Israel Folau is a player of exceptional potential in the 15-man game and could feature for the Wallabies sooner rather than later.

Folau joined the Waratahs in December 2012 after spells in both rugby league and the AFL. In rugby league, Folau played 90 games for the Melbourne Storm and the Brisbane Broncos before announcing his switch to AFL in 2010. While with the Storm, he broke the National Rugby League's record for the most tries in a debut year and earned the Rookie of the Year award. He then became the youngest player to represent Australia aged 18 years and 194 days.

He played in the Stade of Origin, representing Queensland, and also turned out for Australia in the 2008 World Cup. Despite excelling in league, he signed for the Greater Western Sydney Giants and played 13 games for the western Sydney side in their debut AFL season.

In 2012, Folau announced that he was to join the Waratahs and set his sights on the 2013 British & Irish Lions tour.

Folau was born in New South Wales but his parents are of Tongan descent. His decision to link up with the 'Tahs sees him join a host of players who have Tongan ancestry: Wycliff Palu, Sitaleki and Lopeti Timani and Sekope Kepu.