Junior Sports Star nominee Netane Talanoa a talent in both codes

Junior athlete Netane Talanoa is a superstar of both rugby codes, just like his hero, Israel Folau.

This week's Junior Sports Star nominee Netane Talanoa is a superstar of both rugby codes, just like his hero, Israel Folau.

The powerful front-rower toured his native Tonga and New Zealand earlier this year with the Illawarra Rugby Union under-13s representative side.

Illawarra lost their first game against Tonga High School 45-29, but defeated Tupou College 17-5.

The 13-year-old said he was honoured to return to Tonga. "I'm half Tongan, so it was inspiring for me to go back and play rugby," Talanoa said.

The touring team also defeat Ponsonby Rugby Club 79-0, Otago Boys High School 34-0 and Cromwell Rugby Club 46-26 in NZ.

"I've grown up watching my Wallabies play the All Blacks and playing in NZ was pretty cool. To win was even better because NZ are so good at rugby," Talanoa said.

The Campbelltown Performing Arts High School student was selected for the Illawarra representative side after stellar form with the Campbelltown Harlequins, who won the competition last year and are undefeated in the under-13s this season.

Talanoa is also in the South West Sydney Academy of Sport Rugby union development squad. He is also a talented rugby league player, winning selecton in the Wests Tigers junior development program this year. He said the skills he learned with the Tigers helped him to take the Campbelltown City Kangaroos under-13s side to the final series, undefeated.

But Talanoa said union was his true love.

"I love rugby and I want to play for the Wallabies one day, just like Tatafu Polota-Nau or Izzy (Folau)," he said.

"I want to rise up through the grades of club rugby and hopefully get picked up."

Rebel is a sponsor of the awards.