News of Willie Isa’s expected appointment to the staff of Premier League football club Chelsea caught many people inside and outside of rugby league by surprise.
As first reported by the Daily Mail‘s Mike Keegan, the former Wigan Warriors second row is expected to join the Blues as a player support and development officer as the six-time English champions aim to utilise Isa’s renowned leadership and mentoring skills.
The 36-year-old’s career change has piqued plenty of interest, and one person who has backed him to make a success of it is renowned former Wales rugby union international fly-half Dan Biggar.
- Peet praises ‘fascinating spectacle’ of Wigan’s 1-0 loss to Leigh
- Like and subscribe to rugbyleaguehub.com on YouTube
“Their decision to bring in ex-rugby league player Willie Isa in a consulting role is fascinating – and exactly the kind of outside-the-box thinking elite teams need to embrace,” Biggar wrote on LinkedIn.
“Isa won’t be working on tactics or formations. Instead, he brings something just as valuable: the ability to get the best out of people.
“Whether it’s football, rugby, or any other sport, one constant remains – success starts with good people and strong leadership. In sport and business, it’s those one-two percent gains that separate the best from the rest.
“Isa’s leadership experience at Wigan – his ability to drive standards, build culture, and develop winning mindsets – is just as valuable as any tactical blueprint.
“This move signals a bold shift in thinking – and it’ll be fascinating to see how it plays out.”
Neither Chelsea nor Isa have officially confirmed the move yet, but the former Samoa international did refer to pursuing a new opportunity as a key factor in his decision to retire from playing rugby league ahead of the 2025 Betfred Super League season.
He was long regarded as one of the leaders in the Wigan dressing room and won particular praise for his mentoring of fellow second row Junior Nsemba, who has emerged as one of the brightest stars in Super League in recent years.
“He’s a mentor to me,” Nsemba, who chose rugby league over football as a junior, told Sky Sports ahead of last year’s Betfred Challenge Cup final.
“When I was younger, trying to decide between football and rugby, I was watching Willie and when I did start playing rugby professionally, I was happy with that.
“Willie has been there and is still doing it, so he’s just teaching me what he knows.”
