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Remove items from your saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n AAA<\/p>\n These are the tries that may thrust an emerging prospect into a cross-code tug-o-war for the second time in a year.<\/p>\n The imminent collapse of Moana Pasifika in the Super Rugby Pacific has left a squad-load of players hunting for a job, and Israel Leota has landed firmly on the radar of the Wallabies\u2019 next coach.<\/p>\n Leota left an NRL career at the Brisbane Broncos to pursue rugby union at the end of last season, linking up with the Pasifika outfit for what is set to be its final campaign after going into liquidation. Unless new ownership is secured, the franchise will not compete in 2027.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n The 21-year-old winger was a highly rated talent at the Broncos, but faced an uphill battle for game time behind Deine Mariner, Josiah Karapani, Grant Anderson, Jesse Arthars, Phillip Coates and Antonio Verhoeven.<\/p>\n But against the Queensland Reds last week, Leota showed his point of difference \u2013 receiving the ball just inside his own half before fending off several defenders while tip-toeing the sideline to score. It followed a leaping effort against the Highlanders, which he almost made look casual.<\/p>\n After making his debut in round two, when he suffered an ankle injury, the flyer returned for the final five games of the season \u2013 crossing the white line three times and capturing attention for his strong frame and ball-carrying ability. He was forced off in Moana\u2019s emotional 21-19 triumph over the Brumbies with a leg injury.<\/p>\n Wallabies coach-in-waiting Les Kiss, currently at the helm of the Reds, confirmed the rising sensation had landed on his radar, given his Australian eligibility.<\/p>\n However, he stopped short of confirming Leota would be approached for a Queensland homecoming, with the club already boasting Tim Ryan, Filipo Daugunu, Lachie Anderson and Treyvon Pritchard \u2013 who is being courted by the incoming Papua New Guinea Chiefs NRL outfit for 2028. <\/a><\/p>\n Related Article \u201cHis name\u2019s obviously been thrown around, no doubt. That\u2019s probably up to other people, but why wouldn\u2019t you look at him?\u201d Kiss said.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s got something special, hasn\u2019t he? Those types of X-factor players are always welcome, he\u2019s certainly got his style.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve got a lot of different variations of our wingers \u2026 I like the fact we have so many different varieties in our team, and obviously in Australian rugby.\u201d<\/p>\n Born in Wellington, Leota moved to Australia early in life and played junior rugby league with Logan Brothers, before exploring rugby union and AFL for a period. He returned to league and represented Queensland in the under-19s State of Origin.<\/p>\n Leota had signed a two-year contract with Pasifika, but it will take a knight in shining armour to save the club.<\/p>\n Should that mean Leota is on the hunt for work, a Broncos return could be an option \u2013 one endorsed by Brisbane superstar Payne Haas.<\/p>\n \u201cFor sure, for a talent like that \u2013 he\u2019s super young, and any club would be pretty lucky to have him,\u201d Haas said when asked if he hoped Leota would find his way back to rugby league.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve seen him score some pretty crazy tries; I saw one where he speccy\u2019d [leapt over the top of] someone the other week, so it\u2019s pretty cool to see Izzy kill it over there.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s the game he grew up with, and to see him kill it for Moana and see the kind of things they\u2019re going through, for him to play good rugby over there, I\u2019m really happy for him.\u201d<\/p>\n While Leota did not make his NRL debut, he has shown tremendous potential in the Queensland Cup \u2013 scoring 20 tries in 17 games for Souths Logan Magpies last season, while making 21 linebreaks.<\/p>\n Brisbane will lose Anderson to the New Zealand Warriors for 2027, while fellow outside backs Arthars and Gehamat Shibasaki are yet to be extended beyond the end of this season. <\/a><\/p>\n Broncos coach Michael Maguire would not confirm whether Leota, his former winger, would be sounded out for a club return, but suggested he had been keeping a close eye on his exploits.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s doing well, actually, from what I\u2019ve seen and what I\u2019ve been told, because I\u2019ve had a number of people always asking me. I haven\u2019t spoken about that [recruiting him] internally; he\u2019s enjoying doing what he\u2019s doing at the moment,\u201d Maguire said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re always looking at everyone, that\u2019s the job of our recruiters. We are aware of where he\u2019s at, and those things will work themselves out.\u201d<\/p>\n Start the day with a summary of the day\u2019s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter<\/a>.<\/p>\n Save<\/p>\n You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n![\"Harry](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/5ddf146116d2d7fffa423bcfede2d6482358af4102e30cbaf4f00c7d11a6c982.gif\")
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Treyvon Pritchard of the Reds and Israel Leota of Moana Pasifika.Getty Images<\/p>\n