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Code-hopping Izaia Perese to stay in Australian rugby
By Sam Smith
Code-hopping Wallabies prospect Izaia Perese has peneed a new deal that will keep in Australia until the end of 2024.
Perese joined the Sydney-based Super Rugby Pacific team last year and fought his way into Dave Rennie's 2021 Wallabies squad, making his debut against Scotland in Edinburgh on the year-end tour.
The 24-year-old made an immediate impression in his debut season in sky blue, becoming only the second player, after Wallabies captain Michael Hooper, to win the Matt Burke Cup in his first year at the club.
Perese, a prospective Test player, represented Australia's Schoolboys and Under 20s before making his Super Rugby debut for Queensland as a 19-year-old in 2016.
The Waratahs have offered Perese a two-year contract for 2021 and 2022. Perese is a muscular ball carrier and aggressive defender who can have an impact on both sides of the ball and can play a variety of positions across the backline. The centre is the latest national star to commit to Australian Rugby ahead of next year's Rugby World Cup in France.
"A major part of me re-signing is my happiness, I just love the Waratahs and everything they are about, and I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity that the Waratahs gave me last season," said Perese. “The whole organisation from the coaching staff, players, and admin office opened their arms and looked after me making me feel incredibly welcome. So, it was an easy decision to extend my time here.
“I genuinely believe we are building something pretty special here at the Waratahs under Darren Coleman, Jason Gilmore, Chris Whitaker, and Pauli Taumoepeau. Our playing group is one of a kind and it’s an environment that has allowed me to play my best footy and a place I want to stick around and be a part of.
“It’s a similar feeling in what Dave Rennie is doing with the Wallabies and the culture he has established in his time there. I’m extremely grateful for the experience I got on the Spring Tour last year and it’s a team I’m incredibly motivated to be a part of, especially with a Rugby World Cup not too far away.”
Wallabies coach Dave Rennie said it was a 'great result' for Australian Rugby.
“He has a real point of difference in the way he can create genuine impact on both sides of the ball.
“We feel he’s still scratching the surface of what he’s capable of as a player and this new contract will allow him to settle in Sydney with his young family which will create a positive environment for him to continue to grow."
Waratahs head coach Darren Coleman said: “Izzy is a genuine powerhouse that could lay claim to being one of the most powerful ball carriers in Australian Rugby. We are delighted that he’s decided to re-commit to the Waratahs as he is an incredibly sought-after player and it’s a good reflection of the trajectory we are on."
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Latest Comments
Cane shouldn’t have been one last year, based purely on performances. Lakai is as close to a like for like of swap of Savea you’re ever likely to find, based on his short career so far at least. He has many of the same qualities - very strong ball carrier, great at the breakdown, and an absolute work horse on defence. I feel like he and Sititi could lead the way in the loose at the next WC.
I think we have become obsessed with replacing Kaino with someone exactly like him. Kaino was a perfect foil for the other loose forwards we had at the time. Based on the talent we have around at the moment those players could be made up in the aggregate by three players who are all exception all rounders - Lakai, Sititi, and Savea. Missing some height for sure but Sititi’s defensive work in the line out last year was phenomenal. He gets off the ground so quickly and was able to steal a couple of balls off the top of the springbok line out.
If our young locks coming through can actually stay fit long enough to get selected, it seems inevitable that Va’ai could end up in a hybrid 6/lock role.
Go to commentsWas strange game, full of errors and the usual refereeing decisions. Both teams suffered as a result but Ospreys discipline was a major factor. I think this weekend will be different as the Ospreys will pick a full strength team but Scarlets will gain confidence in the fact that only Tipuric was missing in the forwards and they dominated that pack for the whole 80 minutes. If they can repeat that dominance at scrum and breakdown then the Scarlets backs will always have more to offer on the front foot.
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