POLYNESIANS with natural athletic ability are the next big targets for the AFL - and Israel Folau is ready to lure them away from the rugby codes.
As the face of Aussie rules in western Sydney, Folau has been recruited by the AFL not only to market the new Greater Western Sydney franchise but also attract highly skilled Polynesian teens.
''
It's really about a second choice for them, most Polynesian kids tend to choose to play rugby league and I just think, as for me changing codes, they could have a second option and play AFL as well,'' Folau said.
''Especially in the western Sydney area, a lot of Polynesian kids will maybe be thinking about playing AFL now. I'm pretty lucky to have the talent that I have, but it's going to take a lot of hard work for me to make the transition.''
Folau, Sydney born of Tongan descent, said he ''certainly wouldn't feel guilty'' about luring players of any background to AFL, despite the time and money league had spent on his development.
The signing of the untried Folau to a multimillion-dollar contract has caused great angst in Australian football ranks, which has spurred AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou to email to every player, coach and official yesterday to explain the move.
In the email, Demetriou insists the value of Folau's contract is in line with those of other elite players in the code, with ''separate marketing and promotional contracts'' with an emphasis on ''the increasing promotion of our game throughout the Pacific Islands''.
Meanwhile, Folau has set his sights on becoming the second player to conquer all three codes by seeking a stint in European rugby before joining his AFL franchise, Greater Western Sydney - which will not stand in his way.
The 21-year-old rugby league star has signed a four-year deal with GWS worth $6 million but is also keen to dip his toe in European rugby union.
''It would be another awesome experience to go over there and play in another code and then come back to the AFL, that is something for me to look at down the track,'' Folau told the Herald.
Folau wants to emulate his friend Karmichael Hunt, who left the Broncos to play for French rugby side Biarritz before returning this week to join AFL side Gold Coast. ''I still don't know what I am going to do at the end of the year, whether I will stay here and practise or go overseas and have a stint in rugby union,'' Folau said. ''I'll see what the options are at the end of the year.''
Folau rejected an offer to join the Melbourne Rebels Super 15 rugby franchise to sign with the AFL.
GWS coach Kevin Sheedy said the club would not stop Folau spending his pre-season in Europe as opposed to training at Blacktown Olympic Park.
''As long as he gets into a situation where he starts practising his kicking - that's all I'm concerned about,'' Sheedy said. ''I'm not worried if he ends up playing rugby - he is two years younger than Karmichael so we're not going to worry about that. It will take me five years to get a bloke who has a build like his.''
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/izzy-afls-6m-polynesian-pioneer-20100601-wvd5.html
