Schoolmates Inu, Folau clash
By Nick Walshaw
SCHOOLDAYS the routine was always the same.
Israel Folau left home first. Then he found Krisnan Inu. And together they walked the few short blocks through Minto to meet Jarryd Hayne and the biggest question of their day.
"Yeah," Inu laughs. "we had to decide if we were going to school."
Most days there was no contest. Three young Islander boys all played out around the Hayne lounge room, watching The Simpsons, Dragonball Z and battling ferociously at NRL on PlayStation.
Now tonight they get a crack at the real thing.
Close mates since their days at Westfields Sports High, these three young NRL superstars will finally meet for the first time when Melbourne Storm tackle the Parramatta Eels at Olympic Park.
Adding to the hype is the intrigue surrounding Folau and Inu, two deeply religious footballers who grew up together in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and still adhere strictly to the faith today.
No booze. No tobacco. No coffee. No Coca-Cola.
Inu even hinted recently that he would consider leaving the NRL in 2008 to complete a two-year overseas mission.
"Yeah, I've been thinking about it but right now it looks like I'll be staying here, playing footy," Inu said.
"It was something I considered but there are still a lot of things I can do here for my church.
"I mean, (religion) isn't something I'm really comfortable talking to fans about. It's mainly family and friends. But myself and Izzy . . . we can be role models on and off the field."
Inu and Folau still speak regularly by phone and, this week in particular, their conversations revived old backyard matches when Inu, two years Folau's senior, would give his mate a physical towelling.
"But I don't think it will be too bad on the field," Inu smiles.
"We'll be too busy giggling at each other.
Giggling?
Yep, seems little has changed for these easygoing mates who, when Falou stayed overnight in Sydney recently, once again found themselves sitting in a lounge room with controls at the ready.
"Yeah, were still the same," Inu smiles. "Although, actually . . . Izzy has switched over to Xbox."
With thanks to Jack
Posted 17th August 2007
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