Swisse

Israel Folau sat down as a 17-year-old in early 2007 and set himself a goal to play a single game for the Melbourne Storm in the NRL. Instead, he went on to carve out one of the most incredible debut seasons in rugby league history, breaking a slew of records, and became the youngest player to ever represent Australia at Test level.

A member of Brisbane North’s Colts premiership team and a Queensland representative at age 15 and 17, Folau became the first player to represent Queensland U19s at 16 years of age.

Announcing himself on the big stage with Melbourne in 2007, Folau played every game of the season and broke the club’s single season try scoring record with 21, a remarkable achievement.

His prodigious talent was integral to Melbourne’s Premiership success, and led to a string of individual accolades, including Dally M Rookie of the Year, Australian Young Performer of the Year and RLIF International Newcomer of the Year. At season’s end, he was selected to the Australian Test team, scoring two tries on debut for the Kangaroos in their victory over arch rivals New Zealand in Wellington. In 2008, Folau entered the State of Origin cauldron for the first time, helping Queensland to their third consecutive series win with a try on debut and man-of-the-match performance in game three. At season’s end he was again honoured at the prestigious Dally M Awards, this time named NRL Centre of the Year.

In 2009, Folau signed with the Brisbane Broncos and immediately made an impact with his new club, scoring 13 tries over the course of the season. He won his second State of Origin Series with Queensland, scoring a try in game two, and helped exact slight revenge over World Champions New Zealand with a Test victory on ANZAC Day.

Early in 2010, Israel was selected in the NRL All Stars team for the inaugural Indigenous All Stars game on the Gold Coast, topping a nationwide public vote involving more than 50,000 rugby league fans. Midway through the year, following a third consecutive State of Origin series victory for Queensland, he announced a headline grabbing four-year contract with new AFL franchise, Greater Western Sydney, becoming just the second rugby league player in history to make the move between codes.

At 22 years of age, Israel Folau has established himself as one of the most popular and immediately recognisable athletes in Australian sport. A vastly talented individual of immeasurable potential, his story is only just beginning.

ISRAEL FOLAU ONLINE

Twitter: @IzzyFolau