Israel Folau new face of rugby league
Peter Badel | January 03, 2009 11:00pm
THREE years ago, Israel Folau was an unknown teenager playing touch footy in the Marsden State High playground.
Now Folau is officially an NRL superstar after signing a lucrative deal with adidas.
At just 19 years old, Folau will replace Mark Gasnier as the sportswear giant's face of rugby league.
The Queensland sensation launches his career at the Broncos today, hailed as one of the most important signings in the club's history.
But Folau is no longer just the footballing teen renowned for steamrolling rivals 10 years his senior. He is now a corporate golden child; a once-in-a-generation whiz-kid who stands to make millions on the back of multi-national companies realising the power of his talent and the value of his clean-living Mormon lifestyle.
Welcome to Israel Inc.
From next month, Folau's face will be splashed across bus shelters and billboards in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney as part of an adidas marketing blitz. He will wear a specially tailored boot this year, and recently completed filming for a television ad after signing a two-year deal with Powerade.
Fame is paying sweet dividends. Last month Folau moved into a large home in the south of Brisbane, big enough to accommodate parents Eni and Amelia and his five siblings.
But in his first interview since officially linking with the Broncos, Folau says he is determined his on-field performances will not be hindered by off-field hype.
FOLAU admits he is blown away by his corporate appeal but says money and fame won't change the boy reared in the blue-collar southwestern Sydney suburb of Campbelltown.
"I never thought as a kid I'd be famous and filming TV ads," said Folau, who leaves for Coffs Harbour today for a pre-season Broncos camp.
"I'm really lucky to be attracting sponsors and the money from football has helped my life, it's helped my family, but it won't change who I am.
"I want to stay level-headed. I don't want to become cocky or arrogant. My parents have taught me to be humble with the things I've achieved. I'm a shy person. To be honest, I don't like going out too much in public.
"Things have happened so quick for me I was at school a couple of years ago and sometimes I have to pinch myself at what's happened. But my family and friends keep my feet on the ground."
FOLAU, the youngest player to represent Australia, is expected to deliver from day one at Red Hill. But the 105kg giant is relishing the prospect of forming a centre partnership with Justin Hodges.
"I'm not worried about the expectation," he says. "I know I'm the big signing for Brisbane. I'm not thinking about it too much otherwise there'd be a lot of weight on my shoulders to live up to the expectation. I know it's a big year for me. It's important I don't slacken off and that I keep doing the little things to reach the big goals."
HAVING signed a four-year deal, Folau plans to become a Bronco for life and warns NRL rivals that he can get better.
"I don't feel I've played my best footy. There's areas in attack and defence I need to work on," he said.
"I've been in the NRL for two years but I'm still hungry for more.
"Even though I've won a comp and played Origin and for Australia, it doesn't mean I'm not hungry. I've got a lot to prove at the Broncos so I don't want to let them down. I want to try and finish my career in Brisbane."
THE Broncos were buffeted by claims a drinking culture had penetrated the club last season, but Folau says he has no interest in booze.
"I don't ever want to go near alcohol," he said. "I've achieved so much in the last few years without alcohol so I want to continue that way. It can be tough in the footy environment. A lot of the boys have a drink now and then but I can say no to it. None of my family drinks or smokes, which helps."
FOLAU dropped a bombshell last year by revealing he might prematurely quit the NRL to embark on a two-year religious mission. But, in a major boost for the Broncos, Folau says he is committed to the club.
"It's still an option for me but I think it is later on. I won't be going anytime soon," he said. "Hopefully, the way I play my football, trying to be as good as I can, that sets an example for people and helps the church."
