Israel Folau has revealed All Blacks legend Jonah Lomu as an unlikely ally in the Wallabies' quest to conquer the rugby world champions and finally return the Bledisloe Cup to Australia.
Folau was crowned Australia's Super Rugby rookie of the year on Thursday after a spectacular debut season in the code and nominated Lomu as one of his inspirations.
The code-hopping dual international said he was pumped for his first meeting with the All Blacks and, assuming he's picked for Saturday week's Rugby Championship opener in Sydney, he'll heed the giant ex-winger's advice.
"Jonah was one of my heroes growing up and I know him personally as well so I talk to him every now and then," Folau told AAP.
"He's a good man and gives you a bit of tips on the side and is always very supportive.
"(He says) to just go out there and back yourself and play to your instincts - he's pretty much the same and the way he played his rugby as well was exceptional."
Already in a storied career, Folau, at 18, was the youngest player in history to make his rugby league Test debut for Australia, he's won multiple State of Origin series with Queensland, an NRL grand final with Melbourne and had two seasons in the AFL.
But he ranks facing the All Blacks as the ultimate challenge, another step up from the Wallabies' series loss to the touring British and Irish Lions this year.
"They're the top team in the world and so you want to challenge yourself against the best players and see how you go," Folau said.
"For me, that's just the ultimate and why I'm so excited.
"I guess everyone gets excited when you get the chance to play against the All Blacks and it's no different for me.
"Even though I've played rugby league and AFL throughout my sporting career, I've always watched rugby since I was young and that's the ultimate in rugby.
"Hopefully I can find myself in the team and it'd be a massive challenge."
Fullback for the Waratahs, Folau is likely to remain on the wing for the Wallabies after producing a dazzling two-try debut against the Lions in Brisbane.
"I can take a lot out of that," he said.
"Playing against them was a great experience and I get a lot of confidence out of it."
Folau, tipped to re-sign with the Waratahs any week now, said he had never even seen a Bledisloe Cup match live.
"But I've always watched the game on TV since I was young," he said.
"So if you get the chance to face them, it's something I'll always remember as a player.
"I was always a Wallabies fan but I obviously looked up to a few players who played for the All Blacks so it's a huge honour to put on the gold jersey."
The rugby revelation suffered a hamstring injury in the first half of the Wallabies' series-deciding loss to the Lions, but on Thursday said he was now back running at 100 per cent and ready to play.
