Israel Folau

Israel Folau was only 17 when the 2007 NRL season kicked off. Melbourne Storm coach, Craig Bellamy had prepared him to play with Norths Devils in the Queensland Cup, but the talent and skills Folau displayed in trials made it impossible for Bellamy to ignore his claims.

Folau became the youngest player to appear for the Storm (beating the previous record held by Greg Inglis) when he played against Wests Tigers in Round 1. He was the only player to appear in every game for Melbourne that year, and along the way broke the club try scoring record, crossing 21 times.

After joining a select group to claim a premiership medal in his debut season, Folau was selected for Australia, taking the place of Justin Hodges, who was ruled out through injury. As one would expect, he was named NRL Rookie of the Year.

The following season, Folau made his State of Origin debut for Queensland.

Folau was born at Minto, South West Sydney, where he played league for the Cobras' junior club. The family moved to Queensland in the early 2000s, with Folau attending league stronghold, Marsden State High School, while playing junior rugby league with Goodna Eagles, in Ipswich. He was chosen for Queensland Under 15s and Australian Schoolboys, before being signed by Melbourne.

At first, Folau was placed with Storm feeder club, Norths and was chosen for Queensland Under 19s. His club record 21 tries for Melbourne in the 2007 was also the most by a NRL rookie, breaking the record previously held by Billy Slater.

He's got all the talent and the indications are he'll be one of the greatest players the game has ever seen.

Mal Meninga FOG #4

The record has since been surpassed by Josh Addo-Carr and Suliasi Vunivalu. Folau played at centre in Melbourne's 34-8 win over Manly in the 2007 NRL grand final. When he was chosen for the Trans-Tasman Test in Wellington, New Zealand, a fortnight later, he became the youngest player to represent Australia, aged 18 years 194 days. That record was broken in 2014, by Sione Mata'utia, who was 18 years 129 days, when he played against England. Folau scored two tries in his Test debut, as Australia romped to a 58-0 victory.

Folau played on the wing against New Zealand in the Centenary Test at the SCG in 2008, scoring a try in Australia's 28-12 victory. He also scored a try in his Origin debut a fortnight later, although Queensland lost 18-10, to New South Wales. Queensland went on to win the next two matches, to retain their Origin crown, with Folau scoring one try in Origin II and two in the decider.

Folau played another five games for Queensland in the next two years, as the Maroons' maintained Origin supremacy. He also played for Australia in the 2008 World Cup, and played another Test against the Kiwis in 2009, to finish his International League career with eight caps.

Folau signed with Brisbane Broncos in 2009, and scored 37 tries in 39 appearances, over two seasons.

He switched to Australian rules in 2011, linking with Greater Western Sydney in the AFL, before being signed by the Australian Rugby Union in 2013. He went on to become a dual international, before returning to rugby league with French club, Catalans Dragons in 2020, playing 15 matches in Super League.

He had a brief stint with Southport Tigers in the Gold Coast Rugby League in 2021, before signing up to rugby union, in Japan.