Western Force 2026

[The Ghost of Raelene]

For the Tahs thread but he'd be sitting behind O'Donnell, JAS, Walton, Ropata for me anyway. Inevitable injuries and position selections will shift guys around. Creighton also played 12 in the last few games of Super Rugby Aus and was better than expected.

 

[Tazzmania]

Jack Grant release by the Tahs, Force are short a third scrumhalf.

Is this possibly part of the Poolman transfer deal?

 

[Wilson]

Jack Grant release by the Tahs, Force are short a third scrumhalf.

Is this possibly part of the Poolman transfer deal?

Both Poolman and Grant look to have been off contract by the end of the year. I can't see why/how there would be a 'transfer deal' if they hadn't already signed for 2026. That doesn't stop the Force from signing Grant though.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Should bring back Doug Phillipson. He looked good for Norths in the SS and is only 22 I think.

7 Super Rugby starts for Nathan Hastie and 4 Super Rugby Starts for Robertson in their careers.
Maybe an established name is who they should go after.

 

[Tazzmania]

Kilgallon appointed as Force’s new head of athletic performance

The Western Force is thrilled to confirm the appointment of Mark Kilgallon as the Club’s new head of athletic performance for the Super Rugby Pacific squad.....

READ MORE

 

[Tazzmania]

From the Western Force Newsletter:

" The Western Force is thrilled to confirm the elevation into the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific squad of exciting Australia U20s utility back Boston Fakafanua.

The dynamic 20-year-old, who is primarily a midfielder, has graduated through the Fortescue Academy since moving west in 2023, impressing in Force colours during last year’s Super Rugby Men’s U19s including a hat-trick against the Melbourne Rebels.

Fakafanua spent time training with the Force Super Rugby squad in 2025 and played three games, including the Grand Final, of the recent Super Rugby AUS competition.

Western Force head coach Simon Cron said: “He’s a very exciting talent who has come through the pathways and been with at the Western Force for the past two years. He demonstrated through the Super Rugby AUS competition that he’s a very good defensive reader."

 

[Adam84]

Keen to see how Boston goes, had some decent wraps on him for a few years now so good to see Force easing him through the pathways.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

This seemed inevitable. The kid can play and the Force have a need at Centre. He will see time this season which is exciting for him.

Seen quite a bit of him over the years and he's a naturally aggressive player in a good way. The way Perese seemed to attack every aspect of play. He just needs a bit of time for the physique to catch up (like Perese did).

Was a few years ago but he gave Pakeho a nightmare of a game at Ballymore in the NSW v QLD 18s. That's not saying anything about Dre but the talent that is in the kid. Dre was physically more ready to play Super Rugby last year.

I want to know the status on Leahy at the Force. Used in 2023 but not sighted last season and looked good for Sydney Uni.

 

[Major Tom]

This seemed inevitable. The kid can play and the Force have a need at Centre. He will see time this season which is exciting for him.

Seen quite a bit of him over the years and he's a naturally aggressive player in a good way. The way Perese seemed to attack every aspect of play. He just needs a bit of time for the physique to catch up (like Perese did).

Was a few years ago but he gave Pakeho a nightmare of a game at Ballymore in the NSW v QLD 18s. That's not saying anything about Dre but the talent that is in the kid. Dre was physically more ready to play Super Rugby last year.

I want to know the status on Leahy at the Force. Used in 2023 but not sighted last season and looked good for Sydney Uni.

Hopefully, he progresses and develops.
Starting to accumulate midfield options across the franchises and they're in the same age bracket. Best thing will be seeing them all battling each other during SRP (Super Rugby Pacific) week in week out. Boston v Dre v O'Donnell v JAS v Mcleod v Goldsbrough v Pritchard etc.

Leahy I think was injured for Super Rugby Aus but he absolutely needs some game time. If he can't get any game time with Poolman leaving he should head east.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

By East I'd say the Brums could use some depth on the Wing. Injuries happen so he could see plenty of time at the Force but they will get Darby in their first.

For the Force what is the next spot of importance? Halfback? Phillipson looked sharp to close out the SS season at Norths. Potentially an eye on some of the 9s in the NSW and QLD system which is developing a bit of a log jam it seems.

 

[Red Runner]

The Western Force is excited to confirm the addition of tighthead prop Feao Fotuaika for the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season.

 

[Raytah]

The Western Force is excited to confirm the addition of tighthead prop Feao Fotuaika for the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season.

Good signing. Perfect power player for 25 off the bench each week. Good tight head depth now with HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes), Robertson, Smith, Tauakipulu all solid enough there too.

 

[rugbyAU]

By East I'd say the Brums could use some depth on the Wing. Injuries happen so he could see plenty of time at the Force but they will get Darby in their first.

For the Force what is the next spot of importance? Halfback? Phillipson looked sharp to close out the SS season at Norths. Potentially an eye on some of the 9s in the NSW and QLD system which is developing a bit of a log jam it seems.

Nathan Hastie is signed for next season

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Decent enough pick up to get a 24yo who is ready but he's only started 7 Super Rugby games and seemed a bench 9 for Otago in the NPC as well. Granted the starts were last year so he seemingly is on the upswing of his career but I wouldn't rate him any higher than Robertson or IFL who's gone.

 

[Major Tom]

Good signing. Perfect power player for 25 off the bench each week. Good tight head depth now with HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes) (Harry Johnson-Holmes), Robertson, Smith, Tauakipulu all solid enough there too.

Still a bit flimsy IMO. HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes) an injury risk, Robertson not really a THP.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes) isn't going to do anything special around the field but if fit for most of the year because he can hold a scrum well enough and is an improvement on last year where it was a weakness and also seemed one in Super Rugby Aus when the Force seemed to avoid bringing on the reserve Props in the Final even though they were struggling.

 

[Tazzmania]

Decent enough pick up to get a 24yo who is ready but he's only started 7 Super Rugby games and seemed a bench 9 for Otago in the NPC as well. Granted the starts were last year so he seemingly is on the upswing of his career but I wouldn't rate him any higher than Robertson or IFL who's gone.

Hastie started the season at nine for Otago,but Dylan Pledger forced him to the bench with an absolute sublime season. With Hastie leaving the Highlanders, I assume that Pledger was given a lot more game time than expected.

That said Hastie had some decent minutes for Otago. Showed he is nippy and quick to the breakdown, not scared to have a snipe or two, and a very decent left foot box kicker.

I believe he will start as an impact player for the Force but by season end will be the starting nine, and my bolter for the 2026 Wallaby end of year spring tour

 

[Major Tom]

Hastie started the season at nine for Otago,but Dylan Pledger forced him to the bench with an absolute sublime season. With Hastie leaving the Highlanders, I assume that Pledger was given a lot more game time than expected.

That said Hastie had some decent minutes for Otago. Showed he is nippy and quick to the breakdown, not scared to have a snipe or two, and a very decent left foot box kicker.

I believe he will start as an impact player for the Force but by season end will be the starting nine, and my bolter for the 2026 Wallaby end of year spring tour

You've got him debuting ahead of Thomas, Teddy and Werchon!
Martens has a better shot.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

I'd have the current 9 ahead of him Robertson who I see as a pretty stock standard guy but was strong to finish the year and good Super Rugby Aus.

A lot for those last few spots on tour can depend on teams success as it helps the perception of the player unless you are the lone star in a weak side, then you can shine but if the Force/Tahs have similar years which I think they will, those players are looked past.