Rugby Australia and the Queensland Reds are thrilled to announce the signing of centre Izaia Perese, who returns to Australian Rugby on a long-term deal keeping him at Ballymore until the end of 2028.
Perese, a dynamic and explosive athlete, returns to his home state where his professional career began, with the 29-year-old bringing a wealth of experience back to the Reds squad effective immediately.
Known for his aggressive ball-carrying, footwork, and hard-hitting defence, Perese’s return is a boost for Queensland and the national depth chart ahead of next year’s Rugby World Cup on home soil.
Having represented the Australian Schoolboys in 2014 and the Australian Under 20s in 2016, Perese made his Super Rugby debut for Queensland in 2016 before pulling on the Wallaby gold for the first time in in 2021. He was also named in the Wallabies squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.
Wallaby number 948 and returning Queensland Reds back, Izaia Perese said: "I thought my journey was overseas and that was going to be me for the rest of my career. In Australia, in Queensland, is where I want to be and excited is an understatement.
"It's an exciting time for rugby in Australia as a whole. The Rugby World Cup next year is obviously a goal but what comes first is playing good rugby here at the Reds.
"Playing for your country is the pinnacle. All I can do to get back there is solely going to come from doing my job to the best of my ability for Queensland.”
Rugby Australia’s Director of High Performance Peter Horne said: “We are pleased to welcome Izaia back to Australian Rugby at a pivotal time for the game.
“He is a powerful athlete who is experienced and motivated to contribute to Queensland and the wider Australian system.”
“His signing reflects our focus on strengthening our depth and ensuring our best athletes are playing their rugby here in Australia."
Queensland Reds General Manager, High Performance, Sam Cordingley, said: "It's great to welcome Izzy back to the Reds.
"He brings a wealth of experience from his time in the French Top 14 and English Premiership so he'll be a great addition to our squad over the next few years."
Position: Centre and wing
Height: 178cm
Weight: 94kg
Born: 17/05/1997
Place of birth: Brisbane, Queensland
Test debut: 2021 v Scotland in Edinburgh
Wallaby number: 948
Test caps: 6
Super Rugby Pacific Club: Queensland Reds
Super Rugby Pacific debut: 2017 v Western Force, Brisbane (Queensland Reds)
Super Rugby Pacific caps: 63 – (17 – Queensland Reds) (46 – NSW Waratahs)
First Rugby Club: Easts Tigers
Wallabies 31 defeated by Ireland 33 on Saturday July 4 at Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Wallabies 26 defeated by France 42 on Saturday July 11 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Wallabies 57 defeated Italy 10 on Saturday July 18 at HBF Park, Perth
Wallabies vs Japan, Saturday August 8 at Hanazono Rugby Stadium, Higashi-Osaka
Wallabies vs Japan, 3:00pm AEST on Saturday August 15 at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Wallabies vs Argentina 5:00am AEST on Sunday August 30 at Estadio 23 de Agosto, San Salvador de Jujuy
Wallabies vs Argentina, 5:00am AEST on Sunday September 6 at Estádio Malvinas Argentinas, Mendoza
Wallabies vs South Africa, 5:30pm AWST on Sunday September 27 at Optus Stadium, Perth
Wallabies vs New Zealand, 3:10pm AEST on Saturday October 10 at Eden Park, Auckland
Wallabies vs New Zealand, 3:45pm AEST on Saturday October 17 at Accor Stadium, Sydney
Wallabies vs England, 2:10am AEDT on Monday November 9 at Allianz Stadium Twickenham, London
Wallabies vs Scotland, 2:10am AEDT on Monday November 16 at Gas Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Wallabies vs Wales, 7:10am AEDT on Sunday November 22, Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Nations Championships Finals Weekend, Weekend starting November 27
