Wallabies star Len Ikitau has put pen to a recent Rugby Australia and Brumbies contract that may preserve him out there for nationwide choice till the 2027 World Cup.
However his new two-year deal will embrace a sabbatical which implies he’ll solely play one season of Tremendous Rugby in the nation’s capital.
Ikitau has signed a versatile deal that may enable him to play a season in the UK in 2026 earlier than returning house for 2027.
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He’ll play the rest of this 12 months’s Tremendous Rugby season earlier than heading into Wallabies camp.
After the second Bledisloe Cup match in Perth in October, Ikitau will head to the UK for a nine-month stint with Exeter on a deal reportedly price about $770,000. He’ll nonetheless be out there for Aussie choice in the Spring Tour.
Len Ikitau will miss a season of Tremendous Rugby to play in the UK. Getty
He’ll return to Australia subsequent July for Wallabies duties, and rejoin the Brumbies for the 2027 Tremendous Rugby season. Ikitau has performed 39 Exams for the Wallabies since his debut in 2021.
It is not the primary time Rugby Australia have included sabbaticals in contract negotiations. David Pocock and Michael Hooper missed seasons of Tremendous Rugby in 2017 and 2021 to play in Japan. Present Wallabies Rob Valetini, Angus Bell and Tate McDermott even have choices in their contracts that may enable them to overlook a season with out threatening their Wallabies choice.
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Rugby New Zealand has additionally gone down the same route with a number of All Blacks stars together with Ardie Savea, Beauden Barret and Brodie Rettalick.
“You do not wish to be that one person who goes this season, and you then by no means hear of them or see them once more till they retire,” Ikitau stated per The Sydney Morning Herald.
“I wished to guarantee that I am placing my hand up and guarantee that I am enjoying in Australia to hopefully play in that World Cup in 2027.
“I did not wish to take any threat in phrases of enjoying abroad.”
Len Ikitau of the Brumbies scores a strive. Getty
Rugby Australia historically would not select Wallabies representatives from these enjoying abroad. The sabbaticals are seen as one of the best of each worlds.
Ikitau stated the deal offers his younger household a golden alternative to stay overseas, however with the security internet of a assured job on his return.
“I might wish to thank the Brumbies and Rugby Australia for his or her flexibility in this settlement and my household and I are trying ahead to a novel life expertise in the UK with Exeter,” he stated in a launch saying the deal.
“To know we’ll be coming again house to Canberra and the Brumbies could be very reassuring, particularly with the house rugby world cup not distant.”
RA high-performance director Peter Horne stated the sabbatical would “show helpful to Len’s continued improvement”.
“Such is his standing in the sport, Len’s providers have been in excessive demand by golf equipment and leagues all over the world,” he stated in a press release.
“However he made clear from the beginning his need to be a long-term Wallaby and his pleasure to signify his nation at a house rugby world cup in 2027.”
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