Role Model Rob Focused on the Future

Tue, Jul 7, 2020, 4:42 AM
Rebels Media
by Rebels Media
Rob Leota is back playing consistent footy with the Rebels: Getty Images.
Rob Leota is back playing consistent footy with the Rebels: Getty Images.

Melbourne Rebels Flanker Rob Leota was one of four Victorian pathway players to play in Saturday night’s opening Super Rugby AU match against the Brumbies.

Leota played alongside Jordan Uelese, Pone Fa'amausili and Trevor Hosea, setting a club record for the most Victorian pathway players to play together in a Super Rugby match for the Rebels.

Speaking to Mel Kawa on Monday night’s episode of ‘Convos with Kawa,’ the 23-year-old says he’s now focused on becoming a role model for Melbourne’s aspiring rugby players.

“A lot of the younger Melbourne boys start doing pre-season with us once they finish school, so we started looking at them coming through and obviously just try to get a contract and putting everything aside just to train full time - I think that’s when we just started to see that that was us at some point,” Leota said.

“I started to realise this and started to help the Vic pathway with a lot of the boys coming through because there’s definitely talent here, it just needs to be seen."

With his stock rising, Leota realises the unique role he now has as one of the faces of the Victorian player movement.

“I think a role model is something I have taken on board the last couple of years, so I’m pretty happy with all that we are trying to do.”

Growing up in Preston, Leota spent his junior years playing at Northcote, the same club his Dad once played for. However, despite his obvious talent, Leota never once thought he’d reach the heights of Super Rugby footy.

“We started Under 8’s and played right through; didn’t really think much of it as trying to accomplish a dream or do it for a job.

“Just played through the ranks at Northcote and growing up there as well, so I really enjoyed my footy there and playing with my close brothers and then being able to make it with guys like Fereti and Jordan Uelese as well, was something a lot of us have to pinch ourselves.

After making his Super Rugby debut in 2016, Leota would miss the next two seasons through injury - tearing his ACL during an NRC match in 2016, before a serious shoulder injury ruled him out the following season.

Leota says that it was the mental battle that was his biggest challenge during his time away from the game.

“During those times it was pretty tough but I’m pretty glad I had a good support network with my family and a lot of my close boys.

“There’s a lot of dark times you go through during rehab and sometimes you start to question a lot of things that’s going on in your life and sometimes it’s hasn’t even got to do with rugby.

“You’re off the field and you can have a really good day and come back to the room and sometimes it just hits you a lot more when you’re just by yourself in the room."

Following his return from injury last year, Leota played 13 games for the Rebels, with the exciting flanker now set on cementing himself in the back row for many years to come.

“I was pretty blessed - a lot of things just came my way and I kept training hard.

“I’ve learnt through those years in rehab, just staying on top of a lot of things because you got to be pretty resilient.

“When I just kept doing that, the rewards started to come, so playing consistent footy for a whole year back to back is something I’m pretty happy with." 

 

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