When it comes to meteoric rises in 2025, few have been faster than Jarrah McLeod - his breakout performance for the First Nations Pasifika XV being backed up with several performances in Super Rugby AUS.
With a Len Ikitau-sized hole to fill in the Super Rugby Pacific side, McLeod is ready to bring his explosive game to Canberra and push for a regular starting position.
Watch every second of Super Rugby Pacific live and on demand via Stan Sport.
It’s been an incredible year for the 21-year-old Yuin man, with him starting the year juggling a labouring job with Brumbies academy training.
“I haven't been able to sit down and reflect,” McLeod told Rugby.com.au shortly after completing training.
“I've had a couple of phone calls with family back at home, conversations about it and that kind of stuff, I’ve had a wonderful couple of months… [but] I haven't really reflected on it that much. I will when we get this two-week break for Christmas, just kick back with family.”
Having now also been part of the Brumbies’ Super Rugby AUS squad and having travelled to Hong Kong, McLeod has had more time to recognise the significance of the First Nations Pasifika XV clash against the British & Irish Lions - and what it meant for him.
“It was one of those games where we had to put on a show because we didn't know if it was going to come back or not,” McLeod added. “Within the group, the team, we all had that hunger to go out there. They [the Lions] put on a show against all the other Aussie teams, so we wanted to go out there and show them how us as brothers could build and push through.
“[It was] unlucky we didn't [win], but it's been a hell of a ride.”
Now McLeod has locked in a professional contract with the Brumbies, the star has worked hard getting his fitness levels up and building cohesion and combinations, with Super Rugby AUS providing a glimpse of his potential.
It has proven to be a significant step up for the young centre, having cut his teeth in the national pathway systems.
“Coming from Pathway, you've got to try and build up to things: ruck speed, how quick the Brums want to play,” McLeod explained. “We've got this mentality of playing quick, fast ball, getting around the corners, so it's just trying to get your head around that.
“That means if you have to get a little bit of extra fitness up underneath you, so you'd be able to get around the field. Playing in Super AUS, you've got some fellas that have played Super Rugby, so just to be with them and their knowledge that they have, you get to learn off them.
“It's like a live-and-learn moment when you get there, and you've just got to take it with 100 per cent going into it…They're going to look at the way you work around the field, your hard work, and your knowledge around the field.
“[I’m] knuckling down, making sure I do my role right, and if I understand my role, then the game plan should go pretty easily.”
With so many stars and Wallabies at the Brumbies, McLeod will have no shortage of players to build combinations with and learn his craft. However, there are two particular players he is most keen to take the field with.
“Andy Muirhead, I'd love to take the field with him, the old fella,” McLeod said.
He's been around the game for a while, one of the Indigenous boys. Every Indigenous little boy who is playing union looks up to him.
“I'd say Wrighty [Tom Wright] as well. He's so true on the field; he's got such a professional mindset in his head. You learn a lot of stuff with him, the little things, extras. He gives you what he can give you, and you just gotta take that on the chin.”
