Robert Leota (born 3 March 1997) is an Australian professional rugby union player who plays as a blind-side flanker and number 8 for Bayonne in the French Top 14. He has spent the majority of his professional playing career at the Melbourne Rebels in Super Rugby, being the first home-grown player to both sign a playing contract for the club, and to be selected as captain. He has internationally represented Australia on 21 occasions .
Rugby career Leota attended Thornbury High School,RA & the private schoolboy image ABC News 14 June 2023 and during his junior rugby years, Leota was teammates with actor Jacob Elordi.
Leota made his professional debut for the Melbourne Rebels against the Crusaders as a replacement in a heavy defeat at AMI Stadium.
After the collapse of the Rebels, Leota joined the Waratahs for the 2025 Super Rugby Season
In April 2025, Leota signed a two-year deal with French club Bayonne, beginning in the 2025–26 Top 14 season.
International rugby career Leota was named in 's team for the 2021 Rugby Championship match against , played on the Gold Coast. He made his test debut in the 74th minute of the match, with winning 28–26 against the World Cup champions.
Statistics
Season Team Games Starts Sub Mins Tries Cons Pens Drops Points Yel Red 2016 1 0 1 27 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2017 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2018 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2019 13 3 10 394 1 0 0 0 5 0 0 2020 6 1 5 129 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2020 AU 6 0 6 108 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2021 AU 7 3 4 304 1 0 0 0 5 0 0 2021 TT 5 5 0 376 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2022 6 6 0 445 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2023 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Total 44 18 26 1,772 2 0 0 0 10 0 0
Personal life Leota is of Samoan heritage.
References
External links Rob Leota at Wallabies