Walker-Leawere hails from Ruatōria and is the son of Fijian international and Ngati Porou East Coast player Kele Leawere and East Coast woman Leonie Walker.
Isaia Walker-Leawere made his first-class debut for Poverty Bay in a Heartland Championship game against Thames Valley in 2015. It was the only game he played for the Bay. Photo / Paul Rickard
He made his first-class debut for Poverty Bay in his last year at Gisborne Boys’ High – coming on in the second half in a Heartland Championship 43-37 loss to Thames Valley – before heading to Wellington.
Walker-Leawere is a product of the club’s development system, having played for the Hurricanes Under 18 and U20 teams before making his senior debut against the Brumbies in 2018.
The 28-year-old has since gone on to play 81 matches for the club, making his 50th appearance against the Fijian Drua in 2023.
Following his move to the capital, he spent three seasons with Wellington from 2016.
He joined Hawke’s Bay in 2019 and has since accumulated 50 matches for the Magpies, with whom he claimed the Ranfurly Shield twice and won the NPC Championship in 2020.
Isaia Walker-Leawere in full flight in his last game for Gisborne Boys' High School First XV in 2015 – a 33-all draw against Scots College in the Hurricanes Secondary Schools' semi-finals. Scots won due to scoring five tries to Gisborne's three. Photo / Paul Rickard
Internationally, Walker-Leawere has also represented the All Blacks XV, Māori All Blacks, New Zealand U20, New Zealand Schools and New Zealand Barbarians Schools, and trained with and provided injury cover for the All Blacks in 2024.
He was part of the New Zealand U20 teams who won two Oceania Rugby U20 Championships and a World Rugby U20 Championship between 2016 and 2017, and has earned 14 caps with the Māori All Blacks since 2018.
While disappointed to lose a player of Walker-Leawere’s standing, Hurricanes head coach Clark Laidlaw remained supportive of his decision to head abroad.
“Izzy’s a true Hurricane. He’s been at the club for a long time, is close to that 100-match mark, played all his rugby within the region, has been here since he was young, and he’s really grown into a mainstay and a real character within the team,” Laidlaw said.
“He’s pretty low-key at times, but he takes his rugby seriously. His performance last weekend [a 59-19 win over the Waratahs], I thought he was one of our best players.
“He’s often one of our best players when he plays really well, and I don’t think it’s a coincidence that’s when the team plays really well.
“We’re disappointed to lose him overseas, but it’s an opportunity for him ... to go and further his career.
“He can be bloody proud of his commitment and efforts in New Zealand, not only to us, but to Hawke’s Bay, the Māori All Blacks, and all the teams in black he’s represented. Who knows, he might turn up in the white jersey of Fiji at some point.
“We wish him all the best and look forward to him finishing strongly, starting this weekend against the Force in Napier, where he’s played a lot of his provincial rugby.”
Walker-Leawere acknowledged all those who had played their part in his career and development.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank the Hurricanes and Hawke’s Bay Magpies for everything they’ve done for me,” he said.
“Both organisations have played a huge role in my development as a player and as a person, and I’m very grateful for the support.
“I remain fully committed to the remainder of the Super Rugby season and I’m excited for what’s ahead with Benetton Treviso.”
