Is this kid the next Izzy?
The Minto Cobras juniors reckon they've unearthed another budding NRL superstar in young teen sensation Raui Poaru.
The 11-team junior club in Sydney's western suburbs, which boasts 160 players and developed rugby league's hottest young star, is convinced Poaru can follow in Israel Folau's footsteps.
"This kid is definitely not your average player, trust me," Cobras president Wayne Potts told AAP when asked to rate the club's "next big thing".
"He's bigger and faster than `Izzy' at the same age and he cleans kids up in defence. He's got the world at his feet."
Potts said talent scouts from NRL clubs were heading to Liverpool on Saturday to watch Poaru play against the All Saints at Hillier Oval.
The Cobras have produced a several representative players apart from Folau - the youngest player to pull on an Australian jumper.
Hooker John Skandalis, the McGuinness brothers - Ken and Kevin - and the Paea boys - Eddie, Mickey and Lopini, who all turned out for Tonga in last year's World Cup - played their junior football for the Minto Cobras.
NRL clubs headed by the Bulldogs are not the only ones interested in Poaru, who is set to be the centre of a tug-of-war with rugby union scouts looking for fresh new talent also circling the exciting 13-year-old.
Having already let one Folau slip through their fingers, Wests Tigers could also be expected to join the fight for his signature.
A promising athlete who shines in both the 200m and triple jump, Poaru has a scholarship to attend Westfield Sports High where Folau and Parramatta teammates Jarryd Hayne and Feliti Mateo studied and played before making their marks in rugby league.
Like Folau, who's christian name is really Isileli not Israel, Poaru's birth name is Joakim but he prefers to be called Raui.
Folau put the spotlight on his junior club after scoring a club-record-equalling four tries last weekend, recalling he'd once crossed eight times in a match for the Cobras as a 12 year-old.
Potts, who's been president of the club for 18 years, said the lanky, skinny kid who walked into the Townson Oval ground several years ago was always going to be something special.
"His coach Gary Theoald always knew he was going to be a star," said Potts.
"He was pretty quick, played in the centres and scored lots and lost of tries.
"Now we've got another kid just like him.
"He's a similar style - tall, big with lightning speed and a good defender and he also plays in the centres.
"He'll be the next kid to go through to the NRL."
Poaru, one of six children whose elder brother, Junior, plays for Cairns in the FOGS Cup in Queensland, has already played representative rugby league and been selected in the NSW rugby union schoolboys side.
"League and rugby union both want him but he likes league," said Potts.
"His father, Terepo, is rugby league big time, so that may influence him when the time comes."
With Folau blazing the trail, the sky could be the limit for the latest Minto Cobra.
