Giant Hamilton-born forward Xavier Willison received a maiden Kiwis call-up for the 2025 Pacific Championships after starring in Brisbane Broncos’ drought-breaking NRL premiership triumph.
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The Whatawhata Wolves junior made his NRL debut for the Broncos in 2021 – two days before his 19th birthday – but suffered an ACL injury after three appearances.
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Willison was an intermittent member of Brisbane’s first-grade side over the next two seasons, as well as turning out for Queensland Cup outfits Norths Devils and Wynnum Manly, and representing Cook Islands against Samoa in 2022.
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The 199cm powerhouse made the first of two appearances to date for the Māori All Stars in 2024 and cemented a permanent spot in the Broncos’ 17.
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A broken forearm late in the 2025 regular season shaped as a devastating blow for Willison and the Broncos. But he returned to score a crucial try in their epic preliminary final comeback win over Penrith – the 23-year-old’s 50th NRL game – and led Brisbane’s forwards with 146 metres in the grand final triumph against Melbourne.
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Willison was the sole newcomer chosen in Stacey Jones’ 2025 New Zealand squad. Willison was rewarded with selection for the New Zealand Kiwis, making his Test debut off the bench against Tonga in front of a passionate home crowd at Eden Park. The 23-year-old’s inclusion signalled the rise of a new generation of Kiwi forwards.