Rodda signs new deal with Australia and Reds

Wallabies lock Izack Rodda has committed his future to Australian Rugby re-signing with Rugby Australia and the Queensland Reds until the end of 2020.

The ten-Test forward has become a mainstay of Michael Cheika’s side ahead of next year’s Rugby World Cup in Japan as he builds his second-row combination with Adam Coleman.

The 22-year old, who only made his Test debut last year, led the line in the Wallabies 23-18 win over South Africa at Suncorp Stadium last Saturday night.

The 119kg lock Izack Rodda said: “I’m very excited to re-sign for two more years and I’m really looking forward to sticking with the Reds and the Wallabies.

“The Reds gave me my first crack and my first contract. I was one year out of school and I haven’t really looked back since.

“It’s an unreal program that’s been growing each year and now that Thorny is the boss, it’s just going in the right direction as a club and all the players want to be there to keep growing that great vibe.

“Honestly, if you had asked me three years ago where I would be, I wouldn’t have said here with the Wallabies.

“It’s come very fast but I have loved every moment of it. In saying that, I still need to work very hard to keep my spot. There’s a lot of competition in my position coming through both the Reds and the Wallabies so it’s going to keep me on my toes.

“I want to try get in the World Cup squad then cement a spot in the 23, and hopefully win a World Cup,” Rodda said.

Rodda went to senior school in Ipswich, Queensland after growing up in Evans Heads on New South Wales’ north coast where he played junior rugby for the Ballina Seahorses.

The second rower is preparing alongside his Wallabies teammates ahead of Australia’s Mitsubishi Estate Rugby Championship Test against Argentina at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast this Saturday night.

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