It’s been a path less travelled for Latrell Siegwalt, who has capped a massive 2026 season with a call up for France in the IRL Rugby League World Cup.
Originally hailing from Wagga Wagga, the lively utility back made his NRL debut for the Rabbitohs in Round 10 this year after a whirlwind journey to the big stage.
‘Discovered’ by then Redcliffe Dolphins coach Ben Te’o after starring for Walgett in the 2023 Koori Knockout, Siegwalt headed up to Queensland to play Hostplus Cup in 2024, winning Rookie of the Year honours.
The next season, he followed Te’o to the Broncos after signing a train and trial contract, before making the move to join his favourite childhood club for the 2026 season, debuting under Wayne Bennett.
Frayssinous excited for debutant Latrell Siegwalt
After a meeting with France coach Laurent Frayssinous in Sydney earlier this year where they discussed standards and what they where looking to build, Siegwalt will now represent his paternal grandfather, who lives in Walgett.
“Latrell’s come a long way, I first saw him playing in an Indigenous carnival, saw the footage of him playing, asked a couple of people about him,” Te’o said.
“I didn't know too much about his journey at the time, but I knew what I saw.
“I had a lot of conversations with his father, some real good conversations about Latrell taking a step to move out of home, move out of Wagga Wagga, take that leap and really back himself to come up here.
“I told his father that if he came up here, I'll look after him and I'll make sure that I develop him.
“So, he came up and there were some tough times for him navigating the move, but he really stuck it out.
“He'd became a big part of Redcliffe Dolphins, then he'd became someone who got a train and trial with the Brisbane Broncos, which led on to South Sydney.
“To see him debut with all his family (was special).”
Siegwalt celebrates a special debut
Now an assistant coach for the Australian Kangaroos for the RLWC26 tournament, Te’o first experienced World Cup football as a youngster for Toa Samoa in 2008, before a code switch to rugby union saw him represent England and Great Britain.
After also recently coached the Australian Prime Minister’s XIII team in Papua New Guinea, Te’o encouraged his former player to soak in the experience of being part of a growing area in rugby league.
“I think any player that gets an opportunity to play in rep footy, whichever team it is, I think it's always a great experience,” Te’o said.
“Where the game is at the moment and how much it's growing and how much attention it's got, I think that's the next of evolution of putting a lot of eyes and a lot of resources into that rep footy.
Tonga XIII v Toa Samoa
“I'm someone who played at a young age for Toa Samoa, played one game and then went down a different avenue … but to see these other teams be strengthened is only going to be a strong thing for the game.
“I think in the last three years we've seen that …
“I was at Suncorp Stadium last year for Tonga versus Samoa [at the Pacific Championships], and I thought to myself, ‘wow, I haven't really experienced something like this in rugby league’, so I feel it's going in the right direction.”
France’s first match is on Friday 16 October against Samoa at CommBank Stadium.
Tickets are on sale through the IRL Rugby League World Cup 2026 website.
