Wallabies sign on 'repurposed' prop for extended stay

NEWS: Rugby Australia and the Waratahs announced that prop Isaac Kailea has agreed to a two-year contract extension through to 2027.

He becomes the latest Wallaby to remain on home soil until at least the home World Cup.

Kailea, 24, was capped eight times for Australia in 2024 after making his Test debut against Wales in Sydney last July, thus becoming Wallaby No.975.

Standing at an imposing 190cm and weighing in at 129kg, Kailea switched to loosehead prop from the back row in 2018 and made an immediate impact, debuting for the Melbourne Rebels against the Reds less than three years later.

A product of Melbourne’s Harlequin junior club, Kailea represented the Rebels 22 times before making the move to the Waratahs at the end of 2024, where he adds to the front row depth alongside national teammates Angus Bell and Taniela Tupou.

Of Tongan and Chilean descent, Kailea joins fellow Test forwards Fraser McReight, Matt Faessler, Nick Frost, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Harry Wilson and Jeremy Williams in re-signing with Australian Rugby in recent weeks.

Wallaby No.975 and NSW Waratahs prop, Isaac Kailea said: “I’m happy to be able to have my immediate future sorted and to have some stability so I can focus on my Rugby here at the Waratahs for at least the next three seasons.

“I’m really enjoying my time here in Sydney with the team so far and working with the coaches to improve my game.

“I’m looking forward to continuing to work hard and earn more opportunities to represent the blue and gold jerseys.”

Rugby Australia’s Director of High-Performance, Peter Horne said: “We are excited to lock in Issac for a further two years following a successful season in 2024 that included Tests against Wales, Georgia, South Africa, Argentina, New Zealand, Scotland and Ireland.

“At just 24 years old, Issac’s best rugby is still ahead of him and we are looking forward to see him continue to evolve at provincial and international level.”

NSW Waratahs head coach Dan McKellar said: “It’s great to have Isaac on board for the next couple of years. He’s a good young loosehead prop with enormous potential, working hard on his set piece game to develop around scrum, line out and maul which will complement his natural talents as a rugby player – very physical, good footwork and accurate on both sides of the ball.

“He’s certainly someone that’ll give us good strength and depth in a really important position.”