The NSW Waratahs have continued their recruitment spree, picking up Wallabies enforcer Rob Leota from the Melbourne Rebels.
Leota will add leadership, experience and toughness to the Waratahs forward pack, where he will reunite with several Wallabies teammates including Angus Bell, Langi Gleeson, and David Porecki.
Leota is equally adept at either lock or in the back row and his intense physicality on both sides of the ball is renowned internationally.
Growing up in Melbourne, Leota represented Australia at both schoolboys and under-20s level before making his Super Rugby debut for the Rebels against the Crusaders in 2016.
He grew to become a cornerstone of the Rebels forward pack and went on to make his Wallabies debut in 2021 against South Africa when Australia defeated the World Cup champions 28-26 on the Gold Coast.
"We're extremely pleased to have Rob joining our club," said NSW Waratahs director of performance Simon Raiwalui.
"Rob led the Rebels with distinction and has proven his ability on the world stage with the Wallabies."
Leota, who has family ties in Sydney, has settled into life well in the harbour city and is happy to have found a new home at the Waratahs following the closure of the cash-strapped Rebels.
"It's good to obviously have some Rebels boys here as well that I've played with the last couple of years," he said.
"Darby (Lancaster) is a Wallaby now and I know that he and (Andrew) Kellaway will both be great additions to the Tahs next year.
"(Coach) Dan McKellar was another big reason why I came here as well.
"He's a coach that's hard but fair. He's going to expect us to work hard and concentrate on the little effort areas.
"I'm looking to use my experience and help the young boys here, especially the guys in my position."
While Leota, Lancaster and Kellaway are all coming from Melbourne, the Waratahs - who collected the wooden spoon this Super Rugby season - also have NRL star Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii joining the club next year.
