LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
After extensive speculation, Australia's rising dual-code star, Heinz Lemoto, has made a definitive decision regarding his athletic future, marking the conclusion of his time in rugby league.
As a member of the Under-18s Australian Wallabies squad for 2024 and 2025, Lemoto has quickly gained recognition as one of the country's most coveted talents over the past 18 months, being labeled as the 'Next Big Thing' from the Penrith Panthers' development program.
Initially reported in April, it has now been confirmed that the young back-rower has signed with Stade Toulousain, commonly known as Toulouse, in the Top 14 French rugby union league.
A graduate of The Scots College, Lemoto's transition to France signifies the end of his promising career in rugby league, where he has thrived with the Panthers for three seasons in the Under-17s Harold Matthews Cup and Under-19s SG Ball Cup.
While Lemoto moves on, his brother Hokafonu Lemoto will continue his journey with the Panthers and has recently concluded a notable 2025 season, earning a spot in the Under-19s NSW Blues squad.
"There was a pretty large offer on the table for him to stay, but we were never going to be able match what the ARU or wherever he's ended up offered," stated Panthers CEO Matt Cameron in an interview with News Corp early in December.
"It's just another aspect of what we're dealing with now. So we're not only dealing with other clubs now, but now we're dealing with other codes."