Izaia Perese says his desire to feature in the Wallabies’ quest for World Cup glory on home soil is a key motivator behind his return to Australia, as he confirms his homecoming.
The six-time Test centre will rejoin the Queensland Reds through to the end of 2028 – the club where he began his career – after a two-year stint in England with the Leicester Tigers.
Perese becomes the first recruitment under new Wallabies coach Les Kiss, who officially took the reins from Joe Schmidt after Saturday’s 57-10 triumph of Italy.
The 29-year-old will help fill anticipated voids at the Reds, with outside centre Josh Flook leaving for Italian outfit Benetton, and Hunter Paisami and Jock Campbell linked to Japanese rugby defections.
Perese confirmed the allure of the home World Cup in 2027 drew him and his family – including four young children – back to Australian shores, admitting he felt he would finish his career abroad.
“I thought my journey was overseas and that was going to be me for the rest of my career. In Australia, in Queensland, is where I want to be and excited is an understatement,” Perese said.
“It’s an exciting time for rugby in Australia as a whole.
“The Rugby World Cup next year is obviously a goal but what comes first is playing good rugby here at the Reds.
“Playing for your country is the pinnacle. All I can do to get back there is solely going to come from doing my job to the best of my ability for Queensland.
“I spent two years at Leicester, and it was quite challenging as a young family to have no support. I’m home and now having a support network around us is a huge factor as to why I chose the Reds.”
While renowned for his aggressive ball-carrying when he last featured in Super Rugby for the New South Wales Waratahs, Perese teased his comeback would come as “a more rounded player” under the tutelage of incoming Reds coach Vern Cotter.
“You can expect more,” Perese said.
More to come
Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
