Reds flyer set for code switch
Reports from The Daily Telegraph suggest that Queensland Reds youngster is set to join the NRL’s Brisbane Broncos in 2020.
The 21-year-old winger, currently in his third season with the Super Rugby club, is under contract until 2019 and has not yet been granted a release.
The reports from The Daily Telegraph state that Perese, a former Australia schoolboys representative, is intent on playing rugby league, even if it means playing one more season of Super Rugby.
Current Brisbane Broncos winger Corey Oates is reportedly looking at a move to Sydney, and Australian sources allege the Broncos are willing to pay a release fee to the Reds and Rugby Australia for Perese’s services.
If Perese does switch codes, it will be a tough blow for Reds head coach Brad Thorn.
Thorn – who has just completed his first season in charge of the Reds – himself represented the Broncos 200 times during his own NRL career as he switched between rugby league and rugby union.
Perese has battled with injuries in the early stages of his career, and managed just five appearances for the Reds this season.
Despite his limited playing time, he impressed when he was on the park, scoring one try, notching 370 metres with ball in hand and breaking the line five times.
Perese has spent time with the Wallabies squad, but is yet to make his international debut.
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