Israel Folau facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Israel Folau

Personal information
Full name	ʻIsileli Folau
Born	(1989-04-03) 3 April 1989 (age 36) Minto, New South Wales, Australia
Height	6 ft 4 in (1.94 m)
Weight	227 lb; 16 st 3 lb (103 kg)
Playing information
Rugby league
Position	Centre, Wing
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 2007–08 Melbourne Storm 52 36 5 0 154 2009–10 Brisbane Broncos 39 37 0 0 148 2020 Catalans Dragons 15 5 0 0 20 Total 106 78 5 0 322 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 2010 NRL All Stars 1 0 0 0 0 2008–10 Queensland 5 5 0 0 20 2007–09 Australia 8 6 0 0 24
Rugby union
Position	Fullback, Wing, Centre
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 2013–2019 New South Wales Waratahs 96 60 0 0 300 2021– Urayasu D-Rocks 20 16 0 0 80 Total 116 76 0 0 380 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 2013–2019 Australia 73 37 0 0 185 2022– Tonga 2 0 0 0 0
Australian rules football
Position	Utility
Club Years Team Pld G 2011–2012 Greater Western Sydney 13 2
As of 14 July 2023
Relatives	John Folau (brother)

Israel ‘Isileli Folau (born 3 April 1989) is a professional rugby player. He is known for playing both rugby league and rugby union. He currently plays as a fullback for the Japan Rugby League One club Urayasu D-Rocks. Israel was born in Australia but now plays for the Tonga national team. He can play for Tonga because his family comes from there.

Israel Folau started his professional sports journey in rugby league. He played for the Melbourne Storm in the National Rugby League (NRL) from 2007 to 2008. During his first year, he broke the record for scoring the most tries in a debut season. After that, he played for the Brisbane Broncos from 2009 to 2010. He played as a winger or centre. Folau also represented Queensland in the State of Origin and played for the Australian national team. He became the youngest player ever to play for both teams. In 2020, Folau played for the French rugby league team, the Catalans Dragons, in the Super League.

In 2011, Folau tried a different sport and joined the Greater Western Sydney Giants in the Australian Football League (AFL). He played for two seasons in AFL. In December 2012, he decided to switch sports again, this time to rugby union. He signed a contract with the Waratahs. He later became the player with the most tries scored in Super Rugby history after the 2019 season. For international rugby union, he first played for Australia in 2013 against the British & Irish Lions. He went on to play 73 games for Australia. In 2022, Folau changed which country he represented to play for Tonga. This was possible because of new rules from World Rugby.

Folau's contract with Rugby Australia was ended in 2019. This happened because of comments he made that were seen as breaking the player code of conduct. He later reached a private agreement with Rugby Australia.

Early Life and School Days

Israel Folau was born in Minto, Australia. His parents, Eni and Amelia, are from Tonga. He went to school at Lurnea Public School and Westfields Sports High School. In 2004, his family moved to Brisbane, Queensland, because his dad found work there.

In Brisbane, Folau went to Marsden State High School. While there, he was chosen for the Queensland Schoolboys team. He also played for the Australian Schoolboys team in 2006. Folau also played junior rugby league for the Goodna Eagles club.

A scout from the Melbourne Storm saw Folau play at the Australian championships. He was invited to play for the Storm's junior team, the Norths Devils. He won a championship with Norths. He also became the youngest player to represent Queensland Under-19's at just 16 years old. In 2006, Folau toured Wales, England, and France with the Australian Schoolboys squad. He was a strong player and was named the best back of the tournament. His talent at a young age made the Melbourne Storm confident in giving him a chance in the NRL.

Rugby League Career Highlights

Israel Folau leaving the field after warming up, 2008

Playing for Melbourne Storm

Israel Folau playing in 2008

First Year: 2007

Folau made his debut in the 2007 NRL season when he was only 17. He played his first game for the Storm against the Wests Tigers. He became the youngest player ever to play for the Storm. In that first game, he scored the winning try, helping Melbourne beat the Tigers 18–16. He played in every game that season, which was amazing for a new player.

He played very well on the wing, but his coach, Craig Bellamy, sometimes moved him to the centre position. This gave him more chances to get the ball and score points. By the end of the season, Folau had scored 21 tries and 5 goals, totaling 94 points. His 21 tries made him the top try-scorer for the 2007 regular season.

In his first year, Folau broke several club and NRL records. He broke his teammate Billy Slater's record for most tries in a debut season. Folau also won the 2007 Dally M Rookie of the Year Award. He was part of the successful 2007 Melbourne Storm team that won the premiership. However, this premiership was later taken away due to salary cap issues.

After an injury to a player from the Brisbane Broncos, Folau was chosen to play for the Australian national team against New Zealand. This was on 14 October 2007. At 18 years and 194 days old, Folau became the youngest player ever to play for Australia. He scored two tries in Australia's big 58–0 win over New Zealand.

Second Year: 2008

In 2008, Folau became the starting centre for Melbourne after Matt King left the Storm. After seven games, Folau was again chosen to play for Australia against New Zealand. He scored a try in Australia's 28–12 win.

Folau was then picked to play for the Queensland State of Origin Team for the first game of the 2008 Series. He made his debut for Queensland on 21 May 2008. He scored a try in the final minutes, but Queensland lost. Folau kept his spot for game two and scored another try, helping Queensland win and tie the series. In the final game, Folau scored two amazing tries and was named Man of the Match. Queensland won the series 16–10.

At the end of the 2008 season, Folau won the Dally M Centre of the Year award. He was part of the Melbourne Storm team that finished first in the regular season for the second year in a row. They played in the Grand Final again but lost to the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles. Folau decided to leave the Melbourne Storm at the end of 2008. He wanted to live closer to his family in Brisbane.

In October 2008, Folau was chosen to play for Australia in the 2008 Rugby League World Cup. He scored two tries in Australia's first game against New Zealand. He played in the World Cup Grand Final, but Australia lost to New Zealand. Folau received the Rugby League International Federation 2008 Rookie of the Year award.

Playing for Brisbane Broncos

Israel Folau playing for Australia in 2008

Folau was a big new player for the Broncos. Many key players and the coach, Wayne Bennett, had left the club.

2009 Season

Folau played his first game for the Brisbane Broncos in the first round of the 2009 season. He scored the team's first try in a close 19–18 win. The next week, he scored again against his old team, the Melbourne Storm. He jumped high to catch the ball and score the first try in the Broncos' 16–14 win. By Round 10, Folau was scoring a try almost every game. He scored four tries in one game against the Gold Coast Titans in May. This tied a club record for the most tries in a single game for the Broncos.

He was chosen to play for Australia in a special game against New Zealand in May 2009. He was also picked to play for Queensland in the 2009 State of Origin series. He played in the first two games, scoring a try in Game 2.

2010 Season

Even though he had signed to play AFL later that year, Folau was still chosen for all three Origin games in 2010. He continued to score tries, getting 17 tries in 16 games for the Brisbane Broncos. His rugby league career ended earlier than expected because the Broncos did not make the finals that year. Folau was also not chosen to play for Australia in a big tournament. He was also not allowed to play for Tonga in a warm-up match.

Catalans Dragons Experience

In January 2020, Folau signed a one-year deal to play rugby league for the Catalans Dragons in France. He played 15 games for the Dragons and scored five tries. After this, Folau left the team. He was planning to play for the Southport Tigers in Australia for a short time before going to Japan to play rugby union. However, the Queensland Rugby League (QRL) did not allow him to register to play.

Australian Rules Football Career

Israel Folau
Folau (left) in an AFL match against the Gold Coast Football Club at Manuka Oval during the 2012 season.
Personal information
Debut	24 March 2012, Greater Western Sydney v. Sydney, at ANZ Stadium
Position(s)	Centre half-forward / Utility

Time with Greater Western Sydney

Folau's contract with the Brisbane Broncos was ending in 2010. He was considering playing rugby union or Australian rules football. After offers from all three sports, Folau signed a deal with the new Australian Football League (AFL) team, the Greater Western Sydney Giants. The deal was reportedly worth a lot of money over four years.

2011 Season

Folau started his Australian rules football career playing for the Greater Western Sydney Giants in a league called the North East Australian Football League. At first, he played in defence and found it hard to make a big impact. But when his coach, Kevin Sheedy, moved him to the forward line, he started playing better. He even scored 4 goals in one game.

2012 Season

Folau made his official AFL debut in the Greater Western Sydney Giants' very first game in the competition. This was against the Sydney Swans in Round 1, 2012.

At the start of the season, Israel Folau was chosen as one of 10 players to be a Multicultural Ambassador for the AFL. The head of the AFL, Andrew Demetriou, said they were excited to have these players promote inclusion and diversity in the community.

Folau stopped playing AFL at the end of the 2012 season. Even though his time playing AFL on the field was not as successful as his rugby career, he is still given credit for helping to make the Giants team well-known in Western Sydney.

Rugby Union Career

Playing for New South Wales Waratahs

First Years: 2013–2014

Folau with the New South Wales Waratahs

Folau against the Sunwolves in 2019.

In December 2012, Folau announced he was switching sports again to rugby union. He joined the Sydney-based New South Wales Waratahs for the 2013 Super Rugby season. He also said he wanted to play for the Australian national rugby team. The coach of the Melbourne Rebels, Damien Hill, wondered how the Waratahs could afford Folau under the salary cap rules. Many players and coaches compared Folau's potential impact in rugby union to that of another famous player who switched from league to union, Sonny Bill Williams.

In early 2013, Folau said he was training as both a fullback and a wing for the Waratahs. He also said he was happy to get advice from Lote Tuqiri, who had also played both league and union. Folau scored two tries in a practice game against the Melbourne Rebels.

Folau's first Super Rugby game for New South Wales was against their rivals, the Queensland Reds, in February 2013. Folau scored his first try for the Waratahs in that game. The Waratahs lost the match 25–17. Folau's first home game was against the Melbourne Rebels. The Waratahs won that game 31–26.

By the end of his first season, Folau had played 14 out of 16 games for the Waratahs. He scored eight tries, which was tied for second-most in the season. However, the Waratahs did not make the finals that year. A month after the season, Folau was chosen for the Australian team to play against the British & Irish Lions.

Later Years: 2015–2016

In July 2015, Folau signed a deal to play for NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes in Japan. But he did not play for them because of an injury and because the team was moved to a lower division.

Folau has won the Rugby Australia John Eales Medal three times. This award is for the Wallabies' Player of the Year. He won it in 2014, 2015, and 2017.

Playing in Japan

2021–2022 Season

On 5 July 2021, it was reported that Folau had returned to rugby union to play for the Japanese club Shining Arcs Tokyo-Bay Urayasu. In his first game back, Folau scored two tries against Kobelco Kobe Steelers. The Shining Arcs won the game 24–23.

International Rugby Union Career

Playing for Australia

Folau made his first international appearance for Australia against the British & Irish Lions in 2013. He scored the first try of the game and scored twice in total in that match.

In a tour later in 2013, Folau scored his tenth try of the season against Wales. This tied the record set by Lote Tuqiri.

Folau is one of the top try-scorers for Australia in international rugby. Only Adam Ashley-Cooper, Chris Latham, and David Campese have scored more tries.

Playing for Tonga

In 2021, World Rugby changed the rules about players who had already played for one country. The new rule allowed players to play for a second country if they had not played for their first country for three years and met other requirements. Because of this rule change and his family background, Folau was allowed to play for Tonga starting in 2022.

Tonga's coach, Toutai Kefu, was very keen to have Folau play for Tonga. He said they would "welcome him with open arms." Folau also said he was excited to play for Tonga. The rule change meant that six or seven other players could also play for Tonga.

In 2022, it was thought that Folau would play for Tonga in the Pacific Nations Cup. On 27 May 2022, it was announced that Folau was chosen for the Tonga team. Other well-known players like Charles Piutau and Malakai Fekitoa were also selected.

Folau made his international debut for Tonga in the first game of the 2022 Pacific Nations Cup against Fiji. He had to leave the game after about half an hour because of a hamstring injury. Tonga lost the game 36–0.

Sponsorships and Personal Life

In 2009, Folau received sponsorships from Adidas and Powerade. In 2013, he was sponsored by Goodman Fielder.

His sponsorship deal with ASICS ended in 2019. This happened after he was found to have broken Rugby Australia's player code of conduct.

Folau has a sister and four brothers. His younger brother, John Folau, also plays rugby union.

In October 2010, a street in Goodna, Queensland, was named "Israel Folau Street" in his honour. This is where he played junior rugby league.

On 23 October 2016, Folau announced he was engaged to New Zealand netball player Maria Tuta'ia. They got married on 15 November 2017.

Religious Beliefs

Folau grew up as a Mormon. In 2011, he became an active member of the Assemblies of God Christian church. His father, Eni Folau, is a pastor. Folau has said that his faith in God is a reason for his success in sports. In an article in 2017, Folau wrote that he reads the Bible every day. He said that his faith in Jesus Christ is the most important thing in his life. He believes it is a loving act to share Bible passages with others.

Honours and Achievements

Individual Awards

Rugby League

• 2007: Dally M Rookie of the Year
• 2007: Australian Young Performer of the Year
• 2007: International Newcomer of the Year (RLIF Awards)
• 2008: State of Origin Man-of-the-Match (Game 3, 2008)
• 2008: Dally M Centre of the Year

Team Achievements

Rugby League

• 2007: NRL Premiers (Melbourne Storm) (title later removed)
• 2008: NRL Minor Premiers (Melbourne Storm) (title later removed)

Rugby Union

• 2014: Super Rugby Winners (New South Wales Waratahs)

Representative Honours

Rugby League

• 2007: All-time Youngest Australian International Player (18 years and 194 days)
• 2007–09: Australian Kangaroos Test Squad (3 Tests)
• 2008: Australian Rugby League World Cup Squad (5 Matches)
• 2008–10: Queensland State of Origin Squad (8 Matches)

Rugby Union

• 2015: Rugby Championship Winners

National Rugby League Records

• 2007: Most Tries in a Debut Season (21)

Images for kids

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  Folau (left) in an AFL match against the Gold Coast Football Club at Manuka Oval during the 2012 season.

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  Folau with the New South Wales Waratahs.

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  Folau against the Sunwolves in 2019.

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  Israel Folau with Dwayne Johnson and Will Skelton in 2014.

See also

In Spanish: Israel Folau para niños