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Ruatoria Lock Isaia Walker-Leawere’s Quiet Leadership Propels Hurricanes’ Surge
Isaia Walker-Leawere, the imposing lock from Ruatoria, may not be a vocal leader, but his laconic words carry significant weight within the Hurricanes setup. The 27-year-old has been largely responsible for coordinating the team’s lineout, which ranks fourth-best in the Super Rugby Pacific competition despite the Hurricanes having to utilize six different hookers in 2024.
Walker-Leawere has played more minutes (904) for the competition-leading Hurricanes than any other forward. During the regular season, he made 133 of his 150 tackle attempts and featured in 13 out of a possible 14 games.
The Hurricanes’ victory over the Reds in Melbourne earlier this year showcased Walker-Leawere’s growing maturity as a leader. After the team lost starting captain Jordie Barrett to a red card and then co-captain Asafo Aumua was withdrawn before extra time, Walker-Leawere stepped up to deliver an inspiring speech that rallied the troops. Replacement prop Pasilio Tosi credited Walker-Leawere’s rallying call as the driving force behind his match-winning try.
“I didn’t know who the captain was, but Isaia Walker-Leawere stepped up big time. He rallied us together for a pep talk and said, ‘We’ve got to do this for the bro.’ From that, I was locked in,” Tosi said.
Despite the constant changes in the Hurricanes’ hooker roster, Walker-Leawere has maintained the team’s lineout efficiency. He acknowledges the importance of building strong combinations, crediting veteran lock Bryn Evans for his expertise in organizing the lineouts.
As the Hurricanes prepare to host the Chiefs in the semi-final at Sky Stadium, Walker-Leawere is well aware of the challenge that lies ahead. He expects the visitors to be physical, motivated, and quick to capitalize on any errors. With Blues captain Patrick Tuipulotu unavailable, Walker-Leawere could enhance his chances of an All Blacks call-up with another strong playoff performance.
Despite his quiet demeanor, Isaia Walker-Leawere’s leadership and contributions have been integral to the Hurricanes’ success this season. As they look to progress to the final, the team will be leaning heavily on the Ruatoria lock’s experience and steadfast presence.
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