Hurricanes lock Isaia Walker-Leawere will join Italian club Benetton Treviso following the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season.
The 28-year-old has since made 81 appearances, bringing up his 50th cap against the Fijian Drua in 2023.
He is also the son of Flying Fijians legend Kele Leawere.
This move to Italy also opens the door for Walker-Leawere to join the FIJI Water Flying Fijians, possibly.
Walker-Leawere made his first-class debut for Poverty Bay while still a student at Gisborne Boys’ High School in 2015.
He has also represented the All Blacks XV, Māori All Blacks, New Zealand Under-20, New Zealand Schools and New Zealand Barbarians Schools, and trained with the All Blacks as injury cover in 2024. He has also earned 14 caps with the Māori All Blacks since 2018.
Walker-Leawere says the move to Italy is an exciting opportunity, and he is incredibly excited to be joining Benetton Treviso and starting this new chapter in his career.
He would also like to sincerely thank the Hurricanes and Hawke’s Bay Magpies for everything they have done for him.
Hurricanes head coach Clark Laidlaw says Walker-Leawere has been a valued member of the club.
The Hurricanes play the Force at 6.05pm Friday.
In other matches, the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua will meet the Brumbies at 3.35pm Saturday, the Crusaders will face the Highlanders at 6.05pm Saturday, the Reds play the Waratahs at 8.35pm Saturday, while the Blues meet Moana Pasifika at 2.35pm Sunday.
Source: Stuff.co.nz
