Rhys Van Nek

Rockhampton raised, front-row forged and built for the dark arts of the scrum — Rhys Van Nek is the kind of tighthead who loves the grind and lives for the shove. 

Raised in Queensland and educated at Bremer State High School, Van Nek’s rise began through the Queensland Reds Academy before earning Australian Schoolboys honours and representing Brisbane City. A powerful tighthead with a strong set-piece foundation, he continued his upward trajectory with selection in the Australia U20 side in 2019. 

That promise saw him signed by the Melbourne Rebels at the end of 2020, and in 2021 he made his Super Rugby debut against the Reds at Suncorp Stadium — a fitting hometown introduction to the professional stage. 

Van Nek made the move to the Brumbies in 2023, adding depth and muscle to the front row stocks in Canberra. Since arriving, he has continued to refine his scrummaging craft and around-the-park work rate, earning selection for Australia A’s European tour at the end of 2024. 

In September 2025, he was called into the Wallabies squad as injury cover for a Test in Cape Town — further recognition of his development — though he is still awaiting his official international debut. 

Heading into the 2026 season, Van Nek stands as a driven tighthead on the cusp — experienced, hardened and pushing hard to convert opportunity into a long-awaited Wallabies cap.