mens
international
Toby Macpherson returned home to Goondiwindi as his Wallaby dream came true. in 2024 Australia The U20 captain has been named in the 34-man squad to face the team All black people in two Tests and admitted the news was “a bit surprising”.
Macpherson has just come off a breakout campaign with the ACT Brumbies, which began with a Super Rugby Pacific debut early 2026 The versatile forward then captained the side during the second edition of Super Rugby AUS, with the Brums finishing the season 1-2.
The 22-year-old had just pulled into his driveway in the south-west Queensland town after helping his father with a few jobs before getting the call. Macpherson then drove to Brisbane, before flying out Auckland ahead of this weekend’s game at Eden Park.
Coach Les Kiss selected Macpherson and Harry McLaughlin-Phillips as the two uncapped players in the squad, although ‘HMP’ was with the squad ahead of the 42-38 win over the Springboks at Optus Stadium in Perth.
Macpherson covered both the lock and the back line Brumbies this year, scoring twice in his first start against Fijian Dru. But now, as the Wallabies continue to prepare for their first Bledisloe Cup Test in 2026, Macpherson just wants to be a sponge.
“It’s what every kid dreams of. It’s certainly what I’ve dreamed of watching the Wallabies at home with a very passionate rugby family,” Macpherson told reporters in Auckland.
“These few weeks are probably what everyone gets excited about. Going to the previous games as a kid and rooting for the Wallabies, that’s definitely special and definitely something I don’t take for granted.”
“It’s pretty special. I’m definitely pinching myself, the fact that I’m here with these guys in this group. I’m just really looking forward to getting stuck in and hopefully playing my part on this team.”
Macpherson is a product of the Brisbane Boys’ College First XV and the main forward will captain the Australian side at the inaugural U20 Rugby Championship on the Sunshine Coast and the World Junior Rugby Championship.
On 8 November 2024, the Brumbies announced that Macpherson would spend a season on loan with Japan Rugby League One’s Toyota Verblitz, before returning to Canberra ahead of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season.
Macpherson was able to play in the team alongside Michael Hooper and Aaron Smith and was coached by Sir Steve Hansen and Ian Foster. It was an opportunity abroad that helped the striker “see a different style of rugby”.
“Certainly my preparation, the way I look at preparing during the week, I learned a lot in that experience of being away from home, not having my family there, but also learning from the guys that were there,” Macpherson explained.
“It’s set me up really well going into this year with the Brums and certainly some of the things I’ve learned from the players that are there like Michael Hooper and Aaron Smith and the like have certainly helped me in my preparation and how I prepare for the week and go into the game with the right mindset.
“I certainly think that played a good part in my last 12 months of football.”
The Wallabies gather in Auckland on Sunday as they look to extend their six-match unbeaten run. Kiss coached the team in five of those Tests, which included a thrilling 28-man draw away to Argentina.
Jeremy Williams, Lukhan Salakaia-Lotto, Lachlan Shaw and Josh Canham were selected as locks and Nick Frost as injury cover. The loose forwards consist of Rob Valitini, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Carlo Tizzano and Nick Champion de Crespigny.
“Certainly always support each other, but I guess the platform the Brumbies have given me and being able to cover multiple positions and think about different roles in the team certainly sets me up well for a week like this.
“I’m in a really good space, I’m really excited to get around guys and learn and be a bit of a sponge in this environment.”
