He is of Tongan descent and played his junior football for the Goodna Eagles,[3] Souths Acacia Ridge[4] and Minto Cobras, before being signed by the Parramatta Eels.

Folau attended Marsden State High School and Patrician Brothers' College, Blacktown, where he represented the New South Wales Combined Catholic Colleges rugby league team.

[1] In 2015, Folau moved on to the Eels' New South Wales Cup team, Wentworthville Magpies.

[13] In May 2015, Folau was named 18th man for Tonga against Samoa in the 2015 Polynesian Cup.

[14] After being unable to break into the Parramatta first grade side, Folau signed a contract to join the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles for the 2018 Intrust Super Premiership NSW season.