Joe Schmidt’s plans for next year’s British and Irish Lions series have been dealt a fresh blow, with Izaia Perese confirming he has joined Dan McKellar’s Leicester Tigers.

The tackle-busting midfielder, who delivered an eye-catching performance against Portugal in last year’s World Cup in his sole match in the tournament, has signed a two-year deal with the Tigers.

“I just want to let you know first-hand that this will be my last season, and I’ve signed for two years over at Leicester Tigers,” Perese said on Thursday.

“It was a very, very difficult decision to make, but it was also the best decision to make for me and my family going forward.

“Thank you so much for your support over the last four seasons. I’m going to be finishing this season off strong, and putting it all into this week’s game.”

The move isn’t a surprise, but it will leave Schmidt without one of Australia’s most powerful centres at a time when gain-line metres in the midfield are precious gold.

Given Rugby Australia is desperate to try and keep players onshore in the lead-up to the home 2027 Rugby World Cup, Schmidt is unlikely to be able to call on the services of Perese.

With fellow World Cup squad member Samu Kerevi based in Japan, Perese’s departure will stretch Australia’s depth in the position.

His departure also increases the need for RA to keep the off-contract Hunter Paisami, with the Reds centre the only other direct-running centre able to continually dent the gain-line.

Whether Schmidt opts to select Perese this year remains to be seen, but the highly respected coach has previously spoken about the need for the Wallabies to get back to winning ways after claiming just two of nine Tests in 2023 – both during the World Cup against opposition outside the top 10.

But Schmidt must also put this year’s jam-packed calendar in the context of the Wallabies starting their international season next year against the Lions.

In a 50-50 selection, Perese’s pending departure would likely play against him.

He isn’t the only Wallabies World Cup member heading overseas, with Mark Nawaqanitawase also leaving Australian rugby at season’s end.

For now, both backs will have crucial roles to play for the Waratahs starting on Saturday against the Drua in Fiji.

Not only will Nawaqanitawase run out for his 50th Super Rugby appearance, but he will do so in front of his extended family.

One of several players in the squad with Fijian heritage, Nawaqanitawase’s father’s family live in Nalebaleba, about two hours away from Churchill Park.

The ground, which seats about 14,000, will be packed to the rafters even though Nawaqanitawase’s cousin, Jone Koroiduadua, didn’t make the Drua 23 for the crucial round-five clash after starting in their past two games.

“I think the whole village is trying to get out there, which would be pretty cool,” Nawaqanitawase said before the Waratahs flew out on Thursday.

“It’s just hard to find some tickets because they’ve already sold out the whole thing.

“So it’s been pretty special. It’s very special to have a Fijian side in Super Rugby Pacific, and for a lot of the boys who have Fijian heritage, it’s pretty cool to be able to go back to where the families are from and play in front of them.

“It’s very exciting for all of us.”

Both sides enter the match with a one-from-four record this campaign and struggling to stay in touch with the competition pacesetters, with the Waratahs ninth and Drua 10th on the 12-team ladder.

The Waratahs boast a 4-0 winning record over the Pacific Islanders, but have never played the Drua at home.

Intriguingly, both sides’ only wins this season have come against the defending champions, the Crusaders.

Asked what makea the Drua so dangerous on home soil, Nawaqanitawase shrugged: “They’re Fiji.

“They obviously love the game over there. It’s the No.1 sport and every team the Drua runs out you can see on the TV how packed it is and the fans go crazy.

“The players use that energy on the field, and I’m sure it’s going to be a big crowd out there.

“We’ll have a tough day, but I’m sure our boys are ready for it.”

With AAP