‘What every kid dreams of’: How bolter found out about Wallabies call-up

Toby Macpherson was back home in Goondiwindi when his Wallabies dream was realised. The 2024 Australia U20 captain was named in the 34-man squad to face the All Blacks in two Tests, and acknowledged that news was “a little bit surprising.”

Macpherson had just come off a breakout campaign with the ACT Brumbies, which began with a Super Rugby Pacific debut in early 2026. The versatile forward then captained the side during the second edition of Super Rugby AUS, with the Brums finishing the season with a 1-2 record.

The 22-year-old has just pulled into the driveway at home in the south-west Queensland town, having helped his dad with a few jobs before getting the call. Macpherson then drove back up to Brisbane, before flying to Auckland ahead of this weekend’s fixture at Eden Park.

Coach Les Kiss selected Macpherson and Harry McLaughlin-Phillips as two uncapped players in the squad, although ‘HMP’ was with the team ahead of the 42-38 win over the Springboks at Optus Stadium in Perth.

Macpherson covered both lock and the backrow for the Brumbies this year, scoring twice in his maiden start against the Fijian Drua. But now, as the Wallabies continue to prepare for their first Bledisloe Cup Test of 2026, Macpherson just wants to be a sponge.

“It’s what every kid dreams of. It’s certainly what I dreamed of watching the Wallabies back home with a very passionate rugby family,” Macpherson told reporters in Auckland.

“These couple of weeks are probably the one that you pencil in and everyone gets excited for. Going to previous games as a kid and supporting the Wallabies, it’s certainly special and certainly something that I don’t take for granted.

“It’s pretty special. I’m certainly pinching myself, the fact that I’m here with these boys in this group. I’m just really looking forward to getting stuck in and hopefully playing my part in this team.”

Macpherson is a product of the Brisbane Boys’ College First XV, and the utility forward would go on to captain an Australian side at the inaugural U20 Rugby Championship on the Sunshine Coast and the World Rugby Junior World Championship.

The Brumbies announced on November 8, 2024, that Macpherson would spend one season on loan with Japan Rugby League One side Toyota Verblitz, before returning to Canberra ahead of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season.

Macpherson was able to play in a team alongside the likes of Michael Hooper and Aaron Smith, and be coached by Sir Steve Hansen and Ian Foster. It was an opportunity abroad that helped the forward “see a different style of rugby.”

“Certainly my preparation, the way I look at how I prepare throughout a week, I learned a lot in that experience being far from home, not having my family there, but also learning off the guys that were there,” Macpherson explained.

“It set me up really well coming into this year with Brums and certainly some of the things that I’ve learned from players that are over there like Michael Hooper and Aaron Smith and the likes, certainly have helped me in my preparation and how I prepare for a week and come into a game with the right mindset.

“I certainly think it’s played a good part in my last 12 months of footy.”

The Wallabies assembled in Auckland on Sunday, as they look to continue their six-match unbeaten run. Kiss has coached the team in five of those Tests, which included a thrilling 28-all draw away to Argentina.

Jeremy Williams, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Lachlan Shaw and Josh Canham have been picked as the locks, with Nick Frost as injury cover. The loose forwards consist of Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Carlo Tizzano and Nick Champion de Crespigny.

“Certainly always look to back yourself but I suppose the platform the Brumbies have provided me and being able to cover multiple positions and get my head around different roles in the team certainly prepares me well for a week like this.

“I’m in a really good headspace, really excited to get around the boys and learn and be a bit of a sponge in this environment.”