan. Instead, opting to spend some much needed time with his fiancee, Silver Ferns star Maria Tutaia.

Folau, who earns more than A$1 million (NZ$1.1m) annually on his ARU contract, was set to join Japan's cashed up Panasonic Wild Knights team under former Wallabies coach Robbie Deans as part of a clause in his deal, according to the Daily Telegraph.