Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies players Kye Oates (Nunukul, Ngughi, Goenpul) and Jarrah McLeod (Yuin) were recently proudly selected for the historic First Nations & Pasifika XV squad that took on the British & Irish Lions at Marvel Stadium.
The pair are products of the Indigenous Pathways Program (IPP) and made a significant impact with the team in Melbourne. McLeod, 21, announced himself on the world stage when he replaced David Feliuai at half-time and took the game to the best players from Great Britain and Ireland.
And the young centre was cognizant of the importance of the First Nations & Pasifika team in creating more opportunities for Indigenous players in Australia, while underlining the important role the IPP played in his development as a player.
“It just means a lot. I got to put that jersey on, I got to carry my people, my mob, people in Australia as well, especially the brothers in the Pacific,” McLeod said.
“Hopefully it makes the younger kids look up to us and want to be like us and get into rugby union.
“I hope the concept does stick around and we put enough of a show on to make it happen again for when the Lions come back again, for the younger generations to come through.
“The Indigenous Pathways Program has been very good to me. They bring a lot of Indigenous boys in for pre-season. I first came down for Trial matches with a couple of Indigenous boys and it helped us bed into that Super Rugby level. It’s a great chance for Indigenous people out there to get an opportunity in rugby.”
McLeod and Oates were both identified through the IPP, an initiative spearheaded by Rugby Australia’s First Nations Rugby Manager, Matthew Sonter (formerly of the Brumbies), and the Brumbies. The initiative brings young Indigenous players to Canberra, where they train with the club during pre-season and continue their development in the academy while playing for a local team.
The program removes financial barriers by covering cost-of-living expenses, allowing players to focus fully on their rugby and growth. It is the first of its kind in Super Rugby Pacific.
With the backing of Brumbies centurion Andy Muirhead (Barunggam), his company Yara, The RUC Turner and Callida Indigenous Consulting, the program has fostered the growth of 16 young Indigenous athletes since the program’s inception in 2022. The support of the generosity and commitment from these partners have helped bring this opportunity to life, while Muirhead alongside Sonter has played a crucial role in establishing and driving the program.
Sonter was over the moon to see products from the pathway system involved in the inaugural First Nations & Pasifika XV squad and highlighted the amount of work the Brumbies have done in this space.
“What a game at Marvel Stadium and what a fantastic expression of cultural pride,” Sonter said.
“The First Nations & Pasifika XV vs the British & Irish Lions showcased some amazing First Nations and Pasifika talent. However, it's the Indigenous Pathways Program at the Brumbies that is providing the talent identification to allow players to feed into such amazing games of rugby.
“There are four to five steps involved from the identification of the players, to bringing them in for pre-season and then back to club rugby, before training with the senior academy in the Brumby Runners and then pushing on to full-time or wider squad contracts.
“There's a lot of unseen work that goes into this and so the Brumbies need to be applauded.”
McLeod and Oates, 25, have been standout performers in the BentSpoke John I Dent Cup for their club side Canberra Royals, who are top of the 2025 competition ladder.
And the Royals, whom Muirhead also plays for, has a similar, Indigenous Pathways Program which they have had in place since 2018. With support from Calleo Indigenous, the program offers players a supportive environment to pursue both rugby and meaningful employment.
Since its launch, the program has supported 24 Indigenous male and female players.
Canberra Royals secretary and director of inclusion, Christine Wheeler, was delighted to see three players from the Royals turn out for the historic match at Marvel Stadium due to the club’s program.
“We are proud to recognise the achievements of Jarrah McLeod, Kye Oates and Andy Muirhead, who were selected to represent the First Nations & Pasifika squad that played against the British Irish Lions in Melbourne last Tuesday,” Wheeler said.
“Their selection is a testament to their talent, dedication, and the strength of the programs that have supported their rugby journeys.
“Our First Nations Opportunity Program launched in 2018 and laid the foundation for holistic support of First Nations players in rugby. With the incredible backing of the Calleo Indigenous Community Fund and other First Nations-aligned partners, Royals Rugby have invested in more than just the sporting talent of their players — they have invested in the whole person.
“This collective vision is creating a truly transformational pipeline for young Indigenous players in rugby. Jarrah, Kye and Andy are shining examples of what is possible when potential is nurtured with care, commitment, and cultural respect.”
On the subject of McLeod, First Nations & Pasifika XV head coach Toutai Kefu simply stated after the game ‘watch out for him.’ The IPP hopes many more young, Indigenous players will follow in his foosteps through the pathway system.
Watch here for more information on the Brumbies Indigenous Pathways Program
