Reagan Campbell-Gillard says his move to the London Broncos has allowed him to “fall back in love” with rugby league after years of intense scrutiny in the NRL.
The 33-year-old Australian international joined the Championship side as a marquee signing ahead of the 2026 season, bringing with him a wealth of experience from spells with Penrith Panthers, Parramatta Eels and Gold Coast Titans, as well as Australia and New South Wales.
But talking to Jenna Brooks and Jon Wilkin on the Speaking on the Bench podcast, the prop admitted the contrast between rugby league in Australia and England has been striking.
“Yeah, absolutely,” Campbell-Gillard said when asked if he felt he had fallen back in love with the game.
“I never felt pressure in the NRL, but rugby league is massive in Australia, like you do a fart, you get in trouble. There’ll be a story about anything they can sort of ruin you or do.
“You say one bad word or slip up, or your performance on the field, they want your head straight away.”
Campbell-Gillard said he noticed the difference almost immediately after arriving in London, describing the lack of media attention and pressure around the Broncos as “weird”.
“I was like, there was no media, there was no sort of pressure of performing”, he explained.
Instead, the prop has found himself enjoying his rugby again, particularly within a younger Broncos squad.
“And this whole year, I’ve enjoyed my time,” he added.
“Being around a younger group as well makes you feel younger as well.”
Campbell-Gillard also praised the balance of youth and experience within the squad, with the Broncos recruiting heavily as they look to build towards a return to Super League.
The former NRL forward said that environment had helped him appreciate the game differently.
“You sort of appreciate the game for what it is,” he said.
“And yeah, it’s just, you throw the ball around, and yeah, no consequences, and yeah, you can try things, and if they don’t work, it’s okay.
“Like you can just forget about it.
“And that’s what was or what has been pretty appealing this whole year, and it’s been enjoyable and fun.”
Campbell-Gillard’s comments come as the Broncos embark on an ambitious rebuilding project under head coach Jason Demetriou, backed by businessman Grant Wechsel and Australia legend Darren Lockyer, who took over the club last summer.
The London club had hoped to return to an expanded 14-team Super League in 2026 after the change in ownership and significant investment, but their bid was rejected.
York Knights and Toulouse were instead selected, with London’s 16th-place position in the IMG gradings ultimately counting against them.
The Broncos nevertheless continued with their long-term plans, recruiting experienced players such as Campbell-Gillard in an effort to improve their grading, challenge for the Championship and put themselves in a stronger position to return to Super League.
Demetriou, former head coach of Papua New Guinea, brought a host of talent to London from the Pacific Ocean.
Campbell-Gillard’s arrival was presented as a major statement of intent when his signing was announced last October, with the World Cup winner saying the opportunity to help build something in London was too good to turn down.
Broncos topped the Championship table, winning 23 out of 24 games, with a staggering points difference of 1215.
They reached the penultimate stage of the Championship Finals with a 42–6 victory over Doncaster on Sunday.