Australian rugby player Ikitau secures contract with Exeter for a temporary period
Ready to dive into some rugby chat, mate? Let's talk about Len Ikitau, the 26-year-old Aussie legend who's about to take the UK by storm!
Born and bred in Brisbane, this bloke's been dominating Australian rugby since his school days, having attended Marsden State High School and Brisbane Boys’ College. His talent didn't go unnoticed as he progressed through the ranks, representing the Australia Schools Barbarians and Australia Under 20s, despite some early career injuries.
In 2025, Ikitau will embark on a new adventure, joining the Exeter Chiefs, one of the UK's most iconic rugby clubs, on a nine-month sabbatical deal. This move comes after the 2025 Rugby Championship and Autumn Nations Series and is a pit-stop before he returns Down Under to continue playing for the Brumbies and Wallabies, leading up to the 2027 Rugby World Cup. The contract with Exeter? A cool £400,000, mate.
Ikitau's performances with the Wallabies have caused quite a stir, especially during the 2024 Autumn Nations Series. At Twickenham, he pulled off an audacious flick pass that set up a match-winning try against England. He's racked up 39 caps for Australia so far, scoring several tries, including a hat-trick for the Brumbies. His commitment to Australian rugby remains unwavering, having re-signed with Rugby Australia on a two-year deal until the end of 2027.
Rob Baxter, Exeter's rugby director, couldn't be happier about this signing, calling Ikitau a world-class player right at the top of his form. With the Rugby Championship and the British and Irish Lions tour coming up before he joins Exeter, it's clear Ikitau's eager for a change and ready to bring his A-game to the UK.
So, Aussie mates, let's cheer for Ikitau as he tackles British rugby! It's a bloody good opportunity, and who knows, he might bring home a few more trophies for us!
- Len Ikitau, the Wallabies star, is currently taking a nine-month sabbatical to join Exeter Chiefs, a renowned UK rugby club, starting in 2025.
- After his successful run in European-leagues and the Premier League, Exeter's rugby director, Rob Baxter, has described Ikitau as a world-class player at the top of his form.
- Sio, a 26-year-old Aussie rugby legend, has been playing football for various Australian teams since his school days, including the Australia Schools Barbarians and Australia Under 20s.
- Following his contracts with the Brumbies and Wallabies, Ikitau will be returning to Australia after his nine-month stint in the UK, leading up to the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
