Parting is such sweet sorrow for this long-distance couple!
We spotted Maria Tutaia and her rugby star beau Israel Folau looking very loved-up as she dropped him off at Auckland Airport, after the pair spent some precious time together on this side of the Tasman.
While the pair have since happily reunited in Fiji for a cosy couple’s getaway, they definitely lingered over their goodbyes earlier this month as the Northern Mystics netball pro said a temporary goodbye to her Sydney-born boyfriend.
See more photos of the couple in our gallery
Parting is such sweet sorrow for long-distance lovebirds Maria Tutaia and Israel Folau!
We spotted the Northern Mystics netball pro, 29, and the New South Wales Waratahs rugby star, 27, looking very loved-up as she dropped him off at Auckland Airport.
With their long-distance relationship making every moment spent together even more precious, it’s no wonder the couple lingered at the airport before saying a fond farewell.
“Maria didn’t just dump him at the door like many people do,” one onlooker reported.
High-five! The duo share a laugh as they wait for Israel’s flight.
“They were making the most of their time together in the airport – smooching, cuddling, laughing and joking,” the onlooker says.
“They were very wrapped up in each other, although they were happy to pose for selfies when they got interrupted by fans,” our eyewitness reports.
The couple share a few last-minute smooches at the airport.
“He was very affectionate and when they weren’t looking at their phones, they only had eyes for each other,” the onlooker says.
When it was time for Israel to make his way through departures, the couple shared a last lingering hug.
Israel holds his gorgeous girlfriend close as he gets ready to board his flight.
Thankfully, the couple weren’t separated for long – just a few days ago, Maria took to Instagram to share snaps from their loved-up getaway to Fiji!
Escaping the winter blues here in New Zealand, the couple jetted off for some sun in Fiji. Photo: Instagram
And who can blame them – check out that view!
