Izaia Perese

Izaia Perese
Born (1997-05-17) 17 May 1997
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Height1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)[1]
Weight94 kg (207 lb; 14 st 11 lb)[1]
School
Rugby union career
Position(s) Centre, Wing
Current team Reds
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2015–2018 Queensland Country 12 (45)
2016–2018 Reds 17 (20)
2020 Bayonne 5 (0)
2021–2024 Waratahs 46 (40)
2024–2026 Leicester Tigers 31 (55)
2027– Reds 0 (0)
Correct as of 13 June 2026
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2014 Australia U18 2 (0)
2017 Australia U20 4 (20)
2021–2023 Australia 6 (0)
Correct as of 13 June 2026

Izaia Perese (born 17 May 1997) is an Australian rugby player who plays centre and wing for the Reds 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 Queensland Country in the National Rugby Championship.[2][3][4]

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.[5][6] 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.[7][8]

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.[9]

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.[10]

Rugby league career

Perese joined the Brisbane Broncos on a train-and-trial deal, later earning a full-time NRL contract with the club.[11][5] 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.[12]

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.[13]

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".[14]

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.[15] In August 2017, he was named in the Wallabies squad for The Rugby Championship but did not play a game.[16]

In December 2018, Perese was released from the last year of his contract with the Reds.[17][18]

In May 2020 Izaia Perese announced his return to Rugby Union, playing for Bayonne in the French top 14.[19]

Perese signed on with the Waratahs until 2024[20] 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.[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[22] ahead of their 2027 season.[23] Perese stated upon his signing that his goal was to earn selection into the Wallabies squad for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.[22]

Career statistics

Club

As of 12 June 2026.[24][25]
Statistics by club, season and competition
Club Season League Other[a] Total
DivisionAppsTriesPointsAppsTriesPointsAppsTriesPoints
Queensland Country 2015 National Rugby Championship 2210—2210
2016 5420—5420
2017 4315—4315
Total 11945—11945
Reds 2017 Super Rugby 12315—12315
2018 515—515
Total 17420—17420
Bayonne 2020–21 Top 14 500—500
Waratahs 2021 Super Rugby AU 500—500
2021 Super Rugby Trans-Tasman 415—415
2022 Super Rugby Pacific 1115—1115
2023 14420—14420
2024 12210—12210
Total 46840—46840
Leicester Tigers 2024–25 Premiership 10315531515630
2025–26 10315621016525
Total 2063011525311155
Career total 99271351152511032160

International

As of 12 June 2026.[24][25]
Statistics by team and year
Team Year Statistic
AppsTriesPoints
Australia 2021 200
2022 100
2023 300
Total 600

Notes

  1. ↑ Matches in the Premiership Rugby Cup and the Champions Cup.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Izaia Perese Signs with Queensland Reds and Rugby Australia". reds.rugby. Queensland Rugby Union. 20 July 2026. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  2. ↑ "Izaia Perese Queensland Country Player Profile". Reds Rugby. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  3. ↑ "Izaia Perese itsrugby Player Statistics". itsrugby. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  4. ↑ "Izaia Perese Reds Player Profile". Reds Rugby. Archived from the original on 25 November 2015. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  5. 1 2 Queensland Reds convert Izaia Perese impresses at first Brisbane Broncos hitout. NRL (11 December 2018). Retrieved on 2019-08-29.
  6. ↑ Category. The Courier Mail. Retrieved on 29 August 2019.
  7. ↑ Lachlan Lanskey selected for Queensland after a stellar 2013 | Queensland Times. Qt.com.au (1 May 2013). Retrieved on 2019-08-29.
  8. ↑ Ex-Red’s time arrives to launch NRL career The Australian (subscription required)
  9. ↑ Rugby news. rugbynews.net.au
  10. ↑ "Troubled Izaia Perese back in union after securing Top 14 deal". 29 May 2020.
  11. ↑ 2019 NRL rosters: Official squads updated for all teams. NRL (4 March 2019). Retrieved on 2019-08-29.
  12. ↑ Big changes to XXXX Queensland Residents team. QRL (7 May 2019). Retrieved on 2019-08-29.
  13. ↑ Brisbane Broncos will unleash former Queensland Reds star Izaia Perese off the bench. NRL (15 August 2019). Retrieved on 2019-08-29.
  14. ↑ "Broncos stand down Perese after drug charges". www.nrl.com. 18 February 2020.
  15. ↑ Izaia Perese. RUGBY.com.au. Retrieved on 29 August 2019.
  16. ↑ Wallabies 2017 TRC Squad – Sanzar. Super.rugby. Retrieved on 29 August 2019.
  17. ↑ 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.
  18. ↑ Perese pulls pin on Reds, set for NRL switch. RUGBY.com.au (10 December 2018). Retrieved on 2019-08-29.
  19. ↑ "Troubled Izaia Perese back in union after securing Top 14 deal". 29 May 2020.
  20. ↑ "Wallabies starlet Izaia Perese reveals why he re-signed with the Waratahs". 7 March 2022.
  21. ↑ "Tigers confirm signing of Wallabies Centre Izaia Perese". Leicester Tigers (12 March 2024). Retrieved on 2024-03-21.
  22. 1 2 Monteverde, Marco (20 July 2026). "Izaia Perese signs for Queensland Reds in major boost for Australian rugby". News.com.au. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  23. ↑ Williamson, Nathan (20 July 2026). "Izaia Perese returns to Australian Rugby, signs with Queensland Reds". Rugby.com.au. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  24. 1 2 "Izaia Perese: Stats – All Rugby". all.rugby. All Rugby.
  25. 1 2 "Izaia Perese Career Stats | Rugby Database". rugbydatabase.co.nz. Rugby Database.
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