Super Rugby signing: John Folau joins brother Israel at NSW Waratahs
ISRAEL Folau’s younger brother John has been snapped up by the NSW Waratahs to play Super Rugby next season after turning his back on league and being impressed by union’s off-field record.
The 24-year-old John Folau played eight NRL games with Parramatta but switched codes mid-season and made a big impact in his limited appearances for the Sydney Rays in the National Rugby Championship.
He’s still a work in progress but at 193cm tall and with speed to burn, he’s got all the tools to follow in the footsteps of his superstar sibling.
The chance to play alongside Israel was part of the incentive John moved to rugby but he revealed that another reason was that he was attracted by the way union players behave off the field.
“Just the opportunity to play at such a great club and also to play alongside my brother is a bonus,” he said.
John Folau played eight NRL games with Parramatta but switched codes to rugby union“Also, When I came over from league to NRC, the trainers here at the Waratahs and our trainers at the Rays they really tried to help develop and better ourselves with stuff off the field so that was something that really helped me.”
Folau said he had taken back by the positive culture and approach by everyone he had dealt with in rugby so far.
“I’m still trying to learn the game but the coaching staff and also the boys are all trying to help each other and push each other,” he said.
“The boys are down to earth and they’re easygoing and have been really good helping the new fellas out.”
John Folau has joined brother Israel Folau at the Waratahs. Picture: Gregg PorteousWaratahs assistant coach Chris Whitaker, who also took charge of the Rays during the NRC, has liked what he’s seen so far from Izzy’s “little” brother.
“He is an athletic player with a strong motivation to learn more about the specifics of the game and also his playing position. I cannot wait to see how far he can go in this sport,” Whitaker said.
“While he had limited involvement in the NRC due to injury, he showed his potential in the game and a half he played.”
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