Born: January 1, 1989 – Auckland
Test record: 0 Tests

Veteran Wigan forward Willie Isa played for New Zealand in a World Cup warm-up match against Leeds in 2022.

Born in Auckland, Isa moved to Sydney as a one-year-old and grew up in the Penrith area, attending St Dominic’s College and playing his junior football with St Mary’s Saints.

Isa played for Penrith in the inaugural NYC season in 2008 and made his NRL debut for the Panthers at centre in the final round, before linking with Melbourne. He managed five top-grade games for the Storm in 2009-10.

He played on the wing for Samoa against New Zealand in a 2010 post-season Test, which the Kiwis won 50-6.

Heading to Super League, Isa had stints with Castleford (2011) and Widnes (2012-15) – where he gradually transitioned to the pack – before landing with Wigan.

Isa’s tenure at Wigan has encompassed more than 200 games and Super League grand final victories in 2016 and 2023.

At the age of 33, Isa had the honour of playing in the Kiwis’ match against Leeds prior to the World Cup in England, guesting alongside former Test stalwarts Dean Whare and the retiring Thomas Leuluai. New Zealand won 74-0.