Jack Debreczeni

Jack Debreczeni (born 6 June 1993) is an Australian professional rugby union player who currently plays as a fly-half for the Waratahs in the Super Rugby Pacific competition.^[3]

Background and early career

Jack Debreczeni was born in Middlemore Hospital in Ōtāhuhu,^[4] Auckland, New Zealand in 1993.^[5][6] Before he was two-years-old,^[5] his family moved to Sydney, New South Wales, Australia before he began to play rugby union at three-years-old.^[7] Debreczeni is of Chilean and Hungarian descent through his paternal side of the family;^[5][8] and Cook Islands descent through his maternal side.^[6]

Debreczeni was educated at Trinity Grammar School, where he played rugby alongside his junior rugby club, the West Harbour Pirates, in Sydney. In 2013, Debreczeni was approached by the Australian rules football club Essendon of the Australian Football League (AFL).^[9] Debreczeni stated that although he was flattered by the interest, he wasn't leaving rugby: "It was not real serious. Rugby's always been a passion of mine. It was just something that came along. I had no real interest in the AFL thing." It was also reported that Debreczeni had attracted interest from various rugby league clubs from the National Rugby League (NRL).^[10]

Rugby career

Melbourne Rebels

Debreczeni initially made a name for himself playing for West Harbour in the 2013 Shute Shield in New South Wales. Just one season at that level was enough to convince the Rebels of his worth and he was handed a place in the franchise's extended playing squad for the 2014 Super Rugby season.^[11] Injury blighted the first half of his season, however he regained full fitness in May and was an unused replacement for the Rebels victory over the on 17 May.^[12] He made his Super Rugby debut the following week as a 74th-minute substitute for Jason Woodward in a 19–41 defeat to the in Melbourne, and was rumoured for his international debut.^[13][14]

After his debut season in 2014, Debreczeni started and played fifteen of the sixteen regular season games in 2015 for the Rebels scoring two tries and making a total of thirty six points in his breakout season and helped the team finish tenth overall. In 2016, Debreczeni played a big part in the Rebels twelfth-placed finished after the signing of Reece Hodge in August 2015.^[15] After only playing fourteen games during 2016, Debreczeni scored a total of 120 points finishing equal tenth overall with fellow Australian Bernard Foley.^[16]

In 2018, Debreczeni returned to the Rebels after a small stint in Japan, scoring his first try in round two of the 2018 season scoring a total of twenty points against Australian conference rival the Reds. It included two tries and five conversions, helping the team to score its most points in an individual game winning 45–19 at AAMI Park, Melbourne.^{[17][18][19][20]}

Chiefs

Debreczini signed with the Chiefs as back-up to Damian McKenzie^[21] for the 2019 Super Rugby season. He made seven appearances for the team.^[22]

ACT Brumbies

Debreczini signed with the Brumbies for the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season^[23] as back up to Wallabies fly half Noah Lolesio. He made his first start in the first round against the Waratahs. Strong performances for the Brumbies meant he played more minutes, culminating in his selection to start in the semi-final against the Chiefs.^[24] He resigned with the Brumbies for the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season.^[25]

Waratahs

In early September 2025, the New South Wales Waratahs announced they had signed Debreczeni ahead of the 2026 season.^[26] Coach Dan McKellar stated upon the announcement, "Jack is an experienced player who adds real quality and strength and depth in a very important position," adding: "Off the back of years of experience, Jack is very calm, he has a very good skill set; and he has an ability to manage a game, as shown by how he performed for the First Nations Pasifika team."^[26]

International career

Debreczeni was an Australia Schoolboys representative in 2011.^[27]

Debreczeni was the traditional uncapped player in the Barbarians F.C. line up against Argentina on 1 December 2018. The international match was played at Twickenham Stadium, England.^{[citation needed]}

Rugby statistics

^[3]

Super Rugby

References

1. ^ "Debreczeni flourishing at fullback". Rugby.com.au. Retrieved 29 March 2017.
2. ^ "Werst Harbour RUFC Ltd 2023 Annual Report". westharbourrugby.com.au. West Harbour Rugby Union Football Club. p. 40.
3. ^ "Jack Debreczeni Player Statistics". It's Rugby. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
4. ^ Warlow, Sam (1 October 2018). "Jack Debreczeni relishing return to New Zealand". RugbyPass
5. ^ Baldock, John (19 June 2017). "On the move, but with eyes on a prized Wallabies jersey". Special Broadcasting Service. Archived 5 September 2025 at the Wayback Machine.
6. ^ Baldock, John (17 June 2017). "Japan-bound Melbourne Rebels rugby star eyes the prize". Special Broadcasting Service. Archived 20 September 2022 at the Wayback Machine.
7. ^ "Melbourne Rebels welcome promising fly-half Debreczeni". Special Broadcasting Service. 1 May 2014. Archived 5 September 2025 at the Wayback Machine.
8. ^ Smith, Wayne (27 June 2014). "Rebels rookie Jack Debreczeni only one surprised by selection". The Australian. News Corp Australia
9. ^ Schlink, Leo (6 May 2015). "Melbourne Rebels gun Jack Debreczeni set for Wallabies jersey thanks to an All Black's help". The Herald Sun. News Corp Australia.
10. ^ "Melbourne Rebels welcome promising fly-half Debreczeni". Special Broadcasting Service. 1 May 2014. Archived 5 September 2025 at the Wayback Machine.
11. ^ "Rebels name Extended Playing Squad (EPS) for 2014". Sanzar Rugby. 26 September 2014. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
12. ^ "Reds vs Rebels 17 May 2014 Match Breakdown". SA Rugby. Archived from the original on 25 May 2014. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
13. ^ "Rebels vs Waratahs 23 May 2014 Match Breakdown". SA Rugby. Archived from the original on 23 May 2014. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
14. ^ "Rebels rookie Jack Debreczeni only one surprised by selection". The Australian. 27 June 2014.
15. ^ "Melbourne Rebels land Reece Hodge from Manly Marlins". The Sydney Morning Herald. 4 August 2015.
16. ^ "2016: Top Point Scorers". SA Rugby. 29 March 2018.
17. ^ "Super Rugby 2018: Rebels thrash Reds 45–19 after Scott Higginbotham red card". News.com.au. 23 February 2018.
18. ^ "Match Centre: Rebels 45–19 Reds". Sanzar. 23 February 2018.
19. ^ "Melbourne Rebels new era off to perfect start with 45–19 thumping of Queensland Reds". Herald Sun. 23 February 2018.
20. ^ "Melbourne Rebels see win, Higginbotham sees red in Super Rugby opener". The Sydney Morning Herald. 23 February 2018.
21. ^ "Super Rugby 2019 NZ squads: Jack Debreczeni signs with Chiefs, Sef Fa'agase to the Highlanders". Fox Sports. 2018-10-31. Retrieved 2023-08-29.
22. ^ "Jack DEBRECZENI profile and stats". all.rugby. Retrieved 2023-08-29.
23. ^ Media, Newstime (2022-09-20). "Brumbies add Jack Debreczeni to 2023 squad". Canberra Weekly. Retrieved 2023-08-29.
24. ^ "Brumbies' flyhalf decision looms as key duo re-sign". The Canberra Times. 2023-06-12. Retrieved 2023-08-29.
25. ^ Williamson, Nathan (2023-04-10). "Seven Heaven: Brumbies announce mass re-signings as club locks down squad for 2023 and beyond | Latest Rugby News | RUGBY.com.au". www.rugby.com.au. Retrieved 2023-08-29.
26. ^ "Playmaker Jack Debreczeni Returns to Sydney After Signing With NSW Waratahs". waratahs.rugby. New South Wales Rugby Union. 3 September 2025. Archived 5 September 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
27. ^ "Jack Debreczeni Melbourne Rebels Player Profile". Rebels Rugby. Archived from the original on 10 June 2014. Retrieved 25 May 2014.