Cross-code superstar Israel Folau has committed to Rugby union after signing on until the end of 2015

FORMER Minto resident Israel Folau has committed to the 15-man code until the end of 2015.

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FORMER Minto resident Israel Folau has committed to the 15-man code until the end of 2015 after signing a two-year deal with NSW Waratahs and Australian Rugby union.

Folau exploded in his first Super Rugby season for the Waratahs with a try-scoring debut against the Reds in round two and finished as the tournament's second-highest try scorer.

He was then selected for the Wallabies against the British and Irish Lions, scoring a double in his Test debut, before earning selection in the national side for the Rugby Championship.

Folau chose a NSW Rugby Union development clinic at Fairfield High School this morning, minutes away from his former Westfields Sports High School, to announce his re-signing.

Israel Folau during The Rugby Championship Bledisloe Cup match between the New Zealand All Blacks and the Australian Wallabies at Westpac Stadium on August 24, 2013 in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

"I've really enjoyed my first year for the Waratahs and being with the Wallabies," he said.

"Next year is going to be an exciting year for the Wallabies and Waratahs and I've still got more to offer, that's the reason I decided to stay."

The 23-year-old was raised in Minto and attended Sarah Redfern Public School.

Folau told the Macarthur Chronicle in April that Minto would produce more talented footballers, such as Parramatta Eels star Jarryd Hayne and Canterbury Bulldogs talents Krisnan Inu and Tim Lafai.

``An incredible amount of talent has come out of Minto and the area has produced a lot of guys who have played professional sport,'' he said.

``Looking at myself and my mates who all play first-grade footy now, I think you can see the benefits of identifying your talent in playing rugby league and working towards making it.

``There's a lot more guys coming through and I think it's important to continue to put programs in place in the Macarthur region to make the transition (into professional football) even easier than we had it.

``Driving past Minto, for me, is memories of going to primary school with Jarryd and Krisnan and playing touch footy with them at the fields after school."