Northern | US

Queensland's rugby prodigy announced as new target for NRL expansion team

Treyvon Pritchard of the Reds breaks away from the defence during the round 13 Super Rugby match between Queensland Reds and Chiefs at Suncorp Stadium, on May 08, 2026, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Comments
1 Comment

Incoming Wallabies coach Les Kiss has urged for level heads and trust in the product from Rugby Australia after rising star Treyvon Pritchard was linked to the NRL’s PNG Chiefs.

ADVERTISEMENT

The mesmerising 19-year-old has shone in his rookie season at the Queensland Reds under Kiss, who will take over the Test job later this year.

He skipped past Chiefs star Damien McKenzie on Friday for his first Super Rugby Pacific try and days later was linked to Papua New Guinea’s incoming NRL franchise who boast the same name.

Video Spacer

Is there room for Fainga’anuku and Tavatavanawai? | RP

Leicester Fainga’anuku and Timoci Tavatavanawai are two of Super Rugby’s best but their skillsets are very similar. Could you fit them both in an All Blacks 23? Watch the Aotearoa Rugby Pod on RugbyPass TV now.

Watch now

Video Spacer

Is there room for Fainga’anuku and Tavatavanawai? | RP

Leicester Fainga’anuku and Timoci Tavatavanawai are two of Super Rugby’s best but their skillsets are very similar. Could you fit them both in an All Blacks 23? Watch the Aotearoa Rugby Pod on RugbyPass TV now.

Older brother Kadin plays in the centres for the ACT Brumbies and, like his teenage brother, is off contract beyond 2027.

“There’s people talking behind closed doors on a lot of things in that area,” Kiss said of the reports linking them to the NRL’s hot new option.

“It does not surprise me, when you’ve got the qualities he does.

“He’s a superb young man; so coachable, great in the locker room and bloody good on the footy pitch.

“No doubt there’s machinations beneath the radar (to keep him in rugby).

ADVERTISEMENT

“The attention is warranted, that’s for sure and he’s made it clear he loves it here at the Reds and loves the game of rugby.”

Rugby Australia is locked in a recruitment battle with the rival code.

The NRL will add the Perth Bears to the mix next season and Chiefs, offering tax-free wages, in 2028.

Meanwhile, Super Rugby Pacific is bracing for the likely exit of Moana Pasifika next season, leaving the code with a 10-team competition and a host of talent looking for new homes.

“There’s always pressure on trying to retain and recruit; that’s the nature of the business,” Kiss said of the tug of war for talent.

ADVERTISEMENT

“We keep a level head (at the Reds) and Rugby Australia.

“We know our product is brilliant and the world game we offer is so seductive.

“So we focus on what we have to do to make sure people want to stay with us.”

Watch Super Rugby Pacific live and free on RugbyPassTV in the USA! 

Watch Super Rugby LIVE on RugbyPass TV

Tune in to every Super Rugby Pacific 2026 match live and on-demand on RugbyPass TV and via the RugbyPass app.

Watch Live
Streaming available in the USA only.
ADVERTISEMENT
Play Video
LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

1 Comment
K
KwAussie 6 mins ago

Well you can’t blame him considering RA have consistently demonstrated that the easiest way to become a Wallaby is to go play league for a few years and then when you come back to rugby you get a free Wallaby jersey and an insane wage without ever needing to demonstrate you deserve it. Their stupid decisions have always made this a path for good young players.

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Long Reads

Comments on RugbyPass

Close Panel
Close Panel

Edition & Time Zone

{{current.name}}
Set time zone automatically
{{selectedTimezoneTitle}} (auto)
Choose a different time zone
Close Panel

Editions

Close Panel

Change Time Zone

Watch Super Rugby LIVE on RugbyPass TV

close

Tune in to every Super Rugby Pacific 2026 match live and on-demand on RugbyPass TV and app.

Watch Live
Streaming available in the USA only.
Copied to clipboard

Share Article close