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Code-hopping Izaia Perese to stay in Australian rugby

By Sam Smith
Izaia Perese (Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)

Code-hopping Wallabies prospect Izaia Perese has peneed a new deal that will keep in Australia until the end of 2024.

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Perese joined the Sydney-based Super Rugby Pacific team last year and fought his way into Dave Rennie’s 2021 Wallabies squad, making his debut against Scotland in Edinburgh on the year-end tour.

The 24-year-old made an immediate impression in his debut season in sky blue, becoming only the second player, after Wallabies captain Michael Hooper, to win the Matt Burke Cup in his first year at the club.

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Perese, a prospective Test player, represented Australia’s Schoolboys and Under 20s before making his Super Rugby debut for Queensland as a 19-year-old in 2016.

The Waratahs have offered Perese a two-year contract for 2021 and 2022. Perese is a muscular ball carrier and aggressive defender who can have an impact on both sides of the ball and can play a variety of positions across the backline. The centre is the latest national star to commit to Australian Rugby ahead of next year’s Rugby World Cup in France.

“A major part of me re-signing is my happiness, I just love the Waratahs and everything they are about, and I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity that the Waratahs gave me last season,” said Perese. “The whole organisation from the coaching staff, players, and admin office opened their arms and looked after me making me feel incredibly welcome. So, it was an easy decision to extend my time here.

“I genuinely believe we are building something pretty special here at the Waratahs under Darren Coleman, Jason Gilmore, Chris Whitaker, and Pauli Taumoepeau. Our playing group is one of a kind and it’s an environment that has allowed me to play my best footy and a place I want to stick around and be a part of.

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“It’s a similar feeling in what Dave Rennie is doing with the Wallabies and the culture he has established in his time there. I’m extremely grateful for the experience I got on the Spring Tour last year and it’s a team I’m incredibly motivated to be a part of, especially with a Rugby World Cup not too far away.”

Wallabies coach Dave Rennie said it was a ‘great result’ for Australian Rugby.

“He has a real point of difference in the way he can create genuine impact on both sides of the ball.

“We feel he’s still scratching the surface of what he’s capable of as a player and this new contract will allow him to settle in Sydney with his young family which will create a positive environment for him to continue to grow.”

Waratahs head coach Darren Coleman said: “Izzy is a genuine powerhouse that could lay claim to being one of the most powerful ball carriers in Australian Rugby. We are delighted that he’s decided to re-commit to the Waratahs as he is an incredibly sought-after player and it’s a good reflection of the trajectory we are on.”

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Jonathan Foster 2 hours ago
Scott Lawrence: 'I think the forward pass for the Fiji try was a pivotal moment in the game'

In this match, Fiji’s performance was exceptional, and the statistics reflect that they were the superior team on the day.


For instance:


Possession: Fiji controlled 59% of the possession during the match, while the USA only had 41% (RugbyPass, 2024). This allowed Fiji to apply constant pressure on USA’s defense and create more opportunities for scoring.


Territory: Fiji spent 64% of the match in USA’s half, keeping the Americans under sustained pressure (World Rugby, 2024).


Offensive Play: Fiji made 7 line breaks, compared to USA’s 3. In addition, Fiji completed 12 offloads while USA only managed 5, highlighting Fiji's superior attacking ability and ball handling (World Rugby, 2024).


Scrums and Rucks: Fiji was dominant in the scrums, winning 100% of their own scrums (8 out of 8), whereas USA only won 71% of theirs (5 out of 7).


Additionally, Fiji won 6 turnovers compared to USA’s 2 (ESPN, 2024). This scrummaging and breakdown superiority was a critical factor in controlling the game.


Additionally, while forward passes can be contentious, it’s important to note that USA was also guilty of making 3 forward passes during the match, which resulted in lost opportunities and turnovers (RugbyPass, 2024).


These key errors disrupted momentum and contributed to their inability to maintain a sustained attack.


References

ESPN. (2024). Fiji vs USA match report. Retrieved from https://www.espn.com/rugby/match


RugbyPass. (2024). Scott Lawrence on the Fiji match and forward pass controversy. Retrieved from https://www.rugbypass.com/news


World Rugby. (2024). Fiji triumphs over USA in a thrilling encounter. Retrieved from https://www.world.rugby.com

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JW 4 hours ago
‘Did Conrad really score that many’: Rieko Ioane dismisses All Blacks drought

Indeed, but I also appreciate how Razor now has him covering the backfield more. Are they conflicting uses? Who was it that covered the Arg game, John(?), no it was a YTer (squidge?) suggested Jordies role was to chase and support the wing for a tap back.


That turnover try was actually a great example of were Jordies boot could have been used for territory instead of attacking (contestable). Hansen talking again about 'learnings' about what part of the field they want to play in. I would have thought that would be a basic principle about how the coaches want to play and it would be a bit late now to be learning that.


Nevrtheless we wait and see. One Barretts carrying though I'd suggest he only has a mandate to bring some physicality, not in how he does it. You can see how out of kilter he gets when he tries to do anything other than a simple cart up and pop. Just look at least week when he had two players on the outside to hit in multiple ways and he just indecisively takes the tackle before giving a poor overhead pop. That he still got the pass away hints at what he is "capable of" but as you saw, with free license, its just far off the mark. I've decided Rieko is my 12 from now on. I'd like Jordie to remain primarly at 12 at the Hurricans, as I feel that's were his best alround game can be kept in good shape, and you never know perhaps he will fill into the position after a while, but I'd like to try other centers essentially. But yes, if Razor/Hansen can get both him and Dmac humming in partnership they could also essentially cover many of the fb roles which aren't Jordans strength. Also obv happy to see Rieko tried on the wing just now I think that's more likely to fail than a Rieko/Proctor midfield.

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