Paul Malone: Why Israel Folau makes my Broncos team of the decade

He only played 20 matches for the Broncos in the decade, but NRL writer Paul Malone says Israel Folau deserves to be in the Brisbane team of the decade. See the full team here.

• Read Ben Ikin’s Team of the Decade here
• Read Steve Renouf’s Team of the Decade here

A superior kicking game won Peter Wallace the number seven jumper over Ben Hunt in respected rugby league writer Paul Malone’s Broncos Team of the Decade.

“Wallace played fewer games at halfback than Hunt but he was far more likely to earn a drop out and was more adept at field goal shooting,” The Courier-Mail stalwart said.

Malone, who has covered the Broncos since day one for and wrote the biographies of Alfie Langer and Brent Tate, said centre, wing and front row were the other positions that gave him the most concern.

18/6/10 Round 15 NRL action between the Brisbane Broncos and the Penrith Panthers from Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. Israel Folau. Pics Adam Head

“Israel Folau had only one season for the Broncos but the fact that he scored 20 tries in 20 games makes it all the more of a shame that he left to play AFL. I would have liked to include Jack Reed but Israel really demanded selection in the three-quarter line,” he said.

“It was the same with Jharal Yow Yeh who had such a brilliant career ahead of him before it ended prematurely with a terrible leg fracture.”

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Like Folau, 235-game veteran Petero Civoniceva played just 20 games for the Broncos during the 2010-2019 period, having returned to the club after a stint with Penrith.

Even so, Malone chose him in his starting side, with fellow prop Ben Hannant earning a bench spot at the expense of Joe Ofahengaue.

“I felt badly not recognising Joe’s contribution to the club but the fact that I’ve gone with Petero after just one season serves to highlight that the Broncos have never really replaced a forward of his calibre.”

Paul Malone’s Broncos’ Team of the Decade

1. Darius Boyd

2. Corey Oates

3. Israel Folau

4. Justin Hodges

5. Jharal Yow Yeh

6. Darren Lockyer

7. Peter Wallace

8. Josh McGuire

9. Andrew McCullough

10. Petero Civoniceva

11. Sam Thaiday

12. Matt Gillett

13. Corey Parker

14. Anthony Milford

15. Alex Glenn

16. Ben Hannant

17. Payne Haas