Israel Folau and Jarryd Hayne have risen from Minto to the world stage

TWO childhood friends from the backblocks of Minto will soon step on sport’s grandest stages in front of worldwide audiences of millions.

Israel Folau and the Australian rugby union team in training camp at the University of Notre Dame, Indiana, USA. Photo supplied by ARU Media

TWO childhood friends from the back blocks of Minto will soon step on sport’s grandest stages in front of worldwide audiences of millions, and Israel Folau admits he can scarcely believe the situation he and Jarryd Hayne find themselves in.

Folau will be Australia’s key man when their World Cup campaign begins in the United Kingdom in 12 days, while Hayne will be the most watched player in the San Francisco 49ers team should he make his NFL debut in the United States on Tuesday.

Who could have predicted this when the two teenagers were running around in suburban footy grounds in western Sydney? Who could have predicted this when the pair were running around in the NRL just four years ago?

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“We’re from the same suburb, went to school together, we played juniors together - at times you’ve got to sit back and pinch yourself at the way things have gone,” Folau told the Sunday Telegraph.

“It is just amazing to see what he’s doing, and I’m sure he would say the same thing.”

Folau and his Wallabies teammates have been training in the United States for the past fortnight in preparation for the World Cup, and Hayne’s sensational pre-season form for the 49ers has led to inevitable conversations with locals.

“You can definitely feel the hype, he’s made a huge impact in a very short space of time since he’s come over here,” Folau said.

“With us guys being around town, the locals straight away refer to Jarryd being an Aussie, it’s good to see him doing so well.”

Folau has not been approached by any NFL scouts in Indiana, where the Wallabies are based, adding: “That’s good, I’ve been allowed to focus on getting my preparation right”.

Folau admits that having played State of Origin, an NRL grand final, AFL games, a Super Rugby final, the British & Irish Lions series and Bledisloe Cup matches against the All Blacks, he is about to feature in the pinnacle of his career.

And he embraces the pressure that comes with being the most influential attacking weapon in Australia’s campaign, in a tournament that will attract an estimated cumulative global audience of four billion people.

“Even at the start, as a young kid, playing in an NRL grand final at 18, that’s the type of stuff growing up that I would think about, I always wished I was in that moment,” Folau said.

“Same for the World Cup, I want to be there, it’s the position I want to be in.

“There is no other position I would rather be than at the top of the list, the World Cup is the highest honour you can have as a player and I always want to put myself in that situation.

“I always wanted to play State of Origin, and play for Australia as a young kid. There aren’t many nerves for me because as a child that is what I pictured for myself.

“My journey has been different, but I want to be part of the highest accolade and that is what the World Cup is for me.

“Up to date, it’s the biggest event that I’ve been part of in my career.

“But I’m definitely not feeling any pressure, because I don’t look at it from that perspective.

“It is a huge honour and privilege to be a part of the World Cup and represent your country, but for me it’s about enjoying what I do, and playing to the best of my ability.

“I know what my standards are.

“If anything, it’s less about the pressure and more about the excitement and enjoyment of playing in the World Cup.”

Originally published as Israel Folau and Jarryd Hayne have risen from Minto to the world stage