Breakout year has Willison charging into 2026 with lofty expectations

A slightly nervous Xavier Willison walked into pre-season on November 1, 2024 unsure what to expect. 

The emerging Broncos forward had heard the stories of gut-busting Michael Maguire training sessions and had a sense of trepidation about what was to come. 

One year on, Willison knows exactly what to expect from his second pre-season under Maguire. But he also knows the rewards that can follow in the new year. 

Having capped a breakout 2025 with an NRL premiership and a Test debut during New Zealand's victorious Pacific Championships campaign, the 23-year-old is aiming high for 2026. 

Willison is desperate to help Brisbane defend their title before playing a key role in the Kiwis' quest to hoist the Rugby League World Cup.

They are lofty goals and it all starts with a gruelling summer training block. 

"I know what's going to come this time," Willison said. "I've just got to put my best foot forward and do everything I can during pre-season. I have to cherish it, everyone might hate pre-season but you never know how many pre-seasons you're going to get. 

"It was special to get the win with the Kiwis. I'm focused on doing my job next year for the Broncos and then hopefully I get picked in the squad for the World Cup."

Willison made his NRL debut in 2021 but didn't become a regular first-grader until 2024, where he played 19 games in the top flight.

The forward took his game to the next level last season, featuring in 21 matches and playing a key role in Brisbane's charge to the title. 

Willison ran for 111 metres a game and made 39 tackle busts, and even a broken arm suffered in Round 22 couldn't stop him from getting back on the field in time for the preliminary final.

After learning the ropes from Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan, the youngster has also developed into a mentor for an emerging crop of talented Broncos. 

Brisbane coach Michael Maguire has long been a supporter of Willison and challenged the forward to continue raising the bar in 2026 and beyond.

"I was a big fan of X prior to taking on the coaching role," Maguire told NRL.com. "I've always seen in X he wants to improve not only on the field but off the field. He's developing as a leader and continually working in that space and he got the rewards off the back of the work he's done. 

"Now he needs to have the commitment to keep doing what he's doing. He's at the start of his career, the great Kiwis players have been doing it consistently for years. 

"Xavier's got the ability to put himself in that space, now he's got to build the consistency to keep performing at the highest level."

While Willison's immediate focus is on helping the Broncos defend their NRL title, he has one eye on the 2026 World Cup at the end of the season. 

The prop made his Test debut in New Zealand's dominant win over Tonga, before adding a second cap in the Pacific Cup final win over Samoa.

Willison is a member of the next generation of Kiwis forwards and combined with Erin Clark and Naufahu Whyte to bring the impact off the bench. 

The trio is set to play an even bigger role at next year's World Cup as New Zealand look to hoist the trophy for the first time since 2008. 

Willison spent his time in camp learning from Kiwis veterans James Fisher-Harris, Moses Leota and Joe Tapine, and is eager to build on their legacy in the future. 

"Growing up in New Zealand you work your whole life to get to this point," Willison said. "Playing for the Kiwis is the pinnacle of New Zealand rugby league. 

"It was a bit daunting being in this squad at the start. I knew Fish from Māori [All Stars] and Moses was my roommate. They're down-to-earth people, they helped whenever I needed it and they're good humans. 

"Then Taps is a different beast. I haven't seen a middle like him so it's good to play with him. I've seen what these guys have done over the last few years, it's even better to see what they do on and off the field and learn off them directly."