Silver Ferns coach Noeline Taurua is trying hard to look past the public furore surrounding her prized shooter, as she prepares for next month's Netball World Cup in England.
The NZ team have assembled for a build-up series against Fiji, an All Stars selection and the national men's team in Auckland this week.
But all attention is on Maria Folau, who has publicly supported husband Israel's attempt to use a crowd-funding website to finance his legal battle against Rugby Australia.
- Maria Folau's support of husband 'understandable'
- Australian Christian Lobby launching fundraising website for Folau
The former Wallabies star lost his multi-million dollar rugby contract for posting biblical references supporting homophobia on social media and saw his GoFundMe page closed down, after trying to raise AU$3 million for his case.
Last weekend, wife Maria reposted the GoFundMe page on her Instagram account, drawing fire from critics of her husband's campaign.
Silver Ferns sponsor ANZ has joined those critics. A spokesperson told stuff.co.nz that the bank did not support "the views of Silver Fern Maria Folau", but would continue to back the sport.
Netball New Zealand has also issued a statement, insisting Folau has not breached any policies, but this maelstrom is probably the last thing Taurua needed, as she prepares her team.
"My view, as head coach of the Silver Ferns, is about performance, leading the team and getting ready for the Netball World Cup," she told media on Tuesday.
"That's where my priority is at the moment, but I'm also mindful of the welfare and care and love of all the athletes, and ensuring they can do their job.
"Certainly, one of my philosophies has always been that happy people make happy players and you can never separate them - you've got to work both.
"Obviously, for Maria and her husband, there is a lot going on, but for us, as a team, there's also a lot going on, with regards to preparation for the World Cup."
Taurua pointed out that Folau had continued to play and perform to top form in the Australian Super Netball competition through her husband's turmoil.
"She's been tops over there and been very courageous," said Taurua. "She's still able to do her job.
"Those expectations still remain for her to represent New Zealand, to wear the fern and preparation for the worlds - that won't change for any individual."
Taurua insisted Folau's issues had not been a distraction to the team, which had only just come together. A team meeting on Tuesday afternoon would be the first opportunity for other players to weigh in on the situation.
"It will be an issue that we will have to work through, because of our team culture, ensuring that we do support each other, but also that we keep our priorities very clear.
"We target those areas that are priorities. and then we get out on the court and play. In the end, that's what we're here to do.
"We need to keep distractions as minimal as possible, but ensuring that our performance is our overall priority."
Taurua deflected questions about sponsor tensions, with business software provider MYOB joining ANZ in protesting Folau's stance.
"MYOB is strongly commited to values of diversity, tolerance and inclusion, and our organisation has clear policies on supporting diversity in the workplace," it says.
"We expect these values to be share and expressed by our partners, and have made Netball New Zealand aware of our position on this.
"We remain a proud partner of the Silver Ferns and support the work the team does in engaging communities across New Zealand."
Taurua said: "To be honest, I'm really lucky I'm only the head coach for this netball team and I'm really clear on what my roles and responsibilities are.
"[Netball NZ chief executive] Jennie Wyllie and others - the board, I'm assuming - will be answerable to sponsors.
"The powers that be will do their job and I'll do mine."
The Silver Ferns open their warm-up series against the All-Stars, made up of NZ players outside the national squad, on Wednesday night.
Newshub.
