Who are the parents of the controversial rugby union footballer Israel Folau? Does he have any siblings?
Israel Folau is an Australian professional rugby union footballer who plays for the Shining Arcs in the Japan Rugby League One.
He plays for the Tonga national team and holds the record for most tries scored in Super Rugby history.
Folau has dealt with a lot of controversies; in 2017, Israel’s social media posts and statements about homosexuality brought him into the limelight.
Likewise, in 2020, when he played for Catalans Dragons, he caused an uproar after refusing to take a knee.
Israel Folau Parents
The 1.93 m rugby player was born in Minto, New South Wales, to Tongan parents Amelia and Eni Folau.
Although Israel is in the spotlight, his parents like to live a very private life. Hence, there is not much information on Eni or Amelia.
Israel grew up alongside four brothers and one sister. Eni and Amelia ensured their children had a good childhood and provided the necessities.
The family decided to move to Brisbane after Eni Folau got a job in a sheet metal factory.
Folau grew up as a Mormon but later decided to believe in the Christian faith.
Furthermore, his father’s profession as a pastor has always influenced the rugby player, as Folau has credited his relationship with God as a reason for his athletic success.
Regarding his personal life, Israel is a married man.
On October 23, 2016, Folau announced his engagement to New Zealand netball player Maria Tuta’ia (Folau).
The couple finally tied the knot in Kangaroo Valley, New South Wales, on November 15, 2017, and has one lovely daughter.
Israel Folau Brother John Folau
John Folau is the younger brother of Israel, and like his older brother, he has followed the same path.
He is a rugby league and rugby union footballer who plays for the Sydney Rays.
Coincidentally, he is the same height as his brother Israel; both stand at an impressive 1.93 m.
John, Israel’s brother, began playing football for the Goodna Eagles, Souths Acacia Ridge, and Minto Cobras.
He has also represented the Queensland under-20s team. In October 2014, he played for his birth country Tonga against Papua New Guinea.
In addition, John was named the 18th man for Tonga against Samoa in the 2015 Polynesian Cup.
Although he has had a lot of ups and downs in his career, he decided to quit the rugby league on September 4, 2019.
After quitting rugby league, he signed for the rugby union signing with the Sydney Rays.
Following his move to the National Rugby Championship, John Folau signed with the New South Wales Waratahs, joining his brother Israel.
However, he was released in June 2019, and sadly, he did not even feature once.
