Izaia Perese (born 17 May 1997) is an Australian rugby player who plays centre and wing for the in the Super Rugby and the Australia national team. He previously played rugby league for the Brisbane Broncos in the National Rugby League (NRL), although he began his career in rugby union playing as an outside back for the Queensland Reds in Super Rugby and for in the National Rugby Championship.

Early life and youth career Perese was born in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

He played his junior rugby league for Brisbane Brothers in Stafford and attended Wavell State High School.Queensland Reds convert Izaia Perese impresses at first Brisbane Broncos hitout. NRL (11 December 2018). Retrieved on 2019-08-29.Category. The Courier Mail. Retrieved on 29 August 2019. In 2013, Perese played for the Norths Devils in the Cyril Connell Cup and represented the Queensland under-16 rugby league team, while holding a scholarship with the North Queensland Cowboys.Lachlan Lanskey selected for Queensland after a stellar 2013 | Queensland Times. Qt.com.au (1 May 2013). Retrieved on 2019-08-29.Ex-Red’s time arrives to launch NRL career The Australian (subscription required)

While attending Anglican Church Grammar School, he played alongside future NRL players Kalyn Ponga, Jaydn Su'A and Brodie Croft, as well as future professional Rugby Union players in Liam Wright, Angus Scott-Young, Mack Mason and Harley Fox in their 2014 title-winning first XV team. Later that year, he was selected for the Australian Schoolboys rugby union team.Rugby news. rugbynews.net.au

In March 2020 Perese pleaded guilty to supplying a dangerous drug in September 2019, but had a probation order for drug charges removed by a court to allow him to travel overseas.

Rugby league career Perese joined the Brisbane Broncos on a train-and-trial deal, later earning a full-time NRL contract with the club.2019 NRL rosters: Official squads updated for all teams. NRL (4 March 2019). Retrieved on 2019-08-29. He began the season playing for the Redcliffe Dolphins in the Queensland Cup, representing the Queensland Residents side in their win over New South Wales.Big changes to XXXX Queensland Residents team. QRL (7 May 2019). Retrieved on 2019-08-29.

In round 22 of the 2019 NRL season, Perese made his NRL debut for Brisbane in their 24–12 win against the Penrith Panthers at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.Brisbane Broncos will unleash former Queensland Reds star Izaia Perese off the bench. NRL (15 August 2019). Retrieved on 2019-08-29.

On 18 February, Perese was stood down indefinitely by the Brisbane club after being charged by police with drug-related offences. Perese was later granted bail and is due back in court on 9 March 2020. Brisbane CEO Paul White released a statement saying “Standing down Izaia is not a judgement of his guilt or innocence, but recognition that this is a serious matter, We have discussed our course of action and the reasoning behind it with Izaia, and he understands the action we have taken. We will review the matter as it moves through the legal process".

Rugby union career In 2015, Perese began playing for Queensland Country in the National Rugby Championship. In 2016, he joined the Queensland Reds senior squad, playing 17 games over three seasons.Izaia Perese. RUGBY.com.au. Retrieved on 29 August 2019. In August 2017, he was named in the Wallabies squad for The Rugby Championship but did not play a game.Wallabies 2017 TRC Squad – Sanzar. Super.rugby. Retrieved on 29 August 2019.

In December 2018, Perese was released from the last year of his contract with the Reds.NRL 2018: Wallabies rising star Izaia Perese leaves rugby union to join rugby league, Brisbane Broncos. Fox Sports (10 December 2018). Retrieved on 2019-08-29.Perese pulls pin on Reds, set for NRL switch. RUGBY.com.au (10 December 2018). Retrieved on 2019-08-29.

In May 2020 Izaia Perese announced his return to Rugby Union, playing for Bayonne in the French top 14.

Perese signed on with the Waratahs until 2024 having previously been used as a Winger for the Reds, Perese made the switch to Centre while playing for the Waratahs.

In March 2024 it was announced that Perese will be joining the English Rugby club Leicester Tigers on a multi-million dollar deal. Leicester Tigers (12 March 2024). Retrieved on 2024-03-21. Perese made his debut for Leicester on 21 September 2024, in a 17–14 win against Exeter Chiefs

In July 2026, it was announced by Rugby Australia (RA) that Perese signed for the Queensland Reds on a two-year deal ahead of their 2027 season. Perese stated upon his signing that his goal was to earn selection into the Wallabies squad for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

Career statistics Club

+ Statistics by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueOtherTotalDivisionAppsTriesPointsAppsTriesPointsAppsTriesPoints Queensland Country 2015 National Rugby Championship 2 2 10 — 2 2 10 2016 5 4 24 — 5 4 24 2017 4 3 15 — 4 3 15 Total 11 9 49 — 11 9 49 2017 Super Rugby 12 3 15 — 12 3 15 2018 5 1 5 — 5 1 5 Total 17 4 20 — 17 4 20 Bayonne 2020–21 Top 14 5 0 0 — 5 0 0 2021 Super Rugby AU 5 0 0 — 5 0 0 2021 Super Rugby Trans-Tasman 4 1 5 — 4 1 5 2022 Super Rugby Pacific 11 1 5 — 11 1 5 2023 14 4 20 — 14 4 20 2024 12 2 10 — 12 2 10 Total 46 8 40 — 46 8 40 Leicester Tigers 2024–25 Premiership 10 3 15 5 3 15 15 6 30 2025–26 10 3 15 6 2 10 16 5 25 Total 20 6 30 11 5 25 31 11 55 Career total 99 27 135 11 5 25 110 32 160

International

+ Statistics by team and yearTeamYearStatisticAppsTriesPoints Australia 2021 2 0 0 2022 1 0 0 2023 3 0 0 Total 6 0 0

Notes

References

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