New Wallabies call-up Toby Macpherson is calling on his experiences with greats from both sides of the Tasman ahead of a potential Test debut.
Macpherson was named in his maiden Wallabies squad last week ahead of the Bledisloe Cup series, kicking off on Saturday in Auckland.
Watch every second of the Bledisloe Cup series live and on demand via Stan Sport.
It was a ‘full circle’ moment for the towering forward, back at the family home in Goondiwindi, which sits on the NSW-Queensland border, when he got the news.
“I was helping dad with a few jobs and then got the call and found out…it was a cool full circle to get back home and find out,” he told reporters.
The 22-year-old, coming off his first full season in Super Rugby Pacific, has experience beyond his years at second and back row.
Named Australia U20 captain in 2024 under former Wallabies centre and Bledisloe Cup winner Nathan Grey, Macpherson took the rare approach of a Japanese loan deal before making his Brumbies debut.
He signed with Japanese League One side Toyota Verblitz, linking up with the likes of Michael Hooper and Aaron Smith, two of the most experienced players in the history of the trans-Tasman series.
Working under Bledisloe-winning coaches Steve Hansen and Ian Foster, Macpherson believes his time overseas, along with skippering the Brumbies at Super Rugby AUS, will help him handle the fire of Test Rugby.
“I thought my time in Japan, particularly with Toyota and the coaching staff that I had there, really helped me see a different style in rugby and certainly my preparation,” he said.
“I learnt a lot in that experience being far from home, not having my family there, but then also learning off the guys that were there but also from guys such as Aaron Smith and Michael Hooper.
“I think it set me up really well coming into this year with Brums and it’s helped me in my preparation and how I prepare for a week and come into a game with the right mindset. I certainly think it's played a good part in my last 12 months of footy.”
Macpherson was soaking in the experience and was ready to take his chance if called upon as he joined a Wallabies squad full of confidence on a six-game unbeaten run.
“I think you certainly always look to back yourself, but I suppose the platform that Brumbies have provided me and being able to cover multiple positions and get my head around different roles in the team certainly prepares me well,” he added.
“I’m in a really good headspace, really excited to get around the boys and learn and be a bit of a sponge in this environment.
