NSW Waratahs' Israel Folau is not irked by claims he is not Wallaby material

THERE are no guarantees Israel Folau won't look to get even but Jake White and other critics should know one thing.

Folau

THERE are no guarantees Israel Folau won't look to get even - or more than even - but Jake White and other critics should know one thing.

If the aim is distraction, to stir is to err. Folau doesn't get mad, and truth be told, he's forgiven you already.

"The way I was brought up by my family, it was about caring for other people, not myself," Folau says.

"Since day one I learned when people give their opinions and all that, it's something I can't control so I just don't let it matter.

"Being criticised for something, I just let it go. I have that forgiveness for other people, even people I don't know. So it doesn't bother me. Just the way I was brought up is probably the way I overcome a lot of things mentally."

Folau has had to do a lot of forgiving in recent years. After leaving a stellar rugby league career for a big-dollar but ill-fated switch to AFL, criticism found Folau with far more regularity than the Sherrin did.

A switch to rugby - after more criticism for not returning to the NRL - has been hugely successful by comparison, but still the forgiving has had to flow.

With such dominant form for the Waratahs after just 11 games Folau is now in Wallabies contention, even this week the 24-year-old has learnt Australia's Super coaches held doubts about his Test credentials.

White even repeated his critical stance on Folau's claim to a Wallabies jersey, saying unless the NSW fullback commits to Australian rugby long-term, he shouldn't play against the British and Irish Lions next month.

"I don't read the media but (Michael) Cheika told me and the guys on TV asked me as well," Folau said.

"To me, that's all fine. (White) is obviously a huge name in rugby and it's fine by me if he makes comments. I will just go on the field to do my talking."

Tonight that field will be ANZ Stadium, and if history is anything to go by, the Brumbies might want to pay extra attention to the Waratahs No.15 when he warms up the vocal chords.

Remarkably, Folau will play in his third professional code at the Olympic venue, and if that alone fails to highlight his incredible athleticism, his record of achievements there finishes the job.

Having pocketed grand final wins, Origin triumphs and a high-pressured AFL debut all on the same 18,600sq m of turf, another dominant performance from Folau unfolds tonight for NSW against the Brumbies will remove any doubts he's up to Test rugby.

"There's definitely been some great memories playing here," Folau said this week during a photoshoot.

Folau was barely 18 years old - already capped by the Kangaroos - when he won a grand final with the Melbourne Storm in 2007 at ANZ Stadium.

As with his Test debut in Wellington, Folau scored a try. Unveiling those famous hops, he scored again during his State of Origin debut for Queensland at ANZ Stadium in 2008.

"As a kid I always wanted to play Origin. To get the chance to play with guys like Darren Lockyer and Billy Slater, guys I'd looked up to, was huge for me," he recalled.

After taking the leap to AFL, Folau went on to make his AFL debut at ANZ Stadium in 2012; although this time in a far more anonymous fashion. The only thing he scored was a dose of harsh reality about the demands of a foreign code.

Big games, big plays and big crowds have been a constant for Folau since he was a teenager, and his ever-present calmness is a result.

"I had to adapt pretty quickly when I was young at the Storm," he said. "I had to learn pretty quickly how to get in my routine, and be able to play how I wanted to play. I am a pretty relaxed sort of guy.

"So throughout my whole career I have never really let pressure get to me. It's not hard for me to overcome. I just have that confidence and belief in myself, that I know what I am doing, you know?"

Seeing is believing when it comes to Folau's confidence - particularly in his short rugby career. Where most league converts take months to develop rugby instincts, Folau's immense talent has not only seen him fit straight in, he's stood out.

"I feel like I have played rugby my whole life," he says.

"I am stoked with the way things have worked out so far, after playing 11 games. I certainly didn't see this from the start of the season, but certainly my experiences in coming to rugby from AFL helped a lot in terms of learning a new game.

"Playing my third code here, it's a bit surreal. Looking back, when I started with the Storm in 2007 when I was 17, I always thought I'd play rugby league for the rest of my career. I never saw any of this coming. It's a blessing."

The above will be pleasant reading for rugby officials sweating on whether Folau will re-sign with rugby or, as rumoured, return to league.

Folau is reticent to talk on the issue, and typically, both sides of the fence will tell you they're "quietly confident". Folau happily admits this: he's enjoying rugby hugely.

"I wish we had a similar season to rugby league, with the amount of (Super) games we play. I feel like I am just getting into the way I want to play now and there's only five games left," he says.

There's a whole Wallabies season yet to start, of course.

Strong speculation emerged yesterday that Folau is locked in for the Wallabies 25-man squad named on Sunday; but now comes the big question: should he start?

Folau is, typically, quietly confident. And based on his ANZ Stadium history alone, who would argue?

"If I was a part of the Wallabies side to play against the British Lions, it would obviously be a massive honour," he says.

"I absolutely understand that and feel that. But yeah, having played for Australia and Queensland in rugby league, at a pretty young age, it definitely has helped me play in big games like that.

"If I did get the opportunity to play for the Wallabies, those experiences would help me a lot. I'd be ready."