If you scroll through the thousands of mentions on Australian mega star Jacob Elordi's Instagram right to the first, it's not a fan edit video, but rather a special tribute from former lock Melbourne Rebels skipper Rob Leota long before he became famous.
Leota has reflected on his bond with one of the fastest-rising stars in the world after Elordi captured Hollywood's hearts in films such as The Kissing Booth and Saltburn along with the cult show Euphoria.
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The 26-year-old has amassed close to 14.1 million Instagram followers but before the fame, the popular actor was scrummaging it down with some of Australia's finest Rugby talent.
This included Rebels skipper Leota, who quickly created a bond with the towering Elordi as they went through Victorian representative sides together.
“I played with him Victoria when he came from Brisbane at state trials at 14s and got actually really tight with him from right until he left back to Brisbane,” Leota reflects.
“We became real tight in Victoria and I’m meant to visit him and try and go to America actually.
“I sent him a message and he replied so it’s pretty cool to see he hadn’t changed.”
Elordi would go on to play in the Queensland School Rugby trials in the same side as Darcy Swain, Len Ikitau and Alex Mafi before turning his focus towards acting.
He remains in touch with some of the 'Burn boys, having featured in junior sides along with Leota and Jordan Uelese amongst others
“The last time he come to Melbourne sometime last year I was away but he was still catching up with the boys that we played 14s and 16s with," Leota admits.
“It’s pretty cool to see that he’s still definitely watching from afar from the messages he’s sent and even the few other boys we played with like Jordan Uelese and the other Victorian boys.
“He’s still supporting from afar which is pretty cool to see. The life he’s living now is pretty awesome so when you still see him supporting the boys from afar it’s pretty cool."
Leota's focus remains on captaining the Rebels after missing out on the honour in 2023 due to injury.
“It’s exciting for me and I think it was hard to watch from the seats given the season that we had," he said.
“I’m definitely excited and trying to embrace the season and the trials have been exciting. It’s the first time I’ve pulled on the Rebels jersey for about a year and a half so it was cool to be able to run out with the boys.
“I think everyone’s excited to kick off and having that first game at home against the Brumbies who are a great outfit in front of home fans as well will be awesome."
