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'Entirely different to what the referees asked for': All Blacks assistant on South African TV director's influence
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Len Ikitau on why he'll likely snub an R360 offer
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Wallaby inside centre Len Ikitau admits that the prospect of earning millions with R360 isn’t enough of a lure for him to miss the 2027 Rugby World Cup, which is being held on home soil.
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Ikitau has just landed in Devon to take up his £400,000 short-term deal with the Exeter Chiefs but won’t be considered to face Bristol Bears at Ashton Gate on Saturday after only joining his team-mates for training on Thursday afternoon.
Instead, he is set to make his debut against Harlequins next weekend when he will be joined by his Wallabies team-mate Tom Hooper, who arrives in the country on Sunday.
Earlier this week, major rugby unions, including Australia, said that anyone who joins the breakaway league won’t be available for international selection, and Ikitau, who was approached to sign up, says the risks outweigh the rewards.
“It looks like it is going to be an exciting competition. It’s too bad that all the national unions are saying, ‘If you play in that competition, you can’t play in the World Cup.’ You’re kind of weighing up your options.
“I feel like a new competition for rugby would be awesome, but being a part of it, who knows? I think my manager’s been in touch, but I’m here with Exeter, and then I’m back with the Brums next year.”
“It sells itself being able to play in a Rugby World Cup, but in Australia, I don’t think you get the opportunity again if you miss out on it.
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“So just having that in the back of my mind, wanting to be able to represent Australia in the 2027 World Cup, is something I want to do, 100 per cent,” he said.
Ikitau has already picked out one of his new team-mates that he can’t wait to work with – England star outside centre Henry Slade – in what promises to be an outstanding partnership.
“I want to learn from him. He is a really good kicker, so I want to learn how to kick the ball like him and maybe a bit of goalkicking. Pick his brain, but I’m getting old. I just want to bring my experiences and add value to the team.
“Another reason I wanted to come here is because I wanted to grow my game, and I know that playing in the Premiership, I’m only going to get better as a player.
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“It gets cold here, so I’m going to have to muscle up in the middle. That’s an area I really want to improve and get better at,” he added.
