Long touted as one of Australian rugby’s best young prospects, Scots No.8 Toby Brial didn’t have to travel far to join the the Australian U18s Players of National Interest (PONI) Squad earlier this month. 

Brial is one of 12 NSW players that spent a week training with the Waratahs’ top squad during the July school holidays, as they chase a spot in the Australian U18s side to play New Zealand later this year. 

“I’ve been lucky enough to have been involved with the Waratahs since I was 15 and have really enjoyed coming through the pathway here,” Brial told Rugby News after finishing a session with the Tahs’ top squad at Daceyville. 

“The staff are great, the coaches are great and I’m always getting pushed by talented players. 

“The coaches put a big focus on our attention to detail as younger players. They expect us to nail our execution in the same way the senior guys do and that helps us lift our standards. 

“The positional stuff is great as well. As forwards, we focus on little things like footwork and the breakdown and that helps add different layers to your game.”

Things haven’t quite gone to plan for Scots so far in the 2024 GPS competition. Considered pre-season favourites by most a few months ago, Brial’s side has won just two game so far this year and sit fifth with four rounds remaining. 

“We’ve got a lot of talent and a lot of depth at Scots and our second XV are going really well, but we’ve just struggled to execute and stay in the fight at times this season,” he said. 

“I think we’ve dropped our heads a few times and teams have taken advantage and taken the game away from us. 

“We had a good win against Kings before the break and on that day, we just sort of clicked and played together as a team so hopefully we can do more of that in our remaining games.”

Brial is the son of former Wallaby Michael and brother of recent Reds’ debutant Joe.  

“Joe has given me a bit of stick about what would happen if we ended up playing each other but I’m not looking that far ahead. 

“He’s doing great up in Brisbane and got his Super Rugby debut down here in Sydney actually so it’d be great to be able to achieve what he’s achieved down the track.”

Brial plans to study civil or electrical engineering when he finishes school at the end of this year and said he doesn’t think he’ll be moving too far to play his rugby either. 

“I’ve always had a close affiliation with Easts. My other brother plays down there and my old man used to play there as well. 

“I’ve got a lot of mates involved in the club as well so I’m looking forward to heading down there after school.”

Brial spent his childhood in New Zealand before his family returned to Australia and the big backrower said it would mean a lot to represent his country across the ditch later this year. 

“New Zealand still has a big place in my heart. I try to act like I’m used to the cold weather after growing up over there but to be honest, I’m pretty soft with that these days so I’m not sure how I’d go. 

“I’m just trying to put my best foot forward every game I play and every session I train in. I know it’s a cliche but I haven’t been picked in the final squad yet so I don’t want want to get ahead of myself. 

“We played against the QLD guys earlier this year and there are a lot of talented boys up there and in the other states as well so whoever gets the call up will have deserved it.”