Israel Folau (Tongan: Isileli Folau; born 3 April 1989) is an Australian professional rugby union footballer with the NSW Waratahs in Super Rugby.
Prior to signing with the Waratahs, Folau played Rugby league for the Melbourne Storm in the National Rugby League (NRL) from 2007 to 2008 where he broke the record for most tries in a debut year. He then played with the Brisbane Broncos from 2009 to 2010. Playing as either a wing or centre, Folau has also represented the Australian rugby league team and Queensland in State Origin matches, becoming the youngest player to play for both teams. For the 2011 season, Folau made his first code switch, joining the Greater Western Sydney Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). In December 2012, Folau announced he was to switch codes again, signing a one-year contract with rugby union team the NSW Waratahs, .
Folau was born in Minto, New South Wales to parents of Tongan descent. He attended Lurnea Public School and Westfield Sports High School before his family moved to Brisbane in 2004. In Brisbane Folau attended Marsden State High School from where he was selected for the Queensland Schoolboys squad in the Australian Under-15 Championships and also represented the Australian Schoolboys team in 2006,. Folau also played several seasons of junior rugby league at the Goodna Eagles in Goodna.
