Northern Edition

Select Edition

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

Troubled Izaia Perese back in union after securing Top 14 deal

(Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Top 14 club Bayonne have announced they have convinced Izaia Perese to pack in his dalliance with rugby league and instead given union another go. The 23-year-old Australian is currently in his second year with NRL’s Brisbane-based Broncos.

ADVERTISEMENT

Capped for Australia at Under-20s level, Perese made 17 Super Rugby appearances for the Reds, scoring four tries across his seasons with the Queensland franchise. 

That form resulted in the Broncos tempting Perese to cross-codes, but he has fallen out of favour with the Broncos after he was stood down in February following an arrest for drugs possession.

Video Spacer

RugbyPass beings you the latest edition of Isolation Nation, the Sky NZ TV rugby programme

Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration 26:50
Loaded: 0%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 26:50
 
1x
    • Chapters
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions off, selected
    • en (Main), selected
    Video Spacer

    RugbyPass beings you the latest edition of Isolation Nation, the Sky NZ TV rugby programme

    Perese pleaded guilty to supplying a dangerous drug at Albion Creek last September but has now had a probation order for drug charges removed by a court to allow him to travel to France and take up the lucrative Top 14 offer. 

    In a statement on the club website, Bayonne said: “After the (lockdown easing) announcements by the government Thursday which make us think that we will soon be able to find you at Jean-Dauger, you will meet a new player there: Izaia Perese.

    “Still very young (23 years old), solid (1.8m, 91kgs), he was a star of Australian rugby league with the Brisbane Broncos after playing XV and international U20s.

    “He will reinforce the backline since he plays in midfield. He is also the last reinforcement of our team for next season.”

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Before he switched to the Broncos in what was described by Australian media as a shock move, Perese had been singled out on a number of occasions by then Wallabies coach Michael Cheika, who included him in a training capacity in a number of squads.

    “He’s killing it,” the Australian coach said at the time. “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.”

     

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Boks Office | Episode 37 | Six Nations Round 4 Review

    Cape Town | Leg 2 | Day 2 | HSBC Challenger Series 2025 | Full Day Replay

    Gloucester-Hartpury vs Bristol Bears | PWR 2024/25 | Full Match Replay

    Boks Office | Episode 36 | Six Nations Round 3 Review

    Why did Scotland's Finn Russell take the crucial kick from the wrong place? | Whistle Watch

    England A vs Ireland A | Full Match Replay

    Kubota Spears vs Shizuoka BlueRevs | JRLO 2024/2025 | Full Match Replay

    Watch now: Lomu - The Lost Tapes

    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

    TRENDING
    TRENDING Gregor Townsend breaks silence on his Scotland future Gregor Townsend breaks silence on his Scotland future
    Search