'I'm grateful': Rugby Australia's signing splurge continues as Len Ikitau inks new deal
Rugby Australia has secured Len Ikitau's services for another two years with a new deal that will keep him with the Wallabies and ACT Brumbies until 2025.
Ikitau has 26 starts in the gold jersey and is among those expected to secure a ticket on the plane to this year's Rugby World Cup in France.
The Brisbane-born centre made his debut in 2021 in the series against France, which Australia won on home soil.
Watch the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season on the home of rugby, Stan Sport. All matches streaming ad free, live and on demand
The 24-year-old has had an impressive run with the Wallabies, missing just one Test match since his first start.
Len Ikitau has comitted to Rugby Australia on a two-year deal. Rui Vieira via AP Photo
"I'm grateful to be able to continue playing my rugby here in Australia," said Ikitau.
"The Brumbies gave me an opportunity out of school when nobody else did and there's nowhere I'd rather be at this point in my career.
"There's a lot to look forward to over the next couple of years with the Wallabies and I'm focused on continuing to play my best so I can continue to earn those opportunities."
Ikitau is the latest in a growing list of signings by Rugby Australia.
Fraser McReight, Rob Leota, Matt Gibbon, Taniela Tupou, Rob Valetini, Angus Bell, Allan Alaalatoa, and Jake Gordon have all recently recommitted to deals either through to 2025 or 2027.
Rugby Australia's efforts are aided by the forthcoming British & Irish Lions series in 2025 and the home Rugby World Cup which follows in 2027.
Len Ikitau has missed just one Test since his debut in 2021. Mark Baker via AP Photo
New Wallabies coach Eddie Jones hailed Ikitau's signing, labelling the Brisbane Boys' College product a must-watch player in Super Rugby Pacific.
"Len has the potential to become a high-class Test centre and to have him re-sign with Australian Rugby is outstanding," said Jones.
"He's been in great form for the Brumbies and we'll continue to watch him closely throughout the Super Rugby season."
NEW PODCAST! Sean Maloney, Morgan Turinui and Stephen Hoiles have their say on the Joseph Suaalii signing, the rise of the Rebels, and the Waratahs struggles
Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham added, "Retaining Len was always going to be really important for us as a club and we're really happy he'll be staying with us for at least another couple of years.
"Traditionally a lot of players move on after a World Cup so for us to have already secured the likes of Allan (Alaalatoa), Bobby (Rob Valetini), Frosty (Nick Frost), the Lonergans (Lachlan and Ryan) and now Len is really pleasing and it says a lot about how those boys feel about our environment here at the Brumbies."
The Brumbies will face the Waratahs on Saturday at 7.35pm (AEDT).
It's expected Jones will announce a Wallabies squad on Sunday.
Eddie Jones' remarkable career in pictures: Wallabies coach's tortured Rugby World Cup history
