Rugby Australia and the ACT Brumbies are thrilled to confirm Len Ikitau has re-signed for a further two years through until the end of 2027.
The 26-year-old will take a short sabbatical with the Exeter Chiefs in the UK Premiership beginning in late 2025 and will return to Australian Rugby ahead of the 2026 international season.
Ikitau capped a strong 2024 campaign with a stellar Autumn Nations Series during which he generated international headlines for his audacious flick pass that sent Max Jorgensen over for a match-winning try against England at Twickenham.
Born in Brisbane, Ikitau started his high schooling at Marsden State High School in Logan City before accepting a scholarship to Brisbane Boys' College for his final two years, where he featured alongside fellow Wallaby Darcy Swain in the first XV.
He earned selection in the Australia Schools Barbarians in 2015, before moving to Canberra after high school, linking up with the Tuggeranong Vikings as he pursued his dream of playing professional rugby.
It was from the nation's capital he was then Australian Under 20s with injury cruelling his opportunity to feature in the 2018 World Championships in France.
He had to wait until 2019 to earn a spot in the ACT Brumbies Super Rugby squad, making his debut for the club later that year against the Blues in Canberra.
The fleet-footed centre was a bolter in Dave Rennie's 2020 Wallaby squad, despite having played just eight Super Rugby matches, but he would have to wait until the following year to earn his Test debut, becoming Wallaby number 944 when he made his Test debut against France in Melbourne in 2021.
He has since gone on to represent the Wallabies on 39 occasions, remarkably having missed just eight Tests through injury since his debut and has pulled on the ACT Brumbies jersey on 69 occasions.
Wallaby number 944 and ACT Brumbies centre Len Ikitau said: "I'm really happy to have my future sorted and I can now put my full focus in performing well for the Brumbies and hopefully the Wallabies later this year.
"I'd like to thank the Brumbies and Rugby Australia for their flexibility in this agreement and my family and I are looking forward to a unique life experience in the UK with Exeter.
"To know we'll be coming back home to Canberra and the Brumbies is very reassuring, especially with the home Rugby World Cup not far away."
Rugby Australia's Director of High-Performance, Peter Horne said: "Len has evolved into an important member of the Wallabies and Brumbies and we are thrilled he has re-committed to Australian Rugby.
"Such is his standing in the game, Len's services were in high demand by clubs and leagues around the world. But he made clear from the start his desire to be a long-term Wallaby and his excitement to represent his country at a home Rugby World Cup in 2027.
"We believe the short stint in the UK will prove beneficial to Len's continued development and look forward to welcoming him back in the Australian Rugby fold before the first Test of the 2026 season."
ACT Brumbies head coach, Stephen Larkham said: "Len brings an incredible energy to the group and as I said recently, he's a world-class centre and I think the best defender in his position across the globe. He's having another terrific season so far, after making a great impact for the Wallabies on their Spring Tour.
"We wish him the best in England next season and will be looking forward to his return here in 2027. However, for now, Len will be focussed on securing success for the Brumbies and our fans in Canberra in 2025."
Ikitau's re-signing follows that of fellow Wallabies Fraser McReight, Nick Frost, Harry Wilson, Jeremy Williams, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Matt Philip, Isaac Kailea and Lachlan Lonergan in recent times.
Position: Centre
Height: 182cm
Weight: 96kg
Born: October 1, 1998
Place of birth: Brisbane, Queensland
Test debut: 2021 v France in Melbourne
Wallaby number: 944
Test caps: 39
Super Rugby debut: 2019 v Auckland Blues in Canberra
Super Rugby caps: 69
First Rugby Club: Tuggeranong Vikings
Wallabies v Fiji at 1:30pm AEST on Sunday July 6 at McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Wallabies v British & Irish Lions at 7:45pm AEST on Saturday July 19 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Wallabies v British & Irish Lions at 7:45pm AEST on Saturday July 26 at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
Wallabies v British & Irish Lions at 7:45pm AEST on Saturday August 2 at Accor Stadium, Sydney
Wallabies v South Africa at 1:10am AEST on Sunday August 17 at Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg
Wallabies v South Africa at 1:10am AEST on Sunday August 24 at DHL Stadium, Cape Town
Wallabies v Argentina at 2:30pm AEST on Saturday September 6 at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Wallabies v Argentina at 2:00pm AEST on Saturday September 13 at Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Wallabies v New Zealand at 5:05pm AEST on Saturday September 27, Eden Park, Auckland
Wallabies v New Zealand at 5:45pm AWST on Saturday October 4 at Optus Stadium, Perth
Wallabies v Japan at TBC on Saturday October 25 at National Stadium, Tokyo
Wallabies v England, at 2:10am AEDT on Sunday November 2 at Allianz Stadium, London
Wallabies v Italy at 4:40am AEDT on Sunday November 9 at TBC
Wallabies v Ireland at 7:10am AEDT on Sunday November 16 at Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Wallabies v France at 7:10am on Sunday November 23 at TBC
