Wallabies rugby winger Dylan Pietsch says art gives him a way to connect with culture and switch off from rugby, even as his form for the Wallabies and Western Force keeps building.

The 28-year-old Wiradjuri man said he found a passion for art growing up in the NSW Riverina and started his Wulwaay Art business about four years ago.

“When I was younger I was always pretty creative and loved drawing and stuff,” Pietsch said.

“I started my business about four years ago and it gave me a space away from rugby to kind of get away and let myself go and be creative. I think it’s a massive thing. For me, connecting with culture is a big thing. My schedule is so hectic. I’m not able to go out bush with elders too much, so art is a way for me to connect with culture.”

Pietsch was asked to design the jerseys worn by the Wallabies, Force and NSW Waratahs during the 2025 British and Irish Lions Tour of Australia. He became the 15th First Nations player to represent the Wallabies when he made his Test debut in 2024, then scored a try in the Wallabies’ 22-12 win in the third Test against the Lions in Sydney.

His dot paintings have also appeared on rugby boots worn by teammates.

“I thought it [art] would just be a space to kick back, but then some people actually enjoy my artwork, which is interesting,” Pietsch said.

“To do the Lions tour and the Wallabies jersey was awesome. My next big thing is I want my art to be on a plane, so I’d like to tick that off.”

Pietsch said art has also helped him through mental health struggles and injuries.

During the Wallabies’ 38-22 win over South Africa in Johannesburg last August, Pietsch broke his jaw in a collision with Springboks captain Siya Kolisi. He left the field minutes after scoring the Wallabies’ first try and spent a lengthy period on the sidelines before returning later in the year.

His start to the current Super Rugby Pacific season with the Force was then delayed until round eight because of a foot injury.

“It [art] calms me down,” Pietsch said.

“When your mind is racing and everything is going on, it’s a space that calms me down and lets me be who I want to be in a creative way. Definitely with all the injuries, it’s something that does help me a lot. It is tough being injured.”

Since returning this season, Pietsch has hit strong form. Rugby Australia and the Force offered him a contract extension through to the end of 2028, which he signed earlier this month.

His attacking skill was on show in the Force’s 31-26 win over the Crusaders in Perth in April, when he produced a one-handed offload to Zac Lomax in the lead-up to Henry Robertson’s try.

But Pietsch said he still has work to do.

“I don’t think I’m anywhere near where I want to be,” Pietsch said.

“I just want to keep building to a place where I’m comfortable where my game is at. As a whole, I don’t want to be someone who is good at one thing and bad at the other. I want to be a well-rounded player. There are always going to be things that aren’t perfect and I’m never going to be perfect. But I try to get better every week and see what I can work on every week.”

Pietsch said competition for wing spots was something he welcomed as talk continues around the Wallabies’ outside backs, with Zac Lomax and dual international Mark Nawaqanitawase both in the frame.

“Winger is quite a hotly contested position but that is also something I really like,” Pietsch said.

“Some of the best players are in that position and that is exactly what you want in a team and as an Individual.”

“You want to test yourself against the best.”

Off the field, Pietsch said he was proud of his wife Ella after she signed with the Force for the upcoming Super Rugby Women’s season following her move from rugby sevens.

She will add depth to the Force’s fullback and wing stocks, and Pietsch said the pair train together on Wednesdays.

“It’s super exciting for her. Hopefully she gets to debut this year and play for the Force,” Pietsch said.

“It’s an awesome opportunity for her. She has worked so hard. She has had injuries … she’s had the whole lot.”

“I’m really proud of her, how she has stuck through things.”

“I go do extras with her and help her out,” Pietsch said.

“Those little Wednesday sessions are awesome. It’s awesome to go and see her grow and where she wants to be and achieve what she wants to do.”

“We always move on from that,” he said with a laugh.

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