The NSW Waratahs and Rugby Australia are pleased to announce prop Isaac Kailea has agreed to a two-year contract extension through 2027 - becoming the latest Wallaby to remain on home soil until at least the home Rugby World Cup.
Kailea, 24, was capped eight times for Australia in 2024 after making his Test debut against Wales in Sydney last July, thus becoming Wallaby No. 975.
Standing at an imposing 190cm and weighing in at 129kg, Kailea switched to loosehead prop from the backrow in 2018 and made an immediate impact, debuting for the Melbourne Rebels against the Reds less than three years later.
A product of Melbourne’s Harlequin Junior Rugby Club, Kailea represented the Rebels 22 times before making the move to the Waratahs at the end of 2024, where he adds to the front row depth alongside national teammates Angus Bell and Taniela Tupou.
He made his Super Rugby Pacific debut for the NSW Waratahs in Round 3 against the Fijian Drua. He has been named again on the bench for Saturday’s blockbuster Round 6 derby against the ACT Brumbies at Allianz Stadium in Moore Parke, Sydney on Saturday.
Of Tongan and Chilean descent, Kailea joins fellow Test forwards Fraser McReight, Matt Faessler, Nick Frost, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Jeremy Williams in re-signing with Australian Rugby in recent weeks.
Kailea said: “I'm happy to be able to have my immediate future sorted and to have some stability so I can focus on my Rugby here at the Waratahs for at least the next three seasons.
"I'm really enjoying my time here in Sydney with the team so far and working with the coaches to improve my game," Kailea said.
"I'm looking forward to continuing to work hard and earn more opportunities to represent the blue and gold jerseys."
NSW Waratahs head coach Dan McKellar: said: “It’s great to have Isaac on board for the next couple of years.
“He's a good young loosehead prop with enormous potential, working hard on his set piece game to develop around scrum, line out and maul which will complement his natural talents as a rugby player - very physical, good footwork, physical and accurate on both sides of the ball.
“He’s certainly someone that'll give us good strength and depth in a really important position.”
Rugby Australia’s Director of High-Performance, Peter Horne said: “We are excited to lock in Issac for a further two years following a successful season in 2024 that included Tests against Wales, Georgia, South Africa, Argentina, New Zealand, Scotland and Ireland.
“At just 24 years old, Issac’s best rugby is still ahead of him and we are looking forward to see him continue to evolve at provincial and international level.”
Position: Prop
Height: 190cm
Weight: 129kg
Born: July 13, 2000
Place of birth: Melbourne, Vic
Test debut: 2024 v Wales in Sydney
Wallaby number: 975
Test caps: 8
NSW Waratahs number: 1757
Super Rugby debut: 2021 v Queensland Reds in Brisbane
Super Rugby caps: 23
First Rugby Club: Harlequin Junior Rugby Club
Current Rugby Club: Randwick
