TONGAN Australian Football League (AFL) superstar Israel Folau who signed a $6 million four year deal with the Greater Western Sydney, making him one of the youngest and highest paid players visited Tonga before Christmas 2010 to promote his new sport.

Israel (21) and 6ft tall, was joined by two other high profile AFL players, Nic Naitanui and Karmichael Hunt together with AFL officials, to promote the U-16 Oceania Championships that began on December 13-20 featuring eight Pacific Island countries. Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Samoa, Vanuatu, Nauru, Solomon Islands and New Zealand.

Israel switched to AFL last year after playing Rugby League for four years, first with the Melbourne Storms in 2007-08 and two years with the Brisbane Broncos ending last year.

Right time

"When my time was up with the Broncos I got a surprise offer from the AFL to come over and try a different sport. I am only 21 now so at this age I thought it was the right time to try something different and test my skills out in a different sport."

He said this was a big decision for him to make and he is in training with his club Western Sydney for about two months now and it has been good.

He would start playing with his club at the beginning of the 2011 season in the North East Australian Football League.

Israel also confirmed that his four years contract is worth $6 million.

"It's a big contract and I am pretty lucky to have that and even playing a different sport is a good chance for me become an elite player in a different sport."

He said jumping onboard with AFL required a few changes. With AFL it’s a little bit lighter whereas when I was with rugby league I was a little bit heavier so I had to loose some weight to be able to carry myself around the field, he added.

This meant cutting back on Tongan food that he likes for example puaka (pork) and lu. At the moment I am in full training and can't be eating it too much of that, he laughed.

Israel also highlighted that joining with AFL has connected him more to the people in Tonga than when he was in rugby league. I am lucky to be here with the AFL officials and help them with their game in the Pacific and in Tonga, he said.

Tongan heritage

Israel who first came to Tonga last year with his father 'Eni said it is always good to come back home to where his parents were born. His father is from Ma'ufanga and mother 'Amelia is from Folaha in Tongatapu.

"Tonga is my heritage and that is one thing I would never loose because I am Tongan even though I was born in Australia."

As a young Tongan playing at the top of his game in Australia, Israel is quite humble about his achievement.

"I see myself as an ambassador for the Tongan people and to help give Tongans an opportunity in sport because I am lucky to be in the position I am today. And I am just thankful for the opportunity and to God for my talent."

Israel's advice to youths in Tonga is that anything is possible for them. "They just need to work hard and trust themselves they can make it and it's always important to listen to your parents," he added.

Israel left Tonga with the rest of the AFL crew before Christmas at the conclusion of the Oceania Championships.