Pritchard, who made his Super Rugby Pacific debut last season against the Fijian Drua, is eager to leverage his experience from the recent Super Rugby AUS and a tour to Hong Kong to secure a regular spot in the Brumbies’ line-up next year. With the departure of Len Ikitau, who has joined the Exeter Chiefs, Pritchard is focused on stepping up in the centres.
Reflecting on his rapid progression, Pritchard shared with Rugby.com.au, “It’s moved pretty quickly. I didn’t really have that much time to go, ‘wow, this is what I’ve actually done this year.’ I’ve got through a lot… the Super Rugby debut, which was an unreal experience over there in Fiji. I’m still pinching myself to this day to believe that actually happened.”
Training alongside seasoned players such as Lenny Ikitau, Tom Wright, and other veterans, Pritchard has found inspiration in their professionalism and work ethic. He expressed gratitude for the learning opportunities and community within the team, stating, “It’s been unreal just with the boys around me, the standards, the Wallabies boys. I’m just trying to take everything I can from those guys.”
Looking ahead to 2026, the Brumbies are preparing for a challenging season, with Tom Wright expected to be sidelined until at least May. However, Pritchard is optimistic, citing his experiences with the Wallabies and the meaningful connections formed in recent camps. “The vibe’s been pretty good actually. The camp brought us a bit closer… it was a good connection piece,” he noted, emphasizing the importance of trust within the group.
He praised Tom Wright’s guidance during his rehabilitation process from an ACL injury, highlighting the significance of focusing on the finer details outside of training sessions. Pritchard elaborated, “One piece of advice from him is that it’s the little stuff that you can do outside of actually being on the training paddock… that’s probably the biggest thing I’ve taken away from the year.”
With emerging talents like Jarrah McLeod, David Feliuai, and Ollie Sapsford joining the ranks, Pritchard feels confident that healthy competition will enable the Brumbies to sustain their performance even with a challenging fixture list ahead. The team is committed to embracing the future and fostering a culture of growth and resilience as they navigate the upcoming season.