Israel Folau
Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Israel Folau |
| Height | 196 cm (6 ft 5 in) |
| Weight | 103 kg (16 st 3 lb) |
| Position | Centre / Wing |
Israel Folau (born 3 April 1989 in Minto, New South Wales) is an Australian professional rugby league player currently contracted with the Melbourne Storm in the National Rugby League. He has also represented Australia at international level and Queensland at state level.
Junior Career
Folau was born in the Sydney suburb of Minto, New South Wales [1] to parents of Tongan descent. Folau attended Westfield Sports High School in Sydney [2] before his family moved to Brisbane, where Folau attended Marsden State High School from which he was selected for the Queensland School Boys squad in the Australian Under-15 Championships. At the Australian championships Folau was spotted by a Melbourne Storm scout and was invited to play his junior rugby with the Storms previous Queensland Cup feeder club the Norths Devils. He won a premiership while playing with the Norths Devils and became the first player to represent Queensland Under-19's while still only 16 years of age. From playing with the Queensland School Boys & the Devils, in 2006 he was selected to play in the Australian Schoolboys squad that toured Wales, England and France. Alongside Folau in the tour were future 2007 NRL rookies in the likes of Brisbane Broncos David Taylor, West Tigers Chris Lawrence and Sydney Roosters Mitchell Pearce. Playing years above his age gave Melbourne the confidence to give Israel a run in first grade and at only 17 years old he made his debut in the National Rugby League.
Debut Season
Israel Folau's NRL debut came before Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy intended as he was named on the right wing in place of the injured Steve Turner. He started in the sides first match of the 2007 NRL season, against the Wests Tigers, and became the youngest player in the history of the club to play for the Storm. His first game was an indication of things to come as he scored the match-winning try to beat the Tigers 18-16. After such a solid performance in his opening game, and an injury free year, Folau went on to play in every match of the season, the only to do so for Melbourne in 2007. Playing superbly on the wing, coach Craig Bellamy brought Folau in to play in the centres from time to time, where he would receive more ball and have more opportunity to score points. After 26 rounds Folau finished the regular season with 21 tries and 5 goals for a total of 94 career points. His try tally (21) saw him the equal top-try scorer for 2007 alongside North Queensland Cowboys full-back Matt Bowen.[3]
In his rookie year Folau broke a number of club and NRL records, the most prestigious beating fellow team-mate Billy Slater's previous NRL record of most tries in a debut season (Slater scored 19 in 2003). Folau capped off a magnificent first season in the NRL by winning the 2007 Dally M Rookie of the Year Award and being a part of the successful 2007 Melbourne Storm premiership side, that only lost three matches all season.
In what was already a fairytale season for the young Folau, following an ankle injury to Brisbane Broncos center Justin Hodges, it was announced that Folau would replace him in the Australian Test Side to play New Zealand on October 14, 2007. On his international debut, Folau became the youngest ever player to represent Australia at 18 years and 194 days old, passing the previous record set by Brad Fittler (18 years and 247 days) in 1990. Folau then went on to score two tries in Australia's record breaking 58–0 defeat of New Zealand.[4]
Second Season
After Melbourne and New South Wales representative Matt King announced he would be leaving the Storm to play with the Warrington Wolves in the English Super League, Folau filled the void as the starting centre for Melbourne. After seven rounds of the 2008 season, Folau was named on the wing in the starting squad to represent Australia for the second time in the Centenary Australia vs. New Zealand test, contributing a try in the 28–12 win for the Kangaroos.
Brisbane Broncos
On 30 March 2008, Folau signed on with the Brisbane Broncos for the 2009 season. Folau's decision to leave the Melbourne Storm was influenced by his desire to live closer to his family in Brisbane.[5]
Future plans
Folau is a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.[6]
Honours
Individual
- 2007: Dally M Rookie of the Year
- 2007: Australian Young Performer of the Year (Fairfax Sports Performer Awards)[7]
- 2007: International Newcomer of the Year (RLIF Awards)
- 2007: All-time Youngest Australian International Player (18 years and 194 days)
Team
Representative
- 2007 - 2008: Australian Kangaroos Test Squad (2 Tests)
National Rugby League Records
- 2007: Most Tries in a Debut Season (21)
References
- ^ Inu: From Minto to millionaire | The Courier-Mail
- ^ Westfields Sports High School, Australia's First Sports High School
- ^ Melbourne Storm Player Profile: Israel Folau
- ^ Folau set to become youngest-ever Roo
- ^ "Folau to join Broncos". ABC News. 2008-03-31. Retrieved 2008-03-31.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Storm mates won't stop Israel if he wants to follow his faith: Geyer
- ^ Stand up and take a bow, Israel Folau