Treyvon Pritchard: Reds teenager reflects on breakout year after award win

Queensland Reds teenager Treyvon Pritchard has capped off a breakout season by taking home Santos Men’s Rookie of the Year at the 2026 Rugby Australia Awards, which has previously been won by the likes of Taniela Tupou, Jordan Petaia and Tim Ryan.

But most recently, Pritchard has followed in the footsteps of Wallabies and NSW Waratahs utility Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, who claimed the same accolade 12 months earlier. Both have made their mark in rugby union, with ‘Su’ switching codes from the NRL ahead of the 2024 Spring Tour.

The Queensland Rugby Union and Rugby Australia announced on August 18 that Pritchard had signed a new deal through 2029, despite reported interest from NRL expansion club the Papua New Guinea Chiefs.

Pritchard made 12 appearances for the Reds as a Super Rugby Pacific rookie last season, starting with a debut away to the ACT Brumbies on March 7. The 19-year-old also started matches in the back three for the side coached by Les Kiss, who is now in charge of the Wallabies.

Australia U20 representative honours followed, lining up at inside centre in three appearances at the World Rugby Junior World Championship. Pritchard sustained an ankle injury against Wales, but remains on track for another big year in 2027.

“It means a lot. There’s a lot of big names that have got this award before me,” Pritchard told reporters at the Rugby Australia Awards.

“It’s an honour and I’m really grateful to have had the opportunity to represent the Reds and play Super Rugby this year. It was a dream come true.

“With this injury, we’re working to get back on the field and build for next year and put another season out.”

Pritchard played more than 450 Super Rugby Pacific minutes last season, emerging as a regular member of the matchday 23 under Kiss. The utility earned a maiden start against the Western Force in round 11, and later featured in the XV against Moana Pasifika and the Fijian Drua.

The 2025 Global Youth Sevens MVP returned to age-grade international level for the Australia U20, taking on Spain, Fiji and Fance during the pool stage. Pritchard played the full 80 in a five-point defeat to France, and contributed on the scoreboard with a try in the second minute.

“Super is a cut above. You see the boys that go there, they’re able to step up and do it at international level,” Pritchard said.

“Just being able to be there week in, week out, as lucky as I was… then obviously go back to the under 20s setup was awesome.
Queensland Reds teenager Treyvon Pritchard has capped off a breakout season by taking home Santos Men’s Rookie of the Year.

“Getting around those boys… a lot of them are ready to play Super Rugby. Bouncing ideas back off them and the skillsets that they have allowed me to better myself and picking stuff from their games, just ultimately allowed me to get better.”

Jock Campbell was named the Australian Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year after a career-best season in maroon. It led to higher honours with the Wallabies in July, returning to the Test arena for the first time since late 2022.

The Reds recently announced that Campbell was among six departing players leaving the club, with Wallabies midfielder Hunter Paisami another. But Campbell certainly made an impact during a long stint at the club, as Pritchard explained.

“He’s been a big one for me. He probably excelled his game a lot this year. He’s had a breakout season, probably one of the best fullbacks in Australia.

“Being able to see him grow his game and get that confidence to play like he did this year, it was good for me. Good to be able to sit back and witness what he did and what he’s doing.

“The confidence that he brought into this year, it helped me. He was teaching me a lot this year. I was pretty new into the backfield this year… with him there helping me just made it a whole lot easier. He’s a big one for me.”