'I want to be the best 10 in the world': Rising star Pasitoa 'coming after' gold jersey

Western Force flyhalf Reesjan Pasitoa wants to win it all with the Wallabies, and the rising star’s ambitions don’t stop there either.

Pasitoa wants to be “the best.”

After growing up in Western Australia, Pasitoa was given the opportunity to attend one of the country’s most prestigious High Schools on a rugby scholarship.

Clips of the former schoolboy sensation went viral online during his three decorated seasons playing for the famous Nudgee College 1^st XV in Brisbane.

The well-known rugby nursery has seen countless world class players pass through their ranks, including former Wallabies captain Rocky Elsom, James O’Connor, and Fijian winger Nemani Nadolo.

Pasitoa was able to eclipse even the greatness that those legendary names achieved in the blue and white strip, as he won two premierships before heading south to the ACT Brumbies.

Pasitoa signed with the Australian franchise while he was still at High School, as the first-five looked for more opportunities to develop his game.

However, he was given limited opportunities to star at Super Rugby level, as Pasitoa played second and even third fiddle to Noah Lolesio and Christian Leali’ifano.

So, the opportunity to head back home, and sign with the Force on a two-year deal, proved too good to turn down.

Pasitoa lived up to the hype last season, after two-time Rugby World Cup winner Tim Horan tweeting earlier in 2022 that the up-and-comer must “be in the Wallabies squad.

While a serious knee injury has silenced those dreams for now, Pasitoa hasn’t lost sight of what he hopes to achieve in the future.

“I want to be the Wallaby 10, I want to be the best 10 in the world, I’ve always said that,” Pasitoa told RugbyPass.

“In terms of winning, I want to win a Bledisloe and I want to win a World Cup. That’s my goals.

“I’ve said that since I was a little kid that I want to be the best 10 in the world. If I can get that Wallaby 10 jersey, that’s what I’m coming after.

“For now, just focus on my knee and make sure I can get back on the field healthy and fit and then like I said, just do the best I can and put my best foot forward.”

Pasitoa’s rugby journey began in Western Australia, as he laced up his boots and ran out for Perth Bayswater Rugby Union Club.

It was the beginning of an exciting career which is seemingly set for greatness, and could have a lasting impact on Australian rugby if he gets his way.

Australian rugby isn’t what it used to be, but there’s no reason why the fallen giant of rugby union can’t return to former glory.

Growing up in Western Australia, Pasitoa – along with his teammates – was asked an interesting question at an awards night.

“Who wants to be an All Black,” the Australian-based young rugby stars of tomorrow were asked.

Pasitoa spoke about how that was “another reason why” he returned to Western Australia, as he hopes to usher in a new era of aspiring Wallabies.

“I remember going to games growing up as a young boy here and going to Force games and selling tickets at the front gates. Now I get to play for them which is pretty cool,” he added

“I’ll never forget this time at my club, we had our awards night and they asked us ‘who wants to be an All Black when you grow up?’ I’d argue almost everyone put their hands up.

“I think back now and why I came back is so that maybe if that question is asked again, people put their hands up for if you want to play for the Wallabies and if you want to play for the Western Force.

“I think that’d be pretty cool for young boys and girls to want to play for Australia and play for their Australian clubs.

“I guess that’s another reason why I came to try and change that mindset of things and hopefully we can be part of that change.”

But the question still remains: how did Pasitoa respond?

Along with his teammates, the Australian-born talent said yes.

Pasitoa once dreamt of following in the footsteps of legendary All Blacks flyhalf Dan Carter, by donning the coveted black jersey in the test arena.

“Yeah (I wanted to play for the All Blacks). My favourite player and my idol was Daniel Carter, always has been.

“I grew up going for the Blues. Some of my family is in Auckland, my dad grew up in Auckland, so it’s always been for the Blues, always been for the All Blacks.

“Even in League I go for the Warriors still but I guess now I’m just really pushing for that gold jersey.

“If I could change that for young boys and girls who are growing up here in Australia, to want to play for Australia, then that’d be cool. That’s the goal.”