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.
piru
Roar Rookie
Ok, well, don't know how to help you then.
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
Love this bloke and what he brings to the club and WA rugby.
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
There’s plenty more too.
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
Spare me the crap old mate.
Jim
Guest
No, I've left school
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
As long as he doesn’t talk like a halfback. Or a TMO.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Ken, I woke up this to real nightmare. :laughing: :laughing:
piru
Roar Rookie
I dunno who this Schopenhauer plays for, but he talks like a fullback.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Sacrilege! Mad. MZ was just testing how many kiwis were reading his posts. Not many it seems.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Piru, Galileo was a very funny dude, though. “All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.” So said Arthur Schopenhauer. But as hard as I’ve looked I cannot see what Artie wrote about the Rise and Rise of The Force. Hodgson has had ambitions before this one, and went perilously close to achieving them. He won a gold jersey against the odds, though not for long. Also saw the Force ‘die’ then return from the grave. He certainly has a ‘whatever it takes’ air about him.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Haha. Blund leading the blind. Sometimes we all (maybe not you) come across "stuff" that isn't made for open publication. That's one of the reasons I enjoy The Roar.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
“ It constantly amazes me that some people (not you Jacko) blindly believe what some dumb journo writes” Yes Bobby, and It constantly amazes me that some people blindly attack anyone who questions what some dumb journo writes.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Yes sadly that is a common affliction. And to be honest I sometimes query what knowledge and research these guys do. I hate seeing things written that are clearly not accurate.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Of course he does. And neither would Aussie Quade either. At least, in QC matter, Brad was truthful. It constantly amazes me that some people (not you Jacko) blindly believe what some dumb journo writes. :happy:
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Yes some sell their soul for $50. I doubt truth or dare is needed. We all know the truth already. I see Rhodda says he and Thorn have no issue with each other.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Haha Jacko. Am aure hed love a chat with his best mate Brad after the Force get the win. Probably a good time for the two of them to have a game of “Truth or Dare” behind closed doors. :happy: also reckon Rodda’s new best mate Twiggy might have upped the $20 to $50.
piru
Roar Rookie
He’s dreaming That's what we did in WA, mate. Didn't you watch the Eurovision finals?
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Nah Bobby he will have signed for another club by the weekend. offered another $20 a week.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
What’s their “fair” share? This isn’t state of origin. It’s professional sport. If QLD and NSW want their locally developed players then all they have to do is offer them decent contracts. In fact I think you’ll find they will stay for less than what the Force and the Rebels sign them for. Anyway I’m not trying to twist any argument. You whinged about players being recruited from QLD and NSW. I pointed out how clueless you were, and how many players from elsewhere were recruited by QLD. You then tried to change the argument to that this didn’t happen when there was only 3 teams. I pointed out again, how clueless you were, that this had always occurred. Can’t speak for WA in the same detail (but could easily rattle off 10 or more) but the Rebels could probably close to fill their 23 with Melbourne raised players or players who would be considered local products in QLD, NSW or ACT, if they hadn’t been recruited by other states or overseas: 1. Tetera Faulkner 2. Jordan Uelese 3. Pone Fa’amasuili 4. Trevor Hosea 5. Seru Uru 6. Pati Leota 7. Pete Samu 8. Rob Valetini 9. Phoenix Hunt (Bris City NRC) 10. Christian Leali’ifano 11. Glenn Vaihu 12. Sione Tuipolitu (Scotland) 13. Hunter Paisami 14. Harry Potter (Leicester) 15. Sione Tui (Stade Francais then Carcassone) 16. Mahe Vailanu 17. John Ulugia 18. 19. Josh Furno (Biarritz) 20. Tala Gray (Stade Francais) 21. 22. Rodney Ioana 23. Mosese Tuipulotu I guess it’s a bit weak at halfback and prop but I’m sure we can just recruit players from somewhere else just like every team in the world has done since professionalism commenced.
Ducky
Guest
Nah. You just can’t defend the fact WA isn’t producing their fair share of test standard players after 17 seasons, so you’re trying to twist the argument. In your frustration and desperation you’ve resorted to personal insults. You must be so upset :laughing: