- Named after polarising cross-code footy star
Few Australian athletes divide opinion more than Israel Folau – and now it can be revealed the polarising cross-code star has a suburban street named in his honour.
Israel Folau Street is located in Goodna, on the eastern edge of Ipswich in Queensland. It is also just 20km southwest from Brisbane’s CBD.
When the street was opened, Folau was on hand for the moment he found humbling.
‘It’s pretty cool… I feel very special,’ Folau told News Corp. ‘It would be nice to (one day) own a home on this street.’
Folau spent several years playing junior footy for the Goodna Eagles before he began his journey to the NRL.
At 36, Folau is still playing rugby union, representing Urayasu D-Rocks in Japan.
Few athletes divide opinion more than Israel Folau – and now it can be revealed the cross-code star has a suburban street named in his honour
Israel Folau Street (pictured) is located in Goodna, on the eastern edge of Ipswich in Queensland
The suburb is also just 20km southwest from Brisbane’s CBD, making it appealing to countless homeowners and renters
After NRL stints with the Melbourne Storm and Brisbane Broncos, Folau stunned the Australian sporting public after signing a lucrative deal with the GWS Giants in the AFL ahead of the 2011 season (pictured)
In May 2019, Folau was sacked by Rugby Australia following a homophobic Instagram post – months later the fullback received a public apology from RA and a reported $4million in damages
Folau, 36, is married to former New Zealand netball star Maria Tutaia
The winger made his NRL debut in 2007 with the Melbourne Storm and won a premiership the same season – although it was later stripped due to salary cap breaches.
He moved to the Brisbane Broncos in 2009 before stunning the Australian sporting public after signing a lucrative deal with the GWS Giants in the AFL ahead of the 2011 campaign.
Next was a shift to rugby, where Folau was a standout for the Wallabies, playing 73 Tests.
In May 2019, Folau was sacked by Rugby Australia following a homophobic Instagram post.
The explosive post from the highly religious Folau stated ‘hell awaits’ homosexuals and adulterers.
His contract at the time was worth a reported $5million.
In late 2019, Rugby Australia publicly apologised to Folau for sacking him in what was a humiliating backdown to spare the embattled sporting body a lengthy court battle where Folau sought a whopping $14million in damages.
Folau is married to former New Zealand netball star Maria Tutaia.
