Five current and former SVNS stars to watch in 2026 Super Rugby AUS

September is set to be a busy one for Australia’s sevens stars, with nearly all players in the men’s and women’s squads involved in some form of competition on both sides of the world.

While 17 players across the men’s and women’s sides will be in action in the inaugural Ultimate Sevens tournament, several sevens players will also be in action for the Wallaroos European tour, facing England, France and Scotland.

However, several men’s stars are also set for a busy month on the home front, with a selection of current and former players set to feature in the 2026 Super Rugby AUS season.

RugbyPass breaks down several key players fans should keep an eye on when the competition gets underway on 12th September.

Hadley Tonga (NSW Waratahs)

Despite only appearing twice on the HSBC SVNS Series circuit this year, Hadley Tonga made an impact when he did, his two appearances in Dubai and Perth being the two legs where Australia in poll position.

Dubbed “Australia’s fastest player” after running the 100 metres in 10.84 seconds, Super Rugby AUS will mark his official debut in XVs, and he is likely to be a well utilised weapon by Waratahs head coach Lachlan McCaffrey.

Wallace Charlie (Western Force)

A breakout star in the SVNS Series this year and featuring in every single tournament, Wallace Charlie has the makings of a future Wallaby great, the 19-year-old Torres Strait Islander also impressing for Australia U20s, earning five caps.

Signing a long-term deal with the Western Force last year, this season will also mark his debut in XVs, the speedster set to join the Force’s Super Rugby Pacific squads for their 2027-2028 seasons.

Jarrah McLeod (ACT Brumbies)

Already regarded as a cult-like hero for his breakout performance for the First Nations & Pasifika XV against and the British & Irish Lions, Brumbies centre Jarrah McLeod will enter September looking to make statements, starting after earning his second First Nations & Pasifika XV cap against the Tongan President’s XV on Friday.

The 2026 season saw him make his debut in the sevens side that finished third in Perth, while also making his Super Rugby Pacific debut against Moana Pasifika. Having played in Super Rugby AUS last year, a big year under his belt puts him in a prime position to impress Brumbies head coach Stephen Larkham.

Sid Harvey (NSW Waratahs)

Heading into the former player side of the list, six-capped SVNS Series star Sid Harvey made the official move over to XVs in 2025, backing up his strong Australia U20 form by being named in the 2025 Super Rugby AUS Team of the Season, while finishing as the top point scorer (40 points).

Harvey has gone on to earn 11 caps for the Waratahs in Super Rugby Pacific, and will look to make himself a mainstay of the side next year by helping the Waratahs defend their title.

Lachie Anderson (Queensland Reds)

The Queensland Reds have opted for a combination of youth and experience, with five Wallabies named among a wide cast of players from the Reds’ Academy and the Hospital Challenge Cup. Even within that list, Lachie Anderson stands out as a player to watch.

Having spent the last five years in XVs, it is easy to forget Anderson boasts an impressive sevens record, including a silver medal at the 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games in Apia.

With over 50 Super Rugby caps and three Australia A caps to go with over 27 competition appearances in the SVNS Series, Anderson is set to utilise that experience to his advantage as he tries to push for higher honours in the XV’s format.