ISRAEL LEOTA
Age: 18
Position: Centre/wing
One of Brisbane’s top prospects is Leota, an Ipswich Grammar graduate and state level volleyball player who the Broncos lured back to rugby league from rugby union and Aussie rules.
It has been 13 years since
Israel Folau soared in a Broncos and Maroons jersey, and now Brisbane’s next ‘Izzy’ is ready to launch his NRL career.
Cross-code superstar Karmichael Hunt has been coaching Leota at Souths-Logan and said he was a tremendous athlete.
“He is a really athletic, tall outside back who is growing into his frame,” Hunt said.
Broncos young gun Israel Leota mimics Israel Folau’s Origin acrobatics.
“He played league, rugby and volleyball. He has been an elite athlete through the juniors.
“I had him in the Mal Meninga Cup last year and he is a really good ball-carrier with tremendous speed.
“He’s actually got the quickest 40m time at the Broncos across all age groups from juniors to first grade. He has got some really wonderful athletic attributes.
“He made his Hostplus Cup debut for us this year and we’re looking to get more games into him in the near future to develop him.”
Hunt has been overseeing some of the Broncos’ top youngsters over the past two years.
He coached Leota and hooker Blake Mozer in Souths-Logan’s victorious under-18 Mal Meninga Cup team last year and has been watching Te Kura step up in the Hostplus Cup this season.