Former Australia U20s captain Toby Macpherson has signed a two-year deal with the Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies.
Macpherson, 21, has been a key part of club side Uni-North Owls’ march to the John I Dent Cup Grand Final this weekend, where they will face Tuggeranong Vikings at Viking Park on Saturday.
The New South Wales-born utility forward thanked the club for showing faith in him, having been a part of the club’s Academy in recent years, and was delighted to be able to make the step up to the Super Rugby Pacific squad for 2026.
“I’m incredibly grateful and proud to be signed by a club that has given me so much, it means a lot to have this kind of trust and belief from the organisation and coaching group,” Macpherson said.
“I’ve loved Canberra, the Brumbies and this playing group since moving here three years ago. I look forward to seeing where we can go as a club and individually in the coming years.”
Macpherson was born in Dubbo, central NSW, but moved up to Goondiwindi on the Queensland border at the age of two from Narromine in NSW. Goondiwindi is a small country town around four hours west of Brisbane. Rugby plays a key role in connecting the community, with the majority of the town from a farming and agricultural background.
He started playing rugby at the age of four for Goondiwindi Junior Rugby Club, while also having a year at Weebolla Bulls Moree Rugby. Macpherson then attended Brisbane Boys’ College, with famous rugby alumni such as Will Genia and James Horwill and former/current Brumbies players such as Len Ikitau, Darcy Swain and Tom Banks. He played from Under 13s through to First XV, while also rowing throughout his entire duration at the school.
Following Brisbane Boys’ College, he moved to Canberra to join the Brumbies Academy, where he cites Head of Elite Pathways and Player Development Daniel Hooper and Head of Strength and Conditioning Tristan Sharp playing a key role in his growth as a player.
In 2023, he was part of the Brumbies U19s side that lifted the Super Rugby title, with his form earning him selection for Australia U20s. The following year, he was again selected for Australia U20s and captained the side during their World Rugby U20s Championship campaign in South Africa. He was rewarded for his strong season as captain at last year’s Rugby Australia Awards, where he was named Junior Men's Player of the Year.
Macpherson went on to spend time on loan at Toyota Verblitz in Japan in 2024/25, playing alongside legends of the game such as Pieter-Steph du Toit, Michael Hooper and Aaron Smith, before returning to the Brumbies this year. He was last week named in our Super Rugby AUS squad ahead of games against the Reds, Western Force and Waratahs next month.
Brumbies General Manager of Professional Rugby and Pathways Cam Treloar was excited by the prospect of Macpherson stepping up from the Pathways program.
“We’re really pleased to see Toby make the step up to the Super Rugby Pacific squad,” Treloar said.
“He’s demonstrated to us over the last few years his temperament and leadership qualities, which are outstanding for a player of such a young age, as is his impressive ability to lead and read the lineout.
“We’re looking forward to seeing the impact he makes in Super Rugby AUS next month and then Super Rugby Pacific next year.”
