ACT Brumbies centre Len Ikitau believes stepping out of his comfort zone with a short-term sabbatical in England will bring the best out of him after confirming his future.
Ikitau has re-signed with Australian Rugby until 2027 but will spend six months playing for UK side Exeter in the Premiership.
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He will join a host of familiar faces, with former centres partner Tamati Tua already telling him to expect the cold and wet conditions.
On top of this, Brumbies teammate Tom Hooper has also signed alongside Waratah Julian Heaven.
“It’s a refresher for me. I want to experience a different brand of footy and living over in Europe will be nice,” Ikitau told reporters in Canberra.
“We get that family time to hand over in England and hopefully get to travel.
“It’s going to be wet, cold and miserable over there, but it’s something I’m looking forward to and challenging myself to be the best player I can be.”
Ikitau conceded his original thoughts were to stay in England and forgo the home World Cup in 2027.
However, the opportunity and magnitude of the event is too hard to pass up on top of the culture built at the ACT Brumbies.
“You don’t really get the opportunity to have a World Cup in Australia often,” he said.
“Wanting to be a part of that was something I didn’t want to miss out on. For me, it’s about playing good footy and making sure I’m a part of that 2027 World Cup.”
Ikitau will return to the Brumbies’ starting side after missing last week’s win with a concussion.
“That was pretty scary,” he admitted. “I think the last time I got something like that was in school, and I went to sleep and didn’t wake up for five minutes.
“I’ve gone through the process and the protocol,s so I’m ready to go.
“I love contact but things are going to happen so it’s key to bounce back this week and make sure I don’t get my head in the wrong position.”
