Kadin Pritchard will make his Super Rugby Pacific starting debut after being named at outside centre for the ACT Brumbies’ season opener against the Western Force in Perth on Saturday.
The 21-year-old is set to fill the vacancy left by Len Ikitau’s departure following a strong pre-season.
Watch every second of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season live and on demand via Stan Sport.
“Kadin has had an outstanding pre-season and really demanded selection with his performances in the trials,” head coach Stephen Larkham said.
Now entering his second year in Canberra after progressing through the Brumbies academy, Pritchard said the opportunity to start round one would be a significant milestone.
“It would be unreal,” Pritchard said. “It would just show the hard work that we’ve been putting in through this pre-season and the battles we’ve had between the boys in the same position.”
The Brisbane product, who played his schoolboy rugby at St Peter’s Lutheran College and club rugby for Brothers, credits the club’s senior Wallabies for accelerating his development.
“There’s a healthy amount of Wallabies boys here. Taking all the little details of professionalism from those boys and bringing it into my own game has really helped me get to where I am," he explained.
Pritchard describes his game as built on “a bit of speed, a bit of power and a bit of fend”, while embracing the leadership role Larkham has encouraged him to take within a youthful backline group.
“He wants me to step up as a young leader and influence the game,” Pritchard said. “I try to be quiet, but when there is something I feel strongly about, I'll put my foot down and say what I need to say.”
After falling just short of the title last season, the Brumbies begin their 2026 campaign in Perth against a Force side he expects to test them physically and around the ruck.
“They like to play fast and physical. They’ve got a halfback who likes to scoot and challenge us at the ruck.”
The 21-year-old now has the opportunity to turn a strong pre-season into Round 1 impact in Perth.
