Bolter Isaac Kailea joins growing list of Victorian Wallabies and could have best birthday ever at AAMI Park

A bold prediction from his rugby-loving dad nearly came true for one of new Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt’s debutants who is in for a special treat this weekend.

Isaac Kailea made his Wallabies debut against Wales. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images for ARU

Just as Isaac Kailea was starting to “string a few good games together” for the Melbourne Rebels during the early stages of the Super Rugby season the Wallabies fixture was released.

A clash with Wales in his town stood out to the 23-year-old’s father, Tevisi, who immediately put a big red circle around it and made a bold declaration.

“My dad is my biggest supporter … he said to me you’re going to make your Wallabies debut on your birthday in Melbourne,” Kailea said on Monday, recalling the moment the notion first appeared on his radar.

Kailea, born and raised in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, won’t be making his debut, he knocked that off in Sydney last week coming off the bench as part of coach Joe Schmidt’s new look national team that recorded a first-up win.

Isaac Kailea signs autographs after his debut in Sydney. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

But the chance to take to AAMI Park in front of what could be a “whole stand” of family and friends is something Kailea has fought hard for, knowing the path to the Wallabies from Victorian rugby is harder than for those from heartland states.

His presence in the gold jersey continues a growing list of Victorians to make a presence in the national team, including reigning John Eales medallist Rob Valetini as well as his captain at the now defunct Rebels, Rob Leota.

The demise of the Rebels, shuttered by Rugby Australia having racked up more than $23m in debt, has cast a shadow over the code in Victoria, but Kailea’s ascension on the back of others is a light of hope.

“Those boys laid the platform for guys like myself and hopefully more in the future,” he said.

“Coming from Melbourne, not so much being the underdogs anymore but playing with that chip on your shoulder, guys in Queensland and Sydney, I’m not going to say they have got it easier, but it’s definitely a lot harder to try and crack that next level.

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“It will be interesting the next couple of years seeing where that goes, but I always looked up to those guys and now following in their footsteps, it’s been a dream come true.”

Kailea did what most sporting Victorian youngsters did and played Australian rules.

“I was the big guy to get in there and hit bodies, I couldn’t really kick,” he said.

But his family history – his father is from Tonga – demanded he find his way to rugby, with the ultimate reward now his and an opportunity he knows he has to make the most of.

“It was always a goal to be playing for the Wallabies,” he said.

“But at the start of the year I was just looking to get some good performances for the Rebels and finishing the year strong. I don’t think I could have placed myself in this position without (his dad’s) help and his backing. He believed in me first before I believed in myself.

“Having a game in Melbourne, potentially playing in front of my family, it’s going to be pretty special.”

Originally published as Bolter Isaac Kailea joins growing list of Victorian Wallabies and could have best birthday ever at AAMI Park