Matchwinner Izaia Perese glad to put hellish injury run behind him

It took Izaia Perese far less time to score his sensational match-winning try against Sale Sharks than it did to run through his catalogue of injuries during this week’s media session.

The six-times capped Wallaby has had rotten luck since arriving at Mattioli Woods Welford Road from the Waratahs ahead of this season, but those accumulated months of frustration were put behind him when he came off the bench and made an immediate impact to tilt the semi-final in Leicester’s favour.

Perese was introduced to the fray with 13 minutes to go, with the scores tied at 16-16, and delivered the telling blow with his very first touch of the ball from 40 metres out.

“It is one of, if not the biggest moment, (for me) especially in just playing for a club. I think this is the highest honour, to be honest,” he declared.

“The season has been up and down with injuries for myself personally, but I am glad to come back from my injury and sort of make an impact on the semi-finals last week and hopefully can do the same for this week.”

Fixture

Gallagher Premiership

Bath

23 - 21

Full-time

Leicester

All Stats and Data

Perese’s issues started with a concussion, followed by an ankle knock and injuries to both shoulders. A syndesmosis injury against Saracens kept him out for a further eight weeks before the Brisbane-born player made his timely return against Sale.

“The season has been up and down with injuries for myself personally, but I am glad to come back from my injury and sort of make an impact on the semi-finals last week and hopefully can do the same this week.”

Perese has experienced the Allianz Stadium before, as a sub for the Wallabies against England in 2021. He described the atmosphere on that occasion as “unreal”. But that should be nothing compared to the noise generated by passionate Bath and Leicester fans who’ll pack out the ground this Saturday.

Despite what is at stake in Michael Cheika’s last match in charge of the Tigers, Perese maintains it will be “business as usual” this week.

Perese, 28, feels everyone will stay focused and in the required mindset – with Bath winning 43-15 and scoring seven tries at the Recreation Ground last month.

“It is just business as usual,” said Brisbane native Perese, who signed for the Tigers ahead of the 2024-25 campaign from New South Wales Waratahs.

“Obviously, in Grand Final week, the stakes are a lot higher, but we just prepare the same, do our homework, go out and get after it.”

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

3

Draws

0

Wins

2

Average Points scored

26

22

First try wins

40%

Home team wins

80%

Perese, whose 67th-minute try from a scintillating run was his first touch of the ball, added: “It is one of, if not the biggest moment, (for me) especially in just playing for a club. I think this is the highest honour, to be honest.

“The season has been up and down with injuries for myself personally, but I am glad to come back from my injury and sort of make an impact on the semi-finals last week and hopefully can do the same for this week.”

There is sure to be plenty of sentiment around Cheika’s stint as head coach coming to an end after just one season, with former Tigers player Geoff Parling set to take over in August.

Retiring club stalwarts Dan Cole and Ben Youngs will both also be hoping for a memorable sign-off at Twickenham.

However, Perese is in no doubt that Cheika will again keep his squad firmly grounded.

“Last week was our semi-final and now we are into the Grand Final – and I think this is where Cheika really gets into his element,” Perese said.

“He is such a smart guy when it comes to the mental side of the game.

“He has been doing so well at preparing us for whatever (comes this season), and in saying that, he has remained the same guy, so I think that is the most important part.”