Wallabies star Len Ikitau has put pen to a recent Rugby Australia and Brumbies contract that can preserve him out there for nationwide choice till the 2027 World Cup.
However his new two-year deal will embody a sabbatical which suggests he’ll solely play one season of Super Rugby within the nation’s capital.
Ikitau has signed a versatile deal that can enable him to play a season within 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 value about $770,000. He’ll nonetheless be out there for Aussie choice within the Spring Tour.
Len Ikitau will miss a season of Tremendous Rugby to play within 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 isn’t 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 of their contracts that might enable them to overlook a season with out threatening their Wallabies choice.
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Rugby New Zealand has additionally gone down an analogous route with a number of All Blacks stars together with Ardie Savea, Beauden Barret and Brodie Rettalick.
“You do not need to be that one individual that goes this season, and you then by no means hear of them or see them once more till they retire,” Ikitau mentioned per The Sydney Morning Herald.
“I wished to be sure that I am placing my hand up and be sure that I am taking part in in Australia to hopefully play in that World Cup in 2027.
“I did not need to take any threat by way of taking part in abroad.”
Len Ikitau of the Brumbies scores a attempt. Getty
Rugby Australia historically does not select Wallabies representatives from these taking part in abroad. The sabbaticals are seen as the most effective of each worlds.
Ikitau mentioned the deal provides his younger household a golden alternative to reside overseas, however with the security web of a assured job on his return.
“I would wish to thank the Brumbies and Rugby Australia for his or her flexibility on this settlement and my household and I are trying ahead to a novel life expertise within the UK with Exeter,” he mentioned in a launch asserting the deal.
“To know we’ll be coming again house to Canberra and the Brumbies may be very reassuring, particularly with the house rugby world cup not far-off.”
RA high-performance director Peter Horne mentioned the sabbatical would “show helpful to Len’s continued improvement”.
“Such is his standing within the recreation, Len’s providers had been in excessive demand by golf equipment and leagues world wide,” he mentioned in an announcement.
“However he made clear from the beginning his want to be a long-term Wallaby and his pleasure to signify his nation at a house rugby world cup in 2027.”
