After a colossal year, the 2026 season will be a chance to reset for many Australian sides, with a new coach to lead the Wallabies and Super Rugby titles up for grabs - and one player that many are looking to is Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.
The 18-capped Wallaby has been a stalwart of the gold jersey since his debut, winning the 2025 Rookie of the Year, and Brumbies young guns in Kadin Pritchard and Jarrah McLeod are looking to the Wallaby outside centre as their benchmark.
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The Brumbies have come off their preseason camp at Kosciuszko National Park, with both Pritchard and McLeod establishing themselves as talents to watch in the ACT side.
Pritchard made his Super Rugby debut against the Fijian Drua during the 2025 season, while McLeod shot to attention following a stunning performance off the bench for the First Nations Pasifika XV against the British & Irish Lions.
Both have continued their growth during the Brumbies’ Super Rugby AUS campaign and the ACT side’s recent 63-31 victory over Hong Kong China.
For Pritchard, with the 2026 season coming up quickly following the holiday period, the young centre has several targets he’s keen to measure himself against.
“You could say Suaalii, just Suaalii,” Pritchard said to Rugby.com.au.
“I wouldn't mind going against him, testing myself and seeing how I could go against him. The Wallabies 13, [that] would be pretty unreal.
“A second one, probably going against my brother. That'd be an unreal experience.
“If I got to take the field with him, and then going up against him, that would be a pretty crazy experience for myself, him and for our family.”
McLeod, who scored two tries against the Waratahs during Super Rugby AUS, would also love the opportunity to face Suaalii, or any player who can push him to be better.
“I'd probably have to say Suaalii, like Kadin said,” the 21-year-old echoing his Brumbies’ team mates.
“[I’d] give him a little crack. He looks like he can be a tough one [to beat].
“There's so many in [all] the teams, I'd just be happy to go against everyone and see how I'm going there… I'm more grateful for the opportunity that I'm in.
“[I’m] just working hard for family to get me into this spot where I am at the moment.”
The two centres might get their opportunity sooner than expected, with the Brumbies set to face the Waratahs in Round Seven and Round 15 of the forthcoming Super Rugby Pacific season.
