The Wallabies might not have a coach locked and loaded for their 2027 World Cup campaign yet, but Rugby Australia can at least celebrate the fact they’ll have Len Ikitau a part of the showpiece event.

Despite signing a short-term deal with Exeter, the 26-year-old will return to Australia following next season’s English Premiership and play for the Brumbies in the 2027 season in the lead up to the Wallabies.

The Roar understands Ikitau has signed a 17-month deal with Rugby Australia that will see him contracted from mid-2026 through to the World Cup. An announcement is expected imminently.

Although Ikitau’s deal with the Chiefs will start following The Rugby Championship, it’s believed he will be able to feature in two of the Australia’s end of year Tests – an Autumn Nations Series that will prove crucial in the Wallabies’ hopes of earning a high seeding ahead of January’s World Cup draw.

It’s believed the deal is worth the best part of $800,000.

Len Ikitau will miss the 2026 Super Rugby competition but be back in Australia in time for the 2027 World Cup. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Ikitau’s retention for the World Cup is a significant boost for the Wallabies, especially off the back of the news that his Brumbies and Test teammate Noah Lolesio had opted to head to Japan.

There had been fears that Ikitau would take up an option to extend his deal with the Chiefs through to June 2027, but it’s understood Rugby Australia came back to the drawing board and wanted him on home shores in Super Rugby well in advance of the World Cup.

While he was inexplicably overlooked for the 2023 World Cup despite likely being fit for their opening fixture in France, Ikitau showcased his quality under Joe Schmidt in 2024.

He might have started the Test season slowly after recovering from a leg injury suffered at training, but by year’s end the Brumbies midfielder had well and truly put himself on the international radar.

His flick pass to put away Max Jorgensen made global headlines as the Wallabies exploded back onto the national agenda and, indeed, made the rugby globe sit up and take notice after his stunning afternoon against England.

Ikitau then backed it up against Wales a week later with another fine performance in their record win.

Although his new midfield partner Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii captured the international attention, the fact Ikitau seemingly shifted to inside-centre to accommodate the NRL code-hopper showed his quality.

It also meant that he was in for a huge salary bump, with very few players able to cover both centre roles.

Len Ikitau manages to put Max Jorgensen away at the death during the Wallabies’ late win over England at Allianz Stadium on November 09, 2024 in London. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Ikitau’s decision to sign a short-term deal is in part because he wants to test the market following the World Cup – a tournament the midfielder is desperate to feature in after his controversial omission under Eddie Jones.

Speaking to The Roar in January, Ikitau admitted he was thinking long and hard about a move overseas because he wanted to ensure he could provide for his family.

“That’s honestly a tough one because you have to factor in your family,” Ikitau said.

“That’s the main thing, making sure you’re able to provide and create a future for your family. That’s the most important thing for me, but I think it’s just being happy too and I’m happy here at the Brums.”

Making the decision harder was that he was coming off the “best tour” he’d been on.

But the talented centre, who will return against the Hurricanes on Saturday after missing last week’s shutout over Moana Pasifika with a concussion, won’t have to worry about giving up the Wallabies jersey anytime soon after sorting out his future.

Brumbies and Wallabies officials will hope more good news is around the corner, with Test outside back Tom Wright likely to stay in Australian rugby for the 2027 World Cup.

Les Kiss is expected to take over from Joe Schmidt as Wallabies coach. (Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Rugby Australia officials will also be hoping that news of Ikitau’s retention buys them some more time to work through a deal with Queensland Rugby Union officials that allows Les Kiss to take over from Schmidt in October.

The Reds boss is midway through his three-year deal at Ballymore, but the 60-year-old doesn’t have an international clause in his contract to allow him to be snapped up by national unions.

Despite the constant talk of his move to the Reds, Kiss told reporters on Wednesday the Reds hadn’t been distracted by the unfolding events and that he was “sleeping well”.