Irae Simone, born on July 10, 1995, is a rugby union player originally from New Zealand who currently represents Australia.
He plays for the Brumbies in the Super Rugby competition and primarily operates as a centre.
Simone's sporting journey began in rugby league, where he showcased his skills despite predominantly playing rugby during his senior high school years.
Despite attracting interest from both codes, he signed with the NRL club South Sydney Rabbitohs at the end of 2013. At just 18 years old, he left his family in Auckland and relocated to Sydney to pursue his NRL aspirations.
During his time with the Rabbitohs, Simone exhibited his immense talent, scoring 19 tries in 36 games at the under-20s level. He earned a promotion to the NRL squad for the 2016 Auckland Nines tournament.
However, behind the scenes, Simone faced challenges as he grew frustrated with positional changes and limited feedback from coaches. It was during this time that Northern Suburbs coach Simon Cron reached out to him, offering an alternative pathway in rugby union.
Joining Northern Suburbs in the Shute Shield competition, Simone made an immediate impact as an inside centre. While the team initially struggled, he quickly established himself as one of the most dangerous players in the league during Norths' 13-match winning streak.
His outstanding performances caught the attention of Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson, who offered Simone his first Super Rugby contract. He made a strong impression in his debut season with the Waratahs, appearing in 10 matches. However, he did not feature in the following season, leading him to make a move to the Brumbies ahead of the 2019 Super Rugby season.
At the Brumbies, Simone formed a formidable centre pairing with Tevita Kuridrani. His powerful physicality, standing at 193cm and weighing 105kg, contributed significantly to the team's success as they reached the Super Rugby playoffs. Simone showcased his consistency by featuring in almost every game for the Brumbies, accumulating 26 Super Rugby caps and scoring three tries by January 2020.
In 2020, Simone continued to excel for the Brumbies as the team emerged as champions in the Super Rugby AU competition. He made 14 appearances and crossed the try line three times. As a result of his exceptional performances, he earned his maiden call-up to represent the Wallabies, making his debut for Australia in October 2020.
Simone's journey demonstrates his versatility, adaptability, and the impact he can make on the field with his size, skill, and playmaking abilities.
KG(08/07/2023)
Career
 |
Clermont Auvergne Inside Centre |
2022 - present |
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Sydney Rays Inside Centre |
2016 - 2017 |
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NSW Waratahs Inside Centre |
2017 - 2018 |
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Canberra Vikings Fly Half |
2018 - 2022 |
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Australia Inside Centre |
2020 - 2023 |
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ACT Brumbies Inside Centre |
2019 - 2024 |
