Xavier Willison, a forward for Brisbane, once harbored aspirations of becoming an All Black, but his trajectory shifted after experiencing his first rugby league match.
At the age of 21, Willison caught the attention of Broncos recruitment head Simon Scanlan during a visit to Rotorua while playing for the Wai-Coa-Bay Stallions. Despite primarily idolizing dual-international Sonny Bill Williams, Willison’s exposure to rugby league was limited before being scouted by Scanlan.
Reflecting on his journey, Willison recounted, “It’s actually a pretty crazy story. I was playing union and I’d never even played rugby league, because rugby league’s not really big in New Zealand, and my mate asked me if I wanted to come.” From there, his talent was recognized by Scanlan, leading to his recruitment by the Broncos.
Transitioning from his childhood dream of donning the All Blacks jersey, Willison now aspires to secure a starting position for the Broncos and clinch a premiership title. His commitment and work ethic have impressed Scanlan, who highlighted Willison’s growth within the Broncos system.
Despite facing setbacks like a labrum tear that sidelined him during last year’s finals series, Willison remains determined to contribute to the team’s success. With mentors like Ali Brown and Payne Haas guiding him, Willison continues to hone his skills and aims to elevate his game.
With standout performances like his recent display against the Dolphins, where he showcased his running ability, defensive prowess, and scoring capability, Willison is poised to realize his ambitions on the field. His ongoing development will face another challenge as the Broncos take on Canberra at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.