Rapid rise and rise of Israel Folau spells danger for Ireland

The great Noel Kelly retired from rugby league in 1970 after what Americans would call a Hall of Fame career and, 43 years later, the suburb of Goodna in the Queensland city of Ipswich honoured their famous son by naming a street after him.

Israel Folau was just 22 and had been a professional player for only three years when the good folk of Goodna repeated the gesture for another of their brethren who had at the time just crossed codes from league to Aussie Rules.

Things have always happened quicker for Folau. He represented Queensland at U19 level at 16 and from there progressed to being the youngest player to ever represent both the Melbourne Storm and the Kangaroos.