Netball NZ deny sponsorship fall-out following Maria Tutaia's spat with Woman's Day

Silver Fern Maria Tutaia announced her engagement to Wallabies star Israel Folau via social media. Photo/instagram

Netball New Zealand denies there's been any fall-out with Woman's Day following Silver Fern star Maria Tutaia's refusal to walk the red carpet at an end of season awards function last week.

The magazine sponsored the red carpet event for the second year running, but Tutaia - arguably the game's biggest star - was notably absent from the pre-awards show.

Her refusal to be involved appeared to be in retaliation to an article that had run in the Woman's Day that week about the star shooter's engagement to Australian rugby star Israel Folau.

Tutaia hit out at the magazine on social media, claiming it had "specifically been told in writing" that the pair wanted to keep things private. She said it "chose to make up a story" using old photos and "guesses".

Tutaia, who was one of six 'centurion' players honoured at the last week's awards, made a point of arriving at the event once the cameras had left and guests had been seated for dinner.

There was speculation the move had prompted threats Woman's Day would withdraw its support of the awards. The magazine also sponsors the People's Choice award, which was won for the second straight year by Kayla Cullen.

Woman's Day editor Sido Kitchin said rumours the magazine had threatened to pull sponsorship were "incorrect" and discussions about its involvement in future awards evenings were yet to take place.

Netball New Zealand also denied there had been any fall-out from the incident.