Wallaby lock bucks the trend
NEWS: Lock Izack Rodda has bucked the trend of several of his Wallabies teammates to commit his future to Australian rugby.
Rodda has signed a four-year contract with the Queensland Reds, keeping him in Australia until at least conclusion of the 2023 World Cup in France.
The 23-year-old’s commitment comes amid the looming departure of several players after the World Cup in Japan.
Australian rugby is facing an exodus with Japan-bound Samu Kerevi (23 caps) and locks Adam Coleman (29 caps) and Rory Arnold (19 caps) heading to offshore clubs after the Wallabies’ campaign at the global tournament concludes.
Rodda, capped 21 times by Australia, said it was a “no-brainer” to stay at the Reds for another four years.
“It’s good to confirm and announce this before the World Cup starts this week, so I can shift my focus on the Wallabies, but definitely excited and honoured to re-sign with Australian Rugby and the Reds for another four years,” he said.
Rodda is the 10th player to have re-signed a long-term deal with the Reds in recent weeks.
He is part of the Wallabies squad which will begin their World Cup campaign on Saturday against Fiji in Sapporo and looms as a candidate to replace Kerevi as the Reds’ captain after filling in for the centre during this Super Rugby campaign against the Chiefs in Hamilton.
