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

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.

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.

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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).

“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.

“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.”