Jarrah McLeod has his sights set on the green and gold of the Wallabies – and he's not far off.
The Yuin man was named in the inaugural First Nations & Pasifika XV team who faced off against the British & Irish Lions last week.
He came off the bench, at inside centre, dominating Lions captain Owen Farrell.
"It's been an exciting week," McLeod, 21, told NITV.
"I wasn't too stressed coming on the field, it was the day before – I was sitting in my room and sweating."
Jarrah McLeod of the First Nations & Pasifika poses with family following the tour match between First Nations & Pasifika v British & Irish Lions at Marvel Stadium on July 22, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. Credit: Graham Denholm/Getty Images
League to union
Growing up in Nowra on the NSW south coast, Jarrah was raised on rugby league.
In Year 8, he received a scholarship to attend Knox Grammar School in Sydney's north, where his rugby union career began.
But he still played league too, taking the field with La Perouse Panthers.
"Knox was where I got introduced to rugby union, I didn't know any of the rules, I had to learn on the spot," he laughed.
He was recruited by South Sydney Rabbitohs as part of their development side, and then moved across to Canterbury Bulldogs.
But, after the HSC and the structure of schooling fell away, Jarrah began to struggle.
"I wasn't caring about my body as much and I didn't get picked for a side. I was left without options and so had to have a think about what I wanted to do," he said.
He took a chance on union, heading to the ACT Brumbies Indigenous Pathways Program (IPP).
In the first three weeks he was injured, but the recovery process motivated him to look after himself and put footy first.
"I've been in Canberra ever since, trying to put my head down and focusing on footy," he said.
Making the big time
On Friday, ACT Brumbies announced their signing of Jarrah for two years. He'll represent the club in Super Rugby Aus and Super Rugby Pacific.
Brumbies head coach Stephen Larkham said their eyes were on the youngster during the IPP and he used the Lions game to "show the world just how good he is".
"We're really looking forward to Jarrah joining us full-time next season," he said.
"He's an excellent ball carrier for someone of such a young age."
Jarrah said he's found a home with the Brumbies, particularly under the mentorship of teammate and Barunggam man Andrew Muirhead.
"I have a lot of people backing me, especially my family and the Brumbies community," he said.
"I was going through a stage where I was lazy, didn't want to go to training, sleeping in and missing morning gym. I had to get a talking to.
"Family have my back, they push me to keep doing my thing and Andy has always had my back, no matter what. He's like a little father to me, rips into me if I need to work on stuff."
Andy Muirhead of the First Nations & Pasifika in action during the tour match between First Nations & Pasifika v British & Irish Lions at Marvel Stadium on July 22, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. Credit: Jonathan DiMaggio/Getty Images
"It's different to league, it's a different game and a lot of rules. But, it's backyard, eyes-up footy, which every single Indigenous boy knows how to play," he said.
"There's so much support in union, we want more Indigenous boys in the game. There is only like eight of us in the game."
With a big career ahead of him and undeniable talent, Jarrah remains humbled and dedicated, with his eyes firmly on the Wallabies jersey.
"I want to be successful at rugby union," he said.
"I want to make the Wallabies and be one of the best players in the game. I want to travel the world and showcase my mob and my family, make them proud."
