Brisbane Broncos winger Israel Leota will leave the NRL powerhouse to chase a dream in rugby union after signing with Moana Pasifika on a multi-year deal, starting in the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season.
Standing at 190cm and tipping the scales at 101kg, the Porirua-born winger is a member of the Broncos’ top 30 squad, which is preparing for the NRL preliminary finals. He also represented the Queensland Under-19 State of Origin side in 2023 and 2024.
The 20-year-old said he wanted to move back to his rugby union roots to pursue different opportunities. When looking for a landing spot in rugby, he was captivated by the spirit of Moana Pasifika and signed a deal for the 2026 and 2027 seasons.
“I’ve been watching from afar and I can see the environment that the team has created. It looks infectious. It looks like it’s a great place to be around,” Leota said.
“It is also a really good opportunity for me to come over and have a crack at the game that I grew up in and have loved for a long time.”
Leota moved to Australia with his family at an early age and attended Ipswich Grammar, switching between rugby league and union before committing to the former at the age of 16.
This year Leota has been playing for the Karmichael Hunt-coached Souths Logan Magpies in the Queensland Cup. The winger ended the regular season in second place on the competition ladder for tries scored and linebreaks made.
Moana Pasifika head coach Fa’alogo Tana Umaga added: “The honours that Israel has reached already, show what a talented young player he is. We have been tracking him for a while and are really excited that he has decided to come back to his roots in terms of footy and culture.”
ENDS
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