‘One for the future’: Ex-Wallaby backs rising star to shine against Lions

Before the new Super Rugby Pacific season got started, former Queensland Reds outside back Mac Grealy embraced every bit of a gruelling pre-season in the scorching heat out west – with temperatures getting as high as about 40 degrees during January.

Grealy had scored two tries against Wales for the Queensland Reds last July, and hit the ground running with the Force during the regular season. Coach Simon Cron regularly turned to the 23-year-old as a starting option either at fullback or on the wing.

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt namedropped Grealy alongside Andy Muirhead, Lachie Anderson and Triston Relly, although national selectors instead decided to go with Paris Olympian Corey Toole in Australia’s 36-man squad to take on Fiji on July 6.

Bok attack coach Tony Brown on Barbarians challenge

Bok attack coach Tony Brown on Barbarians challenge

But Grealy will still potentially have an opportunity to take on some of the world’s best, with the British & Irish Lions kicking off their tour of Australia this weekend in Perth. 95-Test Wallaby Kurtley Beale highlighted Mac Grealy as someone Lions fans should watch out for.

“In the back three we’ve got Mac Grealy. I think he’s been outstanding for us this year,” Beale told reporters on Tuesday.

“A young fullback who came across from the Reds. Sharp on his feet – I don’t want to give him too much but he’s a super talent and one for the future, that’s for sure.”

Beale was asked the same question about the national side, pointing out Len Ikitau and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii as “our dangermen” mere weeks out from the Lions Series. Ikitau and Suaalii joined forces during last year’s Spring Tour, playing a key role in Australia’s win over England.

Suaalii has since debuted for the NSW Waratahs and been named in the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific Team of the Year, while Ikitau also enjoyed a solid campaign before heading to English Premiership side Exeter Chiefs on sabbatical.

Coach Schmidt has also selected youngster Max Jorgensen, Tom Wright, Andrew Kellaway, Noah Lolesio, Tate McDermott and Jake Gordon as options in the backline. But, as Beale explained, these upcoming Test matches will be won up front.

“I think Joe Schmidt’s got a great coaching staff behind him and I think the Wallabies are building nicely,” Beale said.

“I think the Northern Hemisphere tour last year was a really good indication of that, really testing those teams up there and building a lot of cohesion and connection and I think that’s going to be important going into the Lions Series.

“The centre pairing, I’d probably go with Lenny Ikitau and [Joseph-Aukuso] Suaalii there, and I think they’re our dangermen.

“If you forward pack can lay that platform up front, really challenges the Lions in set-piece which is going to be crucial… there’s going to be some exciting backs are thriving off that.”