ivanhungryjak
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I bleed Maroon
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- Apr 17, 2013
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Apparently we've poached a kid named Izaia Perese from the Reds
Alec
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- Mar 4, 2008
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Was he the one we were chasing earlier in the year? The really talented one apparently?
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pagey
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- Aug 19, 2013
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Pretty sure it is
Allo
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From the SMH
Then there’s just more about Yawnion
Wallabies' next big thing Perese in shock defection to NRL
The Queensland winger once touted as the Wallabies' next big thing will pitch up for training with the Broncos on Monday in a sensational code-swapping blow to Australian rugby.
Izaia Perese, hailed by Michael Cheika just 12 months ago for "killing it" in a Wallabies touring squad, has signed a training replacement contract with the Brisbane NRL club via their affiliate Redcliffe Dolphins and is likely to win a full-time deal.
Reds to Red Hill: Izaia Perese is understood to have signed with Broncos affiliate the Redcliffe Dolphins. CREDIT:AAP
The Herald understands his release will make way for Rebels winger Sefa Naivalu to move north to Ballymore in a consolatory win for Wallabies coach Cheika and Rugby Australia's talent retention campaign.
But Perese's exit from Queensland has not been without drama, with the 21-year-old understood to have been a no-show at pre-season training for some time at Ballymore while the Reds, Rebels and Rugby Australia negotiated over his release.
It is also an abortive end to a rugby career that held great promise. Considered a genuine product of the Queensland pathway, the former Australian Schoolboy won a GPS title with the Anglican Church Grammar School first XV team, which also boasted future Broncos Kalyn Ponga and Jayden Su'a, plus Mack Mason, Angus Scott Young, Liam Wright and Harley Fox.
He was singled out by Cheika a number of times as a player that could form part of Australia's World Cup plans and was selected to tour with the Wallabies in a training capacity during the Rugby Championship last year.
"He's killing it," the Australian coach said at the time.
"He's in a very competitive position. I think he's a guy who can defend in the midfield as well.
"He's got that genuine pace; he's got a great mindset and a great attitude. He's coming along very nicely."
Sefa Naivalu will move to the Reds from Melbourne in coming weeks. CREDIT:AAP
He was sent home from the tour to get some game time under his belt in the NRC and looked set to light up the 2018 Super season after scoring the match-winning try for Queensland's trial match against the Fiji Warriors. But a knee ligament injury ruled him out of much of the season and the powerful runner struggled to make an impact after that.
By June rumours were circulating he would sign with the Broncos for 2020 but the Herald understands Perese couldn't get out of rugby fast enough in the end, with a training replacement deal agreed with the Broncos via their Instrust Super Cup feeder team Redcliffe and an NRL debut a near certainty in the not too distant future.
Then there’s just more about Yawnion
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WASSHHH
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- Aug 24, 2017
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Whoa, whoa; pump the brakes union journalist.
Just because he’s a fringe first grader in union, does not mean “an NRL debut is a near certainty in the not too distant future”. Particularly at the Broncos.
The other way around, yeh sure. But history will show many more have failed trying to come across to league from union than the other way around.
I hope he “kills it” like the box head Wallabies coach says he will, but time will tell.
Big Pete
International Captain
- Mar 12, 2008
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Genuinely optimistic about the signing. I don't watch a ton of Rah Rah, but caught a few games of Perese's and was impressed with his foot-work and his ability to create chances in tight quarters.
It's bit of a homecoming as well for Perese. He actually played Rugby League for Norths in his junior days, so he isn't starting from scratch in this sport. It was one of the reasons why I kept an eye on him, I like to give my rah rah mates stick for all the League converts (Timu being the new go-to guy).
It's bit of a homecoming as well for Perese. He actually played Rugby League for Norths in his junior days, so he isn't starting from scratch in this sport. It was one of the reasons why I kept an eye on him, I like to give my rah rah mates stick for all the League converts (Timu being the new go-to guy).
barker
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Bongo
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- Oct 10, 2013
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Reminds me a bit of Willie Tonga.
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Lockysillegitimatechild
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- Apr 10, 2015
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He wont be able to brush off tackles like a few of them unless nikorima swaps teams.
Deadset they are state teams?! Lol they looked like under 20’s defensively. However , he looks pretty good. Wonder if he will be ahead of farnsworth and kahu as the backup winger? Also, wonder if this is an indication we will be letting kahu go? Has anyone heard any whispers?
1
1910
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- Apr 14, 2013
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Under 16 Origin too in 2013.
He's coming off an ACL so he will take time, Redcliffe are pretty shrewd good replacement for Pearson.
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Cult
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- Oct 17, 2013
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Why not Maranta?
Unbreakable
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What?
Big Pete
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I don't watch enough games, so I've never seen him play. Rest assured the moment the Muffin Man does something useful I'll be quick to remind all of them he's one of my guys.
Wolfie
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- Jan 14, 2015
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Well we did have Ponga at one point.
Wolfie
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The only thing I heard was he was made an offer from the Titans, which they pulled when Kelly became available and they signed him.
Unbreakable
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Seibold has confirmed we've signed Perese, also says there's 1-2 more gaps to fill before the season starts.
broncsgoat
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I like how seibold convinced him to sign when the rumours have been around for about 6 months.
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