Israel Folau will become the youngest rugby league player to represent Australia after being named in the team to face New Zealand.
Matai pulls out of Kiwi touring squad
Teenager Israel Folau will become the youngest rugby league player to represent Australia after being named in the team to face New Zealand in the centenary Test in Wellington on October 14.
The 18-year-old Melbourne Storm centre or winger has been called up to replace Justin Hodges, who was ruled out after being diagnosed with an ankle ligament strain.
Dream
"At the beginning of the season I was hoping to play one NRL game, but to play every game, win the NRL premiership and now get a chance to play for my country has exceeded anything I could have ever dreamed of," Folau said.
Falou was named the NRL's rookie of the year and was the competition's leading try-scorer.
Storm coach Craig Bellamy added: "He's got the body to handle it, he's been doing it week in, week out for the whole season.
"He's had a hell of a year. It is going to be a hard one to top in the future. He's been a great player for us all year, his performances each week just forced me to keep picking him."
Matai
Meanwhile, New Zealand centre Steve Matai will miss the forthcoming Test series against Great Britain due to shoulder surgery.
The Manly three-quarter will play against Australia in Wellington next week before an operation to repair a cartilage tear and cyst on his right shoulder.
The recovery period is estimated between three and six months but Matai hopes to be fit for the start of the 2008 NRL season.
