Rising star stays put in Australia after declining PNG Chiefs offer

Kadin Pritchard admits it was an easy decision to re-sign with the ACT Brumbies and stay in rugby union until the end of 2030, despite receiving a sparkling offer to join PNG Chiefs.

Kadin and his brother Treyvon have been at the centre of contract speculation following their breakout seasons with the Brumbies and Queensland Reds respectively.

They attracted headlines when the incoming NRL club approached the pair looking to poach them for their inaugural roster in 2028, which risked dealing a blow to Rugby Australia as they look primed for a future Wallabies debut.

With Treyvon reportedly set to remain in the 15-man code after knocking back the enticing tax-free Chiefs offer, Kadin is following suit.

“I’m still trying to get to a higher level, so I don’t want to just go and switch just because the money might look a bit better in the short term,” the centre, who was off-contract at the end of 2027, told reporters on Monday.

“It was pretty cool to see interest from cross-codes. But I love rugby union too much and the Brumbies are where I want to be.

“It (PNG) was definitely a good opportunity. But talking with my brother and all that … (I realised I don’t want to) restart where I’ve been going.”

Along with FaceTime calls with Treyvon, which he said played a big factor in his outcome, the prospect of stability by re-signing with Brumbies was something that appealed to him more.

Coach Stephen Larkham was also adamant he wanted to keep the 22-year-old around, while the return of Wallaby Len Ikitau after a sabbatical to England was the cherry on top.

All those reasons led the centre to make what he said was an easy decision.

“I was fortunate enough to get some good gametime this year, and with a few boys coming back like Len Ikitau … it helped my decision to want to be part of a good organisation,” Kadin said.

“He’s such an unreal player, so I’m going to try and take as much learning as I can from him.

“But also I know that he’s competing for a spot next year, I’m not going to shy away from that.”