Western Force 2026

[Tazzmania]

Western Force Squad for 2026 almost finalised.

Props:
Marley Pearce 2028
Joshua Smith 2027
Tom Robertson 2027
Harry Johnson-Holmes 2026

Hookers:
Nick Dolly 2028
Brandon Paega - Amosa 2026
Albert Alcock 2026

Locks:
Jeremy Williams 2027
Franco Molina 2027
Darcy Swain 2026

Back Row:
Nic Champion de Crespigny 2028
Carlo Tizzano 2027
Kane Koteka 2026

Scrumhalves:
Nathan Hastie 2027
Henry Robertson 2026

Flyhalves
Ben Donaldson 2027
Alex Harford 2027
Max Burey 2026

Centres:
Hamish Stewart 2027
Divad Palu 2027
Bailey Kuenzle 2026

Back Three:
George Bridge 2027
Dylan Peitsch 2026
Mac Grealy 2026
Ronan Leahy 2026
Darby Lancaster 2026

Head Coach:
Simon Cron 2026

Assistant Coach - Skills:
James Stannard 2026

Forwards coach:
Craig Dunlea 2026

Defence Coach:
Brad Harris 2026

2027/2028:

Wallace Charlie 2027 and 2028 ( Aussie seven 2026)

OFF CONTRACT 2025

Props
Harry Hoopert 2025
Tom Osborne 2025 Injury cover
Tiaan Tauakipulu 2025

Locks
Lopeti Faifua [from Cron's comments on the Molina signing sounds like he will be with the Force in 2026]

Back Rowers
Vaiolini Ekuasi 2025
Will Harris 2025

Scrumhalf
Doug Philipson 2025

Outside Backs
Kurtley Beale 2025 (Training, potential Injury Cover Contract)
George Pooolman 2025

RETIRED
Nick White 2025 [Retired]
Sam Carter 2025 [Retired]
Reed Princep 2025 [Retired]

Confirmed Gone
Papillon Sevele 2025
Mitch Watts 2025
Isaak Fines-Leleiwasa 2025 [Fijian Drua]
Will Eggleston - Defence Coach [Japan]
Tom Donnelly - Forwards Coach [Wallabies]
Harry Potter 2025 [Waratahs 2026/2027]
Leon MacDonald [Yokohama Canon Eagles as Head Coach]
Matt Proctor 2025
Sio Tomkinson 2025 [Agen 2026/2027]
Ryan Coxson 2025
Reesjan Pasitoa 2025 [Northlands NPC]
Atunaisa Moli 2025
Tom Horton 2025
Josh Thompson 2025 [Grenoble in Pro D2]

Updated 09/10/2025

 

[Wilson]

That's a lot of this years regular 23 off contract. Only a few of them gone though (Potter, Coxon and Tomkinson), hopefully the Force have a decent chunk of them ready to announce.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Lock and Centre is an issue. Even if Stewart returns. I expect quite a few of the Prop and backrow group to be brought back which will fill out the squad but you have to think Lancaster would be a very attractive free agent.

With that many potentially gone it does concern me about Pasitoa and what are coaches seeing that they just move on from. 23 year old with seemingly talent to burn.

 

[Homer]

The other question is do you give Hoopert and HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes) another chance? It has hurt the team and strategy the last two years and now they havent played for two years.
They'd also be crazy not to lock up Will Harris.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

You can probably retain both for pretty cheap given the circumstance and if they can stay on the park it'll make a world of difference to have genuine Super Rugby Props for depth.

Keeping them is better than the free agent options which most likely sit in Club Rugby or the MLR...

 

[Adam84]

Force have re-signed 5/8 Harford for 2 years... Doesn't give me a lot of confidence that guy, against the Lions i thought he was a 19-20year old debutant overawed by his first match against pros, turns out he is more like a 26-year-old journeyman.

He is Australian qualified though, which makes a little more sense as they're not burning a foreign player position.

Western Force lock down Lions starting flyhalf Harford

The Western Force has confirmed the re-signing of Australian-qualified playmaker Alex Harford on a two-year deal.

www.rugby.com.au

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

That's been my gripe with the signing. I know plenty of guys play their best footy at that age given they have developed now but he's not Mike Harris who came over younger with a higher ceiling.

Given the list Tazz wrote up above this would have been a lower priority signing but I reckon we'll see plenty announced as coming back.

 

[Tazzmania]

Alex Harford is an interesting story, up until last year his career kept getting stalled with a number of serious injuries, so not quite a "journeyman" but rather an older player with limited game time to his name.

Leon McDonald has liked what he he has seen, having worked with him in Auckland and recommended him to the Force.

Donaldson will be our starting flyhalf and he will be used as and when needed so he does create depth.

Like Donaldson he is a bigger build flyhalf with a decent boot so it helps the continuity when he needs to step in.

The Super Rugby Australia series will give him a chance to show his wares with Donno on Wallaby duties.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Alex Harford is an interesting story, up until last year his career kept getting stalled with a number of serious injuries, so not quite a "journeyman" but rather an older player with limited game time to his name.

Leon McDonald has liked what he he has seen, having worked with him in Auckland and recommended him to the Force.

Donaldson will be our starting flyhalf and he will be used as and when needed so he does create depth.

Like Donaldson he is a bigger build flyhalf with a decent boot so it helps the continuity when he needs to step in.

The Super Rugby Australia series will give him a chance to show his wares with Donno on Wallaby duties.

Good point. Hope the Force can get some minutes into Prass and Fakafunua during this as well. Even if its a few 15-20min stints off the bench they need to start running into pros to find their feet before it's a rest everyone throw away fixture at Eden Park or Suva and you throw them out like bait.

 

[Wilson]

Issak Fines-Leleiwasa is apparently off to the Drua

 

[Tazzmania]

Sadly it appears so, but good on him for taking another opportunity to further his rugby career.

Not an easy move after just becoming a dad.

With White signed for another season, Henry Robertson upsurping him towards season end and Doug Phillipson waiting in the wings, probably the right move.

Great bloke who always had time to greet and interact with fans. The "Sea of Blue" will miss him.

I am sure he will also be missed at Perth Bayswater were he donned the stripped jersey for many club games.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Phillipson looked alright when he came off the bench last weekend for Sydney Uni. Wish he wasn't at that Club since they will have Roberston and Sharples come into the group and limit game time.

 

[Tazzmania]

Another long term re-signing.

Homegrown Pearce re-signs with Force for further three years

The Western Force are delighted to announce the contract extension of homegrown front-rower Marley Pearce for a further three years....

READ MORE

 

[Tazzmania]

Not unexpected, but very pleased to see the academy to main squad link working.

Force elevate Academy graduate & Rising Star winner Alcock

The Western Force are thrilled to announce the elevation of Fortescue Academy graduate and 2025 Rising Star winner Albert Alcock to the Club’s Super Rugby Pacific squad for next season......

READ MORE

 

[Filipo Daugunu]

Anyone heard rumours about what the Force are doing with their centres? Tomkinson, Pasitoa, Proctor all gone, and Hamish Stewart still off contract. Could be an opportunity to go fishing for Aussie-qualified centres particularly in NZ. Wallabies need some new centres, either exiles or young fellas. Hopefully the Force can be creative.

 

[Tazzmania]

No news as yet, but that does appear to be an area that the Force have to recruit in or have already done so without announcing.

Only George Bridge (ex Crusaders) currently rumoured to be signing as Potter replacement, but he is an out an out wing.

Among the current contracted players for next season and beyond I would suspect Divad Palu and Bayley Kuenzle are earmarked for possible centre spots, with the possiblity of Rohan Leahy as well.

 

[Major Tom]

No news as yet, but that does appear to be an area that the Force have to recruit in or have already done so without announcing.

Only George Bridge (ex Crusaders) currently rumoured to be signing as Potter replacement, but he is an out an out wing.

Among the current contracted players for next season and beyond I would suspect Divad Palu and Bayley Kuenzle are earmarked for possible centre spots, with the possiblity of Rohan Leahy as well.

At this point it would be nice if he actually played Leahy at all!

 

[Wilson]

At this point I'm half expecting them to sign a 37 year old Ben Tapuai for another go around.

 

[rugbyAU]

IFL has left the club at the end of Super Rugby AU to sign with the Drua

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Have to assume there will be a heap of signings/re-signings annouced soon or the Force are just going to be a top Club level team.

Leahy has been playing 13 for Sydney Uni and been alright but I think he's a top level Winger. Fakafunua still in the system but only played underage footy and some 2nd Grade for Sydney Uni.