KEY POINTS:
SYDNEY - Rugby league great Mal Meninga says critics should ease off the hype surrounding Melbourne teen sensation Israel Folau and let him develop without expectation.
Folau has produced a remarkable rookie season in the National Rugby League (NRL) and his towering stature and powerful body have drawn comparisons with former Canberra centre Meninga.
But the former Australian test captain and current Queensland coach said the media should ease off Folau and allow the 18-year-old to forge his own reputation rather than be labelled with an unnecessary tag.
"There's enough pressure on the kid as it is to be honest with you," Meninga said.
"The kid is just trying to make his mark on the Melbourne Storm team at the moment.
"There's no doubt about him and he's a great player at the moment and only time will tell about where his talents are going to take him to.
"(But) I think the less pressure the better."
Folau has been a revelation for the Storm, stunning club insiders with his rapid development into a fulltime first-grader this year, in which he's played every game and set a club record for the most tries in a season.
He finished level with North Queensland flyer Matt Bowen on 21 tries for the regular season to top the NRL.
His superb season will prompt a bidding war when he is off contract next year, with the Australian Rugby Union also circling the teenager.
Folau is already being touted as an Australian test and Queensland State of Origin star, but Maroons coach Meninga said the towering winger/centre would need to keep impressing in 2008 to force his way into the Origin arena.
Queensland have won the past two Origin series and boast a test-laden backline, including Kangaroos Greg Inglis, Justin Hodges, Brent Tate and Karmichael Hunt.
"Next year is going to be a difficult one for him," Meninga said.
"He's made his mark this year which is fantastic and he's got to keep that level of performance up and hopefully improve in the play.
"There's some tremendous candidates, particularly in the backline of the Queensland side so it's not clear cut."
- AAP
