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Reports: Wallaby hopeful turns back on union

Izaia Perese. Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images

According to reports out of Australia, Queensland Reds wing Izaia Perese is set for a shocking code switch after linking up with the Brisbane Broncos.

The Sydney Morning Herald have reported that the 21-year-old has signed a training replacement contract with the Brisbane NRL club through their Super Cup affiliate Redcliffe Dolphins.

Perese’s departure opens the door for Wallabies winger Sefa Naivalu to join the team, with SMH reporting the Rebel will head to the club.

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Initially tipped to leave the club once his contract expires in 2020, Perese reportedly hasn’t shown during Reds preseason and will get out of rugby union immediately.

The loss of Perese to rugby league will be a tough blow for Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika, who carried the young winger on tour and praised him as a future Wallaby.

“He’s killing it,” the Cheika said in 2017. “He’s in a very competitive position. I think he’s a guy who can defend in the midfield as well.”

“He’s got that genuine pace; he’s got a great mindset and a great attitude. He’s coming along very nicely.”

Perese only managed five appearances for the Reds in 2018 after battling a knee injury, and in June rumours of a code switch began to circulate.

26-year-old Naivalu – who should take Perese’s place at the club – is a 10-test Wallaby who was competing with fellow Wallabies outside backs Marika Koroibete, Reece Hodge and Jack Maddocks for playing time in Melbourne.

The move to Queensland should see the explosive winger spend more time on the field in the lead up to next year’s Rugby World Cup, with Michael Cheika tending to pick the Fijian-born flyer when he is available.

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Nickers 29 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

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