Success at the top level of Rugby League has come from self-determination and hard work, says 'Isileli Folau, an Australian Rugby League star, who joined his family for a return visit to Tonga recently.

While he was in Nuku'alofa, 'Isileli was a guest of honour at a luncheon hosted by the executive of the Tonga Rugby League at the Loumaile Lodge on Saturday, July 18.

It was 'Isileli's first visit to Tonga, and he expressed how happy he was to be "at home".

'Isileli's family emigrated to Australia, where he grew up. His parents returned to Tonga for a visit and 'Isileli's father 'Eni said that 'Isileli decided on the holiday, because hewas recovering from a fractured leg.

Lopeti 'Uhatafe, the secretary of the Tonga Rugby League was eager to find out if 'Isileli would like to play for Tonga. The answer of course was "yes", but there are rules to follow. Because of his Australian commitments, under Rugby League rules 'Isileli can't play for Tonga during the next two years.

'Isileli was the youngest player to represent Australia in 2007 when he was still 18.

He started playing league when he was 13, and he recalled when he said to himself, "I can do that. I then wrote it on a piece of paper and stuck it on the wall of my room, that I want to play my first State of Origin game when I am 17...—and I did."

From then on things were laid out for 'Isileli, he was selected for the Kangaroos in 2007, and has shifted from the Melbourne Stormers to the Brisbane Broncos this season.