Former Tonga rugby league international John Folau is following his older brother Israel into rugby union and will join him at Super Rugby club NSW Waratahs in 2019.
The 24-year-old switched to union this year and has secured a training spot with the Waratahs following games for the Sydney Rays in the National Rugby Championship.
He played one rugby league Test for Tonga in 2014 and played for NRL club Parramatta in 2015-17 but says eventually playing union at an international level has always been the dream.
“As a kid, one of my childhood memories was sitting around the TV with family and watching the Wallabies play and watching those players represent the country,” Folau said.
Waratahs assistant Chris Whitaker coached Folau at the Rays and said while injury restricted him to only two games, he had shown ability and willingness to learn.
Israel Folau also played rugby league before establishing himself in rugby union and claiming 71 Test caps for the Wallabies since 2013.
Boomeranga
Roar Rookie
9. Gordon 10. Foley 11. I Folau 12. Beale 13. Rona 14. Clarke 15. Newsome This is perhaps the best backline we could pick at the moment. It isn't real flash!
The General
Guest
Oh dear at some stage next year the Wallabies backline could look something like this . Oh dear. No wonder no one watches the Wallabies anymore. 9 Phipps 10 Foley 11 AAC 12 Beale 13 Hunt 14 J Folau 15 I Folau
Bobby
Guest
Good to see Tahs are selecting players on bloodlines now.
Objective
Guest
I saw one of those NRC games when he had minimal touches and zero impact on the game. Apparently he has shown "ability and willingness to learn". Right. So no other players in Shute Shield show those traits? An insult to those blokes who bust their arses every week for the sake of a surname. Bloody ridiculous.
Bobby
Guest
It's a bit of a worry when players are picked on bloodlines
jcmasher
Roar Rookie
I’d think one under performing Folau would be enough for any team
jeznez
Roar Guru
Yeah, I was a bit worried when I searched for a highlights video of his play and what came up was a try scored by his character in a rugby league video game, rather than any actual play. He's being touted as Taqele's replacement, I'll wait a bit before I'm convinced.
RugbyTragic
Roar Rookie
Nothing “comes cheap” at the Tahs
RugbyTragic
Roar Rookie
After the amazing development of big brother Israel at the Tahs and Wallabies I’m sure this kid will develop into a world beater too
Paul D
Roar Rookie
I have no expectations of Folau 2.0. If he had the talents of his brother, by 24 it would have been evident already and he wouldn't have been a fringe NRL player. Still he likely came cheap so what's the risk? Maybe playing with big bro will bring out the best in both of them.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
They have been broke in the past (70's) and still survived. Do not under any circumstance think I support this broken self-indulgent group calling itself RA.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
I think this is a good sign that Chris Whittaker is being listened to by Gibson. I have some small hopes that this combination will be useful to the tahs. IMO, Whittaker was the #1 halfback in Australia during the last 4-5 years of Gregans reign and outplayed him on several games against the Brumbies.
Craigo
Guest
What a waste of talent. He will back in the NRL when RA goes broke next year.