‘Team Tonga’s’ New Recruit: Israel Folau Joins the Waratahs Revolution
by Brendan Bradford -
From scoring Superman-like tries in State of Origin deciders to transforming his body shape and taking up AFL, Israel Folau has been breaking records, amazing crowds and doing the impossible ever since he burst onto the rugby league scene as a freakishly talented 17-year old five years ago. His conversion to rugby this week is a coup for the sport in Sydney and the NSW Waratahs will surely benefit from his power, professionalism and ability to find the try-line.
In the opening round of the NRL in 2007, Folau became the youngest player to play for the Melbourne Storm, marking the occasion with a match-winning try against the Wests Tigers. He was the only Storm player to appear in every match that year and by the end of the season was equal top try-scorer in the NRL with 21, voted Dally M 'Rookie of the Year' and at 18-years