For Kye Oates, the 2024 Teuila International 7s in Samoa and the Coral Coast 7s in Fiji weren't just tournaments, they were the launchpad for his professional career.
For Jarrah McLeod, it took just one tournament in Fiji to spark a breakthrough of his own.
Learn more about Rugby Australia's partnership with PacificAus Sports.
The 25-year-old winger Oates and 21-year-old centre McLeod pulled on the First Nations men's jersey as part of the Lloyd McDermott Rugby Development Team's (Lloydies) debut in the Pacific, supported by Rugby Australia and the Australian Government's PacificAus Sports program.
With national coaches watching closely, both players made sure to leave their mark.
"Pulling on that jersey in Fiji and Samoa was special," Oates said.
"It wasn't just about me, it was about showing what First Nations players can do when given the opportunity. Those tours gave me belief, and they opened the door to the next level."
McLeod added, "For me, it was about honouring my family and community while testing myself against elite opposition in Fiji. Playing alongside Kye and the rest of the team showed me what we can achieve when we're given the chance."
Breakthrough to Brumbies
Their standout performances in Sigatoka and Apia led to invitations into Rugby Australia's Sevens program. Soon after, both men earned full Super Rugby Pacific contracts with the ACT Brumbies.
From there, the story only grew. In July 2025, Oates and McLeod lined up for the inaugural First Nations & Pasifika XV against the touring British & Irish Lions in a historic and thrilling contest that finished 24-19 to the visitors.
Pathways That Deliver, and Connect
Rugby Australia's First Nations Rugby Manager, Matthew Sonter, said the success of the Lloydies' Pacific tour was about much more than just rugby results.
"Having the chance to tour Fiji and Samoa last year was incredibly powerful," Sonter said. "On the field, it gave players like Kye and Jarrah a genuine pathway to professional rugby. But off the field, it was just as significant, it was cultural exchange, it was storytelling, it was connection.
"Our First Nations players received such a warm welcome from the Pacific rugby community, and they responded in kind. They weren't just players, they were outstanding sports diplomats for Australia, representing their communities and our nation with pride. That cultural exchange is what made this tour so unique, it showed that rugby can strengthen ties between peoples as much as it develops players."
Fellow Lloydies player, 23-year-old Gage Phillips, has since signed a full-time contract with the Australian Men's Sevens after his own standout performances in the Pacific.
Results That Matter
The impact of the 2024 Pacific 7s tour is already clear:
- Seven players, including Oates, McLeod, and Phillips, were invited to train with the Australian Men's Sevens squad
- Phillips signed a full-time contract with the Sevens program
- Oates and McLeod secured Super Rugby contracts with the Brumbies
Looking Ahead
Rugby Australia's Head of Pacific Partnerships, Daniel Millis, said the PacificAus Sports program demonstrated why rugby is one of Australia's most powerful tools of connection in the region.
"This initiative is about more than rugby, it's about creating professional pathway opportunities while deepening relationships between Australia and the Pacific," Millis said.
"The Australian Government recognises the power of rugby to bring cultures and nations together, on and off the field.
"The special welcome these Lloydies players received in Samoa and Fiji showed the warmth that exists between our communities. In return, our players represented Australia with pride and cultural strength. That's sports diplomacy in action, and the professional contracts they've earned are the icing on the cake."
And the pathway is only expanding.
In 2025, a First Nations women's side will debut at the Teuila International 7s in Samoa, giving more athletes the chance to follow the trail blazed by Oates and McLeod, as rugby continues to strengthen careers, cultures, and connections.
PacificAus Sports is an Australian Government sports diplomacy initiative developing pathways for Pacific teams and athletes to compete in elite competitions and access high-performance coaching in Australia and internationally.
The program partners with Australian national sports organisations to support a range of Pacific sports, including rugby league, rugby union, netball, football, AFL, cricket, and Olympic/Paralympic sports, with funding split evenly between women's and men's sports.
PacificAus Sports also partners with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) to promote Pacific sport through ABC Television's That Pacific Sports Show and ABC Radio's Fresh Off the Field.
The high-performance outcomes of PacificAus Sports are complemented by the Australian Government's Team Up program, which focuses on sport for development in the Pacific.
