Joe Schmidt’s plans for next year’s British and Irish Lions series have been dealt a fresh blow, with Izaia Perese confirming he has joined Dan McKellar’s Leicester Tigers.
The tackle-busting midfielder, who delivered an eye-catching performance against Portugal in last year’s World Cup in his sole match in the tournament, has signed a two-year deal with the Tigers. It’s likely his departure is a result of the impending arrival of Joseph Suaalii from the Sydney Roosters.
“I just want to let you know first-hand that this will be my last season, and I’ve signed for two years over at Leicester Tigers,” Perese said in a statement to fans on Thursday.
“It was a very, very difficult decision to make, but it was also the best decision to make for me and my family going forward.
“Thank you so much for your support over the last four seasons. I’m going to be finishing this season off strong, and putting it all into this week’s game.”
Waratahs coach Darren Coleman said in a statement: “Izaia has been a terrific performer and team member for the Waratahs over the last three years and whilst it is sad to see him leave, we wish Izzy and his family all the best in the next phase of his career.”
Izaia Perese of the Waratahs is tackled during the round four Super Rugby Pacific match between NSW Waratahs and Blues at Allianz Stadium, on March 16, 2024, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)
The move isn’t a surprise, but it will leave Schmidt without one of Australia’s most powerful centres at a time when gain-line metres in the midfield are precious gold.
Given Rugby Australia is desperate to try and keep players onshore in the lead-up to the home 2027 Rugby World Cup, Schmidt is unlikely to be able to call on the services of Perese.
With fellow World Cup squad member Samu Kerevi based in Japan, Perese’s departure will stretch Australia’s depth in the position.
His departure also increases the need for RA to keep the off-contract Hunter Paisami, with the Reds centre the only other direct-running midfielder able to continually dent the gain-line.
Suaalii, of course, is another option at outside centre but it remains to be seen what position the 20-year-old NRL star will settle in.
Whether Schmidt opts to select Perese this year remains to be seen, but the highly respected coach has previously spoken about the need for the Wallabies to get back to winning ways after claiming just two of nine Tests in 2023 – both during the World Cup against opposition outside the top 10.
But Schmidt must also put this year’s jam-packed calendar in the context of the Wallabies starting their international season next year against the Lions.
Izaia Perese gave Australian fans a reminder of his potency with the ball during an eye-catching display against Portugal at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard on October 01, 2023 in Saint-Etienne. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
In a 50-50 selection, Perese’s pending departure would likely play against him.
He isn’t the only Wallabies World Cup member heading overseas, with Mark Nawaqanitawase also leaving Australian rugby at season’s end.
For now, both backs will have crucial roles to play for the Waratahs starting on Saturday against the Drua in Fiji.
Not only will Nawaqanitawase run out for his 50th Super Rugby appearance, but he will do so in front of his extended family.
One of several players in the squad with Fijian heritage, Nawaqanitawase’s father’s family live in Nalebaleba, about two hours away from Churchill Park.
The ground, which seats about 14,000, will be packed to the rafters even though Nawaqanitawase’s cousin, Jone Koroiduadua, didn’t make the Drua 23 for the crucial round-five clash after starting in their past two games.
“I think the whole village is trying to get out there, which would be pretty cool,” Nawaqanitawase said before the Waratahs flew out on Thursday.
“It’s just hard to find some tickets because they’ve already sold out the whole thing.
“So it’s been pretty special. It’s very special to have a Fijian side in Super Rugby Pacific, and for a lot of the boys who have Fijian heritage, it’s pretty cool to be able to go back to where the families are from and play in front of them.
“It’s very exciting for all of us.”
Mark Nawaqanitawase is excited to take on the Drua in Fiji. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)
Both sides enter the match with a one-from-four record this campaign and struggling to stay in touch with the competition pacesetters, with the Waratahs ninth and Drua 10th on the 12-team ladder.
The Waratahs boast a 4-0 winning record over the Pacific Islanders, but have never played the Drua at home.
Intriguingly, both sides’ only wins this season have come against the defending champions, the Crusaders.
Asked what makea the Drua so dangerous on home soil, Nawaqanitawase shrugged: “They’re Fiji.
“They obviously love the game over there. It’s the No.1 sport and every team the Drua runs out you can see on the TV how packed it is and the fans go crazy.
“The players use that energy on the field, and I’m sure it’s going to be a big crowd out there.
“We’ll have a tough day, but I’m sure our boys are ready for it.”
With AAP
Rocky's Rules
Roar Rookie
@Wolla Foketi has play several Tests and gone ok in all of em. Paisami has played many and been worst player on feild in all of em :stoked:
Rocky's Rules
Roar Rookie
@Leroy You went to a lot of trouble to list meaningless stats. 1) I don't beleive the accuracy of alleged "official" stats. 2) Flook, Ikitau and Perese have not each played all games this season. 3) You're obviously a Queenslander. I admit Flook is better than Paisami but he's still not test standard imo :laughing:
El Gamba
Roar Guru
Hahaha, not much of a segue at all!!
Cec
Roar Rookie
IP is a talented player but this news is only a moderate blow for the 13 position. WB have a few options there.
Short-Blind
Roar Rookie
To be frank Chrisy, I haven't seen too much 'power running' from Suaalii at the Roosters. He is often used as a decoy because of his size and primarily used as an 'air jumper' because of his leap. Union defences are tighter (less space) then NRL and at his schoolboy level union experiences where he carved it up. He's a competent athlete but I'm betting he won't be an instant sensation like Folau was.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
Money. Mark was offered tons in revenge from the Roosters against Suaalii being offered tons. He'd earn a lot more at Leicester Tigers but not as much as France you'd think.
jimmy jones
Roar Rookie
money talks, with a new guy coming in on 5 times his wage why would he hang around
J Joseph
Roar Rookie
Is this a money thing? What would he earn at Leicester compared to playing at the Waratahs and possibly Australia? Same question about Nawaqanitawase (gone before most people have worked out how to pronounce his name). What would he earn at the Roosters compared to rugby? Is it money, or is there something else?
Brumby Jack's acquaintance
Roar Rookie
That's a hell of a segue El Gamba. Was Parliament house mentioned in the article and I missed it?
Wolla Wotsa
Roar Rookie
Foketi test standard centre.?That makes me chuckle. :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Wolla Wotsa
Roar Rookie
"Fresh Wallabies blow" You make it sound like he was a certain starter and it's a blow if the Wallabies dont have him? Goodness Gracious me.
Big Dave
Roar Rookie
I agree, he's had long enough and still won't learn his lessons. He does a couple of good things every game to make people think he's a gun, but I'll take someone who can do the basics consistently any day of the week.
LuckyPhil
Roar Rookie
RA need to embrace one of the big selling points of rugby, regardless of the impact this has on Super Rugby. With rugby, you can be a professional and play in Sydney, Paris, Tokyo, Dublin or London. With league you can play in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Auckland, Liverpool or Leeds. RA should embrace this difference. Let players go overseas and still be eligible for the Wallabies. It has the potential to strengthen the Wallabies, which as the number one source of revenue can only be good for rugby in Australia.
Leroy14
Roar Rookie
Let’s look at some statistics for the 4 games thus far. Ikitau: 24 carries for 141m. 11 defenders beaten 3 clean breaks with 4 offloads. 1 try assist and 0 trys 3 kicks in hand for 112m 3 penalties conceded with one yellow card. 77% tackle success, 20 of 26 1 handling error. 62min average per game. Flook: 28 carries for 184m 7 defenders beaten 5 clean breaks with 2 offloads 1 try assist and 4 trys 3 kicks in hand for 90m 0 penalties conceded with no cards 81% tackle success, 34 of 42 3 handling errors. 78mins average a game I’d say that Flook is currently at least on par if not better than Ikitau considering how their teams are playing. Flook hasn’t played for the Wallabies so we can’t do that comparison. The argument for Foketi being 12 is pretty fair in my view. I hope he recovers quickly.
Mirt
Roar Rookie
Well at least RA can save money on jerseys if they only have to make 11 for the squad
LuckyPhil
Roar Rookie
As opposed to going to the NH where no clubs have gone bust in the last few years...well except for London Irish, Wasps, Worcester...
Mactruck
Roar Rookie
Let’s be real as well. HP is just too small for test level. He keep getting injured because he is playing like he is 25kg heavier than he is. We are very light on in the centres. Can flook ply IC?
Tuc Du Nard
Roar Rookie
Izzy is defs one dimensional but will improve at Leicester …but with Ikitau now injured and was badly out of form (virtually no breaks compared with pre-injury last year) -13 is up for grabs. Flook now in front but there’s still plenty of rounds left. IC is also vacant and was so disappointed when Henry went down as I think he has huge potential and Paisami is also too one dimensional…. Centre pairings a bit of a worry for the Wallabies.
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
CD, Flook / Ikitau don't play for the Tahs! :silly: :laughing:
Christy Doran
Editor
Word is that Suaalii will play 13 for the Tahs, which gives them another power runner. But injuries can change that. Either way, there's got to be one power runner in the midfield. My preference is for that to be at 12, with a Flook/Ikitau at 13.