The Melbourne Rebels are proud to announce Captain Rob Leota has re-committed to the Club on a new multi-year deal, re-signing until the end of 2025.
The 26-year-old is the latest Wallaby to sign with the Club for next season, joining fellow Wallabies’ props Matt Gibbon and Taniela Tupou.
Today’s announcement caps a whirlwind month for Leota, with the born and-bred Victorian unveiled as the Club’s Captain for season 2023, becoming the first homegrown player to be chosen for the men’s key leadership position.
Leota began his rugby journey playing for Northern Panthers, quickly rising through the ranks of state and national rugby, including winning selection in the Australian Under 20’s Schoolboy side in 2015.
Leota soon became the first homegrown player to sign a Super Rugby contract with the Rebels, with the then eighteen-year-old going on to make his Super Rugby debut for his boyhood Club against the Crusaders in Round 16.
Supported by his loving parents every step of the way, Leota enjoyed a breakout season in 2021, leading to a Test debut later that year, during the Wallabies remarkable win over South Africa on the Gold Coast.
Leota has since gone on to pull on the gold jersey 13 times since, starting on eight occasions, while making 45 appearances for the Rebels.
Known for his impact on both sides of the ball, Leota's versatility as either a lock or a backrower makes him valuable at both Super Rugby Pacific and International levels.
Leota is currently recovering from a ruptured Achilles he picked up in Bledisloe One last year and is hopeful of returning to the field towards the back end of the Super Rugby Pacific season.
Rob Leota said he was excited to remain part of the future the Rebels were building.
"I'm stoked to re-sign with the Rebels and Rugby Australia for two more years," said Leota.
"Melbourne is my home. This is the club I grew up supporting and the one that gave me my first opportunity to live out my dream, so to be able to re-commit to them was really important to me and my family.
"I'm looking forward to continuing to work hard to get back on the field as soon as I can and do everything I can to put my hand up for Wallabies selection later this year."
Melbourne Rebels GM of Rugby, Nick Stiles, said the Club was thrilled to retain Leota.
“Rob’s re-commitment to the Rebels is fantastic news for our Club and the community,” said Stiles.
“After rising through as a Northern Panthers junior, to our Academy system, everyone at the Melbourne Rebels has been so proud watching him grow into a damaging Super Rugby player, a homegrown Club Captain and a Wallaby.
“Rob is a team-first, high-character guy and an important leader at our Club, so it’s exciting he wants to remain part of what we’re building here at the Melbourne Rebels and in the Victorian community.
“Having someone like Rob re-commit to our Club, and help drive our culture and ambitions, that will help inspire more Victorians to get into our game and support the Melbourne Rebels.”
