Feast your eyes on Proszenko's latest piece today. I wonder where he got that scoop?
John Folau in contention for Parramatta Eels debut
Date March 19, 2015 - 4:03AM
Adrian Proszenko
Chief Rugby League Reporter
At 193 centimetres and 112 kilograms, you could hardly describe John Folau as the little brother of code-hopper Israel.
For John, Saturday could provide the first opportunity to measure his game as he comes under consideration for an NRL debut against the Warriors. Eels coach Brad Arthur was giving little away about his line-up, but the player officially listed to replace the injured Semi Radradra, Vai Toutai, won't play due to a leg injury of his own.
Ready for the big time: John Folau takes on South Sydney at the Auckland Nines.
Ready for the big time: John Folau takes on South Sydney at the Auckland Nines. Photo: Getty Images
Arthur conceded Folau is a "good chance" of getting the nod, although Buereta Faraimo, Ryan Morgan and Lee Crooks are also contenders. "Whoever comes in this week will get an opportunity to cement a spot there," Arthur said. "We don't want to bring someone in and then tip them out after a week. We need to make sure we get our selection process right. John is a good chance and at some stage I want to give him a run in the NRL and see what he's got. Whether it's this weekend or not, [I haven't decided]."
Advertisement
Folau bears many striking similarities to his more celebrated sibling. There's the name, the same build and they both play the same league position. But in an interview with Fairfax Media two years ago, he said there was one startling difference in their youth. "I was the chubby kid at school," John Folau said at the time. "I wasn't good at athletics. Wasn't good at any sport, really. I was terrible. I was just not in shape, real sloppy. A real chubby kid. I don't know [how much I weighed] but I know I was chubby."
Much has changed for the Minto Cobras product, who has gone on to represent Tonga and Queensland at under-20s level. Second-tier salary cap pressures prevented Folau from making his first-grade debut in 2013 and it is now down to Arthur's preference for the trip across the Tasman. "I don't want to be talking him up because we don't know what we're doing yet," Arthur said. "He doesn't need any extra pressure on him or him being compared to his brother either."
Eels captain Tim Mannah was also circumspect when the subject was broached. "Is he exciting? Yeah, he is, he's got a very big physical presence about him, so he's very gifted athletically. So are a lot of other players in our squad and it's up the coaches what they do."
The Eels have other injury concerns including halfback Chris Sandow and new recruit Anthony Watmough.
Replies
I'm pretty sure this was fairly well known before anyone on 1Eyed knew anything officially.
Ham don't let facts get in the way of a rant against Proszenko!