LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
The Brisbane Broncos are set to lose another outside-back as uncapped winger Israel Leota transitions to rugby union.
According to The Courier Mail, the 20-year-old has agreed to join Super Rugby team Moana Pasifika in 2026 after being persuaded by All Blacks legend Tana Umaga.
Leota has yet to make his first-grade debut with the Broncos but is recognized as a promising talent, having scored 18 tries in 21 games for the Broncos' feeder club, Souths Logan, in the Queensland Cup.
Despite his potential, Leota has faced stiff competition for a first-grade spot, behind players like Selwyn Cobbo, Jesse Arthars, Gehamat Shibasaki, Josiah Karapani, and Deine Mariner.
He is reportedly opting for a career in New Zealand rugby, having previously played the sport as a teenager.
Reflecting on his journey, Leota stated, "I went to union for a year because I was going to a GPS school and I switched and played some AFL.
I only came back to playing league when I was 16, went to Souths Acacia Ridge to play with my mates and now I'm here.
As a young kid growing up, every young kid from Queensland wants to play for the Broncos and Queensland."
Leota's departure joins that of Selwyn Cobbo and Latrell Siegwalt, both of whom are also leaving the club in 2026.
Cobbo has signed a one-year deal with the Dolphins following a fall from grace with coach Michael Maguire, while back-up fullback Siegwalt has reportedly inked a deal with South Sydney.
Additionally, in a surge of transfer activities on Thursday, Tyson Walker, the younger brother of Sam Walker, has been reported to sign with North Queensland.
At just 17, he was part of the Roosters' premiership-winning SG Ball Cup team but faced uncertainty about his future at the Bondi club.