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.