Queensland winger Izaia Perese has destroyed the hearts of many Union fans after making a stunning code-swap to the NRL, as reported by the Sydney Morning Herald.
Perese was touted as one of the most exciting prospects for the Wallabies just last year, after his performance for a Wallabies' touring squad prompted coach Michael Cheika to say that he was "killing it".
Now, it is understood that he will leave the NRC and his future as a Wallaby to join the Brisbane Broncos through a training replacement contract, spending 2019 with feeder club Redcliffe Dolphins but likely to commence a full-time deal in 2020.
Perese was identified by Cheika as a bonafide star on the rise, so his departure will be a great blow for the coach and for Australia's World Cup plans as a whole.
He's killing it," Cheika said of Perese last year.
"He's in a very competitive position. I think he's a guy who can defend in the midfield as well.
"He's got that genuine pace; he's got a great mindset and a great attitude. He's coming along very nicely."
Perese's defection to the Broncos will allow Rebels winger Sefa Naivalu to move north to the Queensland Reds as something of a consolation prize for Union fans, where he should be afforded significantly more game time in the lead up to the World Cup.