Wallabies fullback Tom Wright is hoping a sharp increase in creative responsibilities at clubland can open up a new element of attack heading into the 2025 Test season.
Wright’s subtle refinement as an all-round playmaker saw the talented outside back shoulder further load in the Brumbies’ attacking shape.
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Used more as a wide running option or out the back and in past years, the 27-year-old finished Super Rugby Pacific third for try assists (nine), only bested by Kiwis Cam Roigard and Cortez Ratima.
It reflects Wright’s shift towards more touches as the first playmaker, which has increased by 50% according to Opta Sports, compared to last year's Super Rugby in one fewer game.
On top of this, Wright’s involvement as either first, second or third playmaker has risen by 35%.
As a result, his try assists and line break assists are up close to 150%, recording career-high stats for both categories.
His 24 break assists in 2025 led Super Rugby Pacific is higher than the combined efforts from his past four seasons for the Brumbies (23).
When asked about it, Wright admits the absence of Noah Lolesio throughout the season forced his hand to step into the role with an inexperienced flyhalf in Declan Meredith.
Even with that, his nine involvements at first receiver against the NSW Waratahs in Round 12 eclipses any single-season mark from 2024.
“It’s a sword I definitely want to keep sharpening,” Wright told reporters.
“Trying to find myself in the wide channels was something that I naturally felt more comfortable doing but knowing that it was more beneficial for the team [I adapted].”
Wright and the Wallabies have been able to pick up where they left off last year, instead of starting from scratch.
However, his increased involvement allows the attack to interchange with greater ease in 2025, enabling the dangerous backline greater fluidity in their shape.
“We're able to just pick up from where we left off a little bit [in 2015] so the structures that are in place here like [inside centre] can be our first receiver, [flyhalf] can be our first receiver, [outside centre] could be there, [wingers] could be there at any stage as well so trying to be really interchangeable,” he notes.
“..It’s just understanding and trying to keep being sharp in that area so that when I do have to do it, I'm able to just execute.”
There is one downside to the attack, according to Wright.
“Al [Alaalatoa] kept scoring and then has not stopped letting me know about it so I was a bit off that but what can you do?,” he joked.
“…We're not too concerned [who is at first receiver] if as long as it's not Al we're not too concerned with who's putting the ball down over the line.”
But for the Wallabies, the increased confidence in Wright as a primary distributor could make a massive difference ahead of a big six weeks of Rugby.
