MEET the young gun who could very well become the next Israel Folau.

His name is Tyrone Taukamo and he’s the most in demand schoolboy for any code in the country.

A graduate of acclaimed rugby school Newington College, Taukamo has attracted interest from 15 of the 16 NRL clubs and received two substantial offers in French rugby from Toulon and Bordeaux.

In fact, the money he’s been offered from the French clubs is in the six figures.

It’s unheard of for a player who is only 17 to land that kind of a deal.

Yet, in some good news for league fans, the young centre looks set to shun the big money offers to stay in Australia and sign a deal in the NRL. Either the Rabbitohs or Raiders are set to win his signature.

“Despite receiving interest elsewhere, he’s decided to pursue rugby league,” his manager Craig Baker told foxsports.com.au.

Second from the left, back row — Tyrone Taukamo next to whiz kid Kalyn Ponga. Source: Supplied

“With the interest shown and the way the clubs courted him, it was an easy decision in the end.

“When Toulon approached him, the richest club in the world, he seriously considered it; however, with NRL clubs getting him on team buses and going above and beyond that convinced him that rugby league is the way he will develop to be the best player he can be.”

Baker would not say which of the 16 NRL clubs had shown zero interest in Taukamo.

Turning 18 next year, Taukamo’s a big lump of a lad and has drawn comparisons to Joey Leilua thanks to his skillset.

At 112kg and 187cm, not only does Taukamo hit like a truck, but he’s fast and skilful.

While several clubs pulled out all the stops in a bid to sign the youngster, from sitting sideline on the bench at a game, driving with the coach to another or a pitch meeting with the entire NYC and NRL coaching staff, the decision will come down to two.

Foxsports.com.au can reveal either Canberra or South Sydney will land his prized signature, with a decision to be made prior to pre-season training which kicks-off in November.

Identified as a star on the rise from a young age, in 2013 at the age of 14, he was named as part of Laurie Daley’s emerging junior Blues side.

Having represented NSW in league and union from the age of 12, he is only the third player to be selected for the Oz Merit league 15s team at the age of 14.

The second player to achieve such a feat was Cowboys sensation Kalyn Ponga.

The duo were named together in that side in what was Ponga’s second year as part of the Oz Merit team.

“When he played at the Australian schoolboys he played centres but in union he played centre, fullback and wing,” Baker said.

Tyrone Taukamo in his NSW emerging team training gear. Source: Supplied

“NRL clubs are looking at him as a centre although there was one club looking at using him as a centre-backrower.”

And it’s not just on the footy field where he excels. Taukamo still holds state age records in shot put with his name alongside the likes of Eels star Tepai Moeroa and former Test centre Jamal Idris.

He was first a member of the NSW 18s 7s team at the age of 16 and in the NSW 18s Schoolboys both last year and this year before being selected into the Australian Barbarians union team that beat Tonga last month.

A product of South Sydney, Taukamo is Australian born but has New Zealand, Tonga and Greek heritage which makes him eligible for both the Kangaroos and Kiwis.

This writer is on Twitter @Nath_Ryan

Download the new FOX SPORTS App to get the latest news and scores from your NRL team.