Former Australia U20 international inks new deal with the Western Force

Former Australia U20 international Taj Annan has re-signed with the Western Force for another two years, with the Super Rugby Pacific outfit making his news official about 140 days after his club debut in mid-March.

Annan has spent time with the Queensland Reds and NRL side the Newcastle Knights but has found a rugby-playing home out west. The midfielder came off the bench for the Force about five months ago and will continue to wear the blue jersey for another couple of seasons.

The Brisbane Boys’ College product represented Queensland Premier Rugby side Easts before first getting a Super Rugby opportunity in Queensland, debuting for the Reds in the opening round of the 2023 campaign.

Newcastle-born Annan was rewarded with higher honours later that year, selected in the Australia U20 squad for the World Rugby Junior World Championship in South Africa. The centre made a few appearances at the tournament, including a 78-minute shift against New Zealand.

Annan would go on to play 13 Super Rugby matches for the Reds before spending some time in the NRL, before returning to rugby union with the Force. Coach Simon Cron named Annan to debut for the club against eventual champions the Hurricanes in round five.

“The majority of the team that we had last year we want to keep under our roof and Taj is one of those,” Cron said.

“He came into the club with a good knowledge of the game and high communication skills.

“He is a very talented athlete but was carrying a number of injuries that were preventing him from achieving his best.

“We see him as a high ceiling player that we can invest in. He’ll add to our environment both culturally and as an athlete.”

Annan has only played 12 minutes of Super Rugby Pacific for the Force, but the 22-year-old is primed for a big couple of seasons ahead. The utility back recently underwent double hip surgery but is expected to be fully fit for pre-season in November.

The Force have made a series of pivotal signing announcements in recent weeks, having secured the services of Ruben O’Neill from the Chiefs. Harry McLaughlin-Phillips is heading west from the Reds and Aden Ekanayake has signed on after time with the Australia Sevens side.

“The club is moving in a good direction, as shown by the strong finish to last season, so I’m thrilled to commit long term,” Annan said.

“I want to repay the club for the faith they’ve shown in me, offering me the opportunity to come over last year. I also feel like I’ve got unfinished business in rugby too.

“It’s a fantastic group over here. We speak about WA being our chosen home and it is to me, as it’s a great club to be part of and an awesome place to live in.

“I’m grateful to the Force medical staff who’ve worked closely with me, putting time into my body to be firing fit and have my best rugby ahead of me.”

“The coaching staff have been fantastic for me, helping me develop and I just want to put my best foot forward to keep improving at the Force.”