Rob Leota

Rob Leota is an Australian international back-row forward who brings genuine Test-match pedigree to French club Aviron Bayonnais. Born on 3 March 1997 in Preston, Victoria, and of Pacific Island heritage, Leota made his name with the Melbourne Rebels, where he became a cornerstone of the pack and a notable figure in the club's history before its closure. His form earned him international recognition with the Wallabies, and he has represented Australia in Test rugby, accumulating more than twenty caps since his debut in 2021 against South Africa. A blindside flanker who can also operate at number eight, Leota is renowned for his physical carrying, his strong defensive work and the energy he provides around the field. After a season with the New South Wales Waratahs, he made the move to France in 2025, signing for Bayonne in the Top 14, where his experience and abrasive style add valuable steel to the forward effort. A seasoned campaigner with leadership qualities, Leota offers Bayonne a proven operator capable of standing up in the physical confrontations that define French rugby.