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Wallabies lock Izack Rodda has extended his deal with Rugby Australia and the Western Force until the end of 2024.
Rodda, 25, has played 34 times for the Wallabies and was a member of the 2019 World Cup squad but left the Queensland Reds in acrimonious circumstances.
He played in France in 2020 but returned home to play for the Force, and became a regular in Dave Rennie’s Australian team.
“I’m really excited to commit long term to the Wallabies and the Western Force,” Rodda said in a statement.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the last six months or so, firstly with the Wallabies last year and now with the Force in Super Rugby Pacific.
“It feels to me like both teams are building something special and that’s something I’m looking forward to being a part of.”
Rugby Australia CEO, Andy Marinos said: “Izack’s re-signing is a real positive for Australian Rugby moving forward.”
“He plays in a specialist position and has chosen to stay in Australia to further his International career and help bring success to the Wallabies and the Western Force.
“Rugby Australia’s priorities continue to be targeting and retaining the best Rugby talent in the country.”
Wallabies coach, Dave Rennie said: “We’ve been really impressed with Izack’s attitude and work rate since coming into the environment last year.”
“He’s a world class lock and his long-term commitment to Australian Rugby can’t be understated.
“While just 25 years old, he’s played nearly 40 Tests and has already been to a World Cup.
“His confidence has grown as a leader and that’s evident in the impact he’s having at Test level and at the Force.”
Western Force General Manager of Rugby, Matt Hodgson said: “Izack brings a great level of Super Rugby and international experience, which we are very excited to have at the Force.”
“It’s fantastic for us and Australian Rugby to have elite international players like Izack commit to being a part of our club moving forward.
“As an organisation we are working to become the leading Rugby club in the world and attracting talented players like Izack will help us in that journey.”
Later Rodda told a news conference that he hoped there was no bad blood between himself and Brad Thorn, saying he’d be happy to have a chat with the Queensland Reds coach if their paths cross this Friday night.
The 25-year-old burst onto the scene in 2017 with the Queensland Reds to establish himself as one of the first-picked Wallabies.
But his sudden exit from Ballymore last year, after it was announced that Super Rugby players would have to accept a significant pay cut due to the COVID-19 pandemic, stung the Reds.
Thorn was riled by Rodda’s decision to terminate his contract in order to join Lyon, and he expressed his displeasure again when reports emerged that the star lock was seeking a return to Australian rugby.
“You’ve got a global pandemic, everyone has suffered, players took pay cuts, guys were on JobKeeper,” Thorn said last year shortly before Rodda signed with the Force.
“You don’t dislike that person, but the whole game suffered here … it was hard yakka and a lot of people made sacrifices, so that doesn’t align with our values.”
Rodda viewed his experience in France as an important growth period, and he has no regrets about the move.
The star Wallaby will be the centre of attention on Friday night when the Force host Thorn’s Reds at HBF Park in Perth.
“I honestly thought our relationship was fine, but he said what he said in the media, and that’s totally up to him and his opinion,” Rodda said about Thorn’s comments last year.
“I respect him highly as a player and as a coach, and I don’t have anything bad to say about him as a player or a coach.
“I haven’t spoken to him, but I’m a nice guy and he is as well, and I guess if we crossed paths on the weekend we’d have a chat.
“I don’t think there’s any bad blood there, or I’d like to think there’s no bad blood there. I wouldn’t mind speaking to Thorny, he’s a great guy.”
Rodda has thrived since his move to Perth, excelling for the Wallabies last year and emerging as one of the key men behind the Force’s bright start to the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific season.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the last six months or so, firstly with the Wallabies last year and now with the Force in Super Rugby Pacific,” Rodda said.
“It feels to me like both teams are building something special and that’s something I’m looking forward to being a part of.”
Meanwhile, Rebels’ Reece Hodge is suspended for one week after two yellow cards in the loss to the Force last weekend.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.