Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

'He'll be the most dangerous player': The Waratahs bad boy who could be the Wallabies' saviour

(Photo by Jono Searle/Getty Images)

Although the Waratahs fell to yet another heavy defeat, this time at the hands of the Crusaders, last weekend, there was a bright spot for winless New South Welshmen.

ADVERTISEMENT

It might not feel like it given the Sydney-based side walked away from WIN Stadium in Wollongong having conceded eight tries, condemning them to their 11th straight defeat as they continue their search for a maiden win this year.

However, if barnstorming midfielder Izaia Perese can continue the form he found himself in against the Crusaders, then the club may produce the next Wallabies star.

Video Spacer

Reforging the Steelers | Episode 1 | RugbyPass

Video Spacer

Reforging the Steelers | Episode 1 | RugbyPass

The 23-year-old was in fine touch for the Waratahs in their 54-28 loss, especially with ball in hand, as he showed plenty of physicality and intent to beat 10 defenders, run for 82 metres and score a try.

Perese’s try shouldn’t be taken lightly, either, as he scooted past the flailing defensive efforts of Sevu Reece and Tamaiti Williams before steamrolling Crusaders behemoth Leicester Fainga’anuku, which is no easy feat, to stroll on in near the posts.

All in all, it was a compelling display of explosive attacking rugby by the troubled youngster, whose career has been chequered by drug-related issues that plagued him during his brief spell in rugby league.

ADVERTISEMENT

Formerly a schoolboy sensation while playing alongside future union and league stars such as Kalyn Ponga, Liam Wright and Jayden Su’A at Anglican Church Grammar School, Perese kicked-off his Super Rugby career with the Reds in 2016.

A cross-code move to the NRL with the Brisbane Broncos ensued three years later, but it was there were he was the centre of controversy after he was found guilty of obtaining cocaine and MDMA from a person being monitored by police.

While Perese avoided a conviction, he was duly sacked by the Broncos with just two NRL appearances to his name, which forced him to turn to Top 14 club Bayonne.

Nothing much came of his spell in France, which led to Perese’s decision to return to Australia and sign with the Waratahs ahead of this season.

ADVERTISEMENT

Perese’s lifeline in Australian rugby got off on the wrong foot when he was red carded for a dangerous tackle in the Super Rugby AU opener in February, but since then, he has made every post a winner during a torrid campaign for the Waratahs.

His performance against the Crusaders was arguably his best in the sky-blue jersey, and it caught the eye of New Zealand Herald columnist Phil Gifford.

Reacting to the latest round of Super Rugby Trans-Tasman, Gifford claimed that Perese will “be the most dangerous player in a talented Wallaby backline” if Wallabies boss Dave Rennie selects him this year.

“At just 94kg Perese is a small man by modern midfield standards. Ngani Laumape, for example, is 103kg,” Gifford wrote for the New Zealand Herald.

“But what Perese might lack in bulk he makes up for with an intensity that’s almost scary. He attacks the line with what could fairly be called venomous intent. If Dave Rennie selects Perese he’ll be the most dangerous player in a talented Wallaby backline.”

Gifford wasn’t the only observer in awe of Perese’s showing on the weekend, as many fans took to Twitter to rave about the midfielder’s blockbusting match.

One user echoed Gifford’s sentiments about Perese being a potential game-breaker for Australia as they decreed that he “needs to be the bolter for Wallabies”.

Wallabies selection wouldn’t be a first for Perese, who has been part of many Australian squads while former head coach Michael Cheika was in charge.

Although a test cap has eluded Perese, an international appearance may not be far away as Rennie prepares to select his squad for the upcoming series against France in July.

If Perese, widely considered the Waratahs’ best player this season, can maintain his rich vein of form in Super Rugby, it wouldn’t surprise to see him in action against Les Bleus in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

R
RedWarrior 1 hour ago
Three-way race to be number one in World Rugby men's rankings

IF SA and NZ win then its 1,2,3 SA/NZ/IRL Otherwise as you were. This is largely irrelevant beyond bragging rights.


As I have pointed out elsewhere the practical use of the Rankings is to determine the seedings bands for the RWC draw. The draw takes place early 2026 and hopefully the rankings will be taken from then.


Important to be in the top 6, the top 12. (and likely the top 4).

This is because there are now 6 groups in the RWC 2027.

If you are in top 6 you are in Seeding Band 1. That means none of the other top 6 will be in your group.

Seeding Band 2 are teams from 7-12, who will have a top 6 team but no other 7-12 team.

After England's defeat by NZ there is clear water between NZ in 3rd, France in 4th and England in 5th. England are desperate for top4, ill come back and explain why later.

Lets look at Seeding Band 1 and 6th place. If you make 6th, no top 6 team is in your group, you are top dog. If you win your group, you won't be facing a top 6 team in your 1/8th final, you will be facing a weaker team. If you fail to make 6th place you WILL have a top 6 team in your group and if you don't win your group you WILL (probably) meet a top 6 in the 1/8 final. That's massive.


Its Argentina holding 6th now. Assuming England hold 5th, then its a 4 horse race for 6th. Argentina, Scotland, Italy and ...Australia. (ranked 6,7,8,9)

Australia play the Lions in NH summer 2025 they are running out of time to get up to 6th for their own RWC. They MUST make a move now. They must beat Wales and they really must beat Scotland to gain points and take points off them. Could they surprise England or Ireland? England may be the better bet but Schmidt knows Ireland so well having masterminded their downfall in France.

Another one to watch is Italy V Argentina. Italy are ambitious and they will want to start pushing the likes of Argentina. If they win this they are still in the hunt. Well worth a watch either way.


Top4: I think the top 6 will be seeded, all the way through from the draw. If thats the case then the top 4 will be seeded to avoid each other until the semi. Good for more certainty around ticket sales etc. That's a possible reason why England want in there. You're not in there you are hitting a top 4 team in a QF. That's an extra 50:50 match you can do without and avoid by being top 4.


Lets look at what Seeding bands might look like with todays rankings:


Seeding Band 1

IRE/SA/NZ/FRA/ENG/ARG

Seeding Band 2

SCO/ITA/AUS/FIJ/WAL/GEO


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: FIJI

1/8 final opponent GEORGIA

Prognosis: advance to 1/4 and potentially beyond


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if NOT in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: SOUTH AFRICA

1/8 final opponent NEW ZEALAND

Prognosis: You know the prognosis


I am pretty sure this is not lost on Joe Schmidt?


Keep in mind when enjoying the matches.

1 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ Mick Cleary: 'Borthwick needs to have faith in Marcus Smith' Mick Cleary: 'Borthwick needs to have faith in Marcus Smith'
Search