Izack Rodda recommits to St.George Queensland Reds until 2020
St.George Queensland Reds lock Izack Rodda will remain at Ballymore through to the end of 2020 after signing a new two-year deal with Queensland Rugby Union and Rugby Australia.
Rodda had a standout season for the Reds in 2018 – starting in all but one Super Rugby game, as well as being named in the Australian XV in all three Tests against Ireland in the June series.
The 22 year-old has 10 Test caps to his name after starring in the Wallabies gutsy victory over South Africa at Suncorp Stadium last weekend.
“I’m very excited to sign for two more years and I’m really looking forward to sticking with the Reds and the Wallabies,” said Rodda.
“I’m very happy to be at the Reds, it’s where I want to be and it’s where my heart is.
“The Reds gave me my first crack and my first contract. I was one year out of school and I haven’t really looked back since.
“It’s an unreal program that’s been growing each year and now that Thorny is the boss, it’s just going in the right direction as a club and all the players want to be there to keep growing that great vibe.”
A product of Ipswich Grammar School, Rodda became Queensland Representative Number 1308 and has played 27 games for the Reds after making his Queensland debut in 2017.
“I’m pleased that Izack will be with us at the Queensland Reds through until 2020,” said Reds head coach Brad Thorn.
“He’s developing nicely – both for his state and for his country and has more growth in him over the next couple of seasons. He’s a young man but has a significant voice within this group and will be an important part of it moving forward.
“We’ve invested plenty of time in his development and he’s come through our pathway including with our Under 20s and the Queensland Country NRC team and he continues to work hard on his game,” said Thorn.
Rodda is currently in camp with the Qantas Wallabies on the Gold Coast preparing for Saturday night’s Mitsubishi Estate Rugby Championship Test against Argentina at Cbus Super Stadium in Robina.
“Honestly, if you had asked me three years ago where I would be, I wouldn’t have said here with the Wallabies,” said Rodda.
“It’s come very fast but I have loved every moment of it. In saying that, I still need to work very hard to keep my spot. There’s a lot of competition in my position coming through both the Reds and the Wallabies so it’s going to keep me on my toes.
“I want to try get in the World Cup squad then cement a spot in the 23, and hopefully win a World Cup.
“You’d be lying if you didn’t say that playing in a World Cup isn’t in the back of your mind all the time. It’s the pinnacle of our sport, it’s the highest level of the sport and it’s definitely been on my mind for a while but I’m just taking each day as it comes, focusing on each game and each week,” Rodda added.
Izack Rodda
Position: Lock
Height: 202cm
Weight: 119kg
DOB: 20/08/1996
POB: Lismore, NSW
School: Ipswich Grammar School
Club: Easts
Queensland Representative Number: 1308
Queensland/Super Rugby debut: 2017 v Sharks, Suncorp Stadium
Queensland/Super Rugby caps: 27
Queensland/Super Rugby points: 10 (2T)
NRC debut: Bond University Queensland Country 2016 v Vikings
NRC caps: 9
Test debut: 2017 v New Zealand, Dunedin
Test caps: 10
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