Former Rebels captain on transition to Waratahs enforcer

Prized recruit Rob Leota is leaning on “nieces, nephews, uncles” to help combat homesickness as he transitions from Melbourne home boy to NSW Waratahs enforcer.

Leota is one of five Wallabies to join the Waratahs for the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season from the defunct Rebels and readily admits having to leave Victoria was initially a wrench.

“Being born in Melbourne, I spent a lot of time there, nine years, fortunate enough to have a Super Rugby team there. So, yeah, when you’ve been there for so long, I guess you’re a bit attached,” Leota said ahead of NSW’s season opener against the Highlanders on Friday night.

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“But it makes me appreciate it even more looking back now and those memories that we were able to have in Melbourne.

“Being able to play in front of my family, my home city. Yeah, there were some challenges along the way but it just shows the strength of the group to be able to stick together and be able to get through a season is an achievement in itself.”

Now the 27-year-old ex-Rebels captain’s challenge is adjusting to life in Sydney.

“Coming to the Tahs, it’s been a great opportunity to test myself in a new environment, which is something that has been challenging in some ways,” Leota said.

“More off the field, just trying to get used to those things coming home and having to cook for yourself and cleaning after yourself. I’ve just been used to being home with mum and dad.

“But no, those things aren’t too challenging, it’s just something to get used to. So you’ve just got to build those habits and it makes it easier to come to work and be able to show up and do something that I love to do, which I’m very fortunate to do.”

Leota credits his huge extended family in Sydney for helping him settle in quickly in the NSW capital.

“Dad’s family is massive here, so I’ve got a whole lot of nieces, nephews, uncles,” he said.

“My dad’s side has got over 20 siblings so you can imagine all his siblings having kids and then their kids having kids.”

After failing to play a Test in 2024, the versatile forward’s other task this year is impressing enough for the Waratahs to win back a Wallabies jersey for the much-anticipated hosting of the British and Irish Lions in June and July.

That’s where Leota hopes new Waratahs coach and former Wallabies assistant Dan McKellar will come in.

McKellar was influential in luring Leota to the Tahs when he could have pursued a big-money move overseas following the Rebels’ demise.

“My first year at the Wallabies, Dan was my forwards coach,” Leota said.

“He helped me a lot when I was at Wallabies. I had a lot of honest conversations with him that probably grew my game for the next couple of years.

“When I found out he was thinking of coming (to the Waratahs), I was hearing it and then Dan reached out.

“I know the type of coach that Dan is. And I think, for me, I never thought that I’d probably play for another Super franchise, but that made my decision a lot easier when I heard Dan was coming here.”

“I know he’s just an honest man and he’s going to give you that feedback that you need – and sometimes it can be critical or real honest.

“But that’s what I respect about him. And I think that’s probably what I was needing.”