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Former Wallaby Nic White part of Force coaching staff for Super Rugby AUS
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Former Wallabies scrum-half Nic White is part of the Western Force coaching staff for the 2026 Super Rugby AUS campaign, with the club confirming this week that Academy Manager Damian Steele will take charge of the side.
The second edition of Super Rugby AUS is now just a couple of weeks away, with the Force kicking off their season away to the Queensland Reds on September 12, before hosting the ACT Brumbies the following weekend in Perth.
It’s a fairly quick three-week round-robin before the Grand Final between the top two sides on Saturday, October 3. The Force reached the big dance last season but fell to the NSW Waratahs 33-26 at Kingsway Regional Sporting Complex.
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The experienced trio of veteran Super Rugby fly-half Jono Lance, former front-rower Chris Heiberg, and White will assist Steele. The competition serves as a valuable opportunity for both players and staff to develop.
“We see Super Rugby AUS as a really important opportunity for the club to develop our coaches, providing them with an opportunity to grow amid a competitive series of games,” Force coach Simon Cron said.
“We’re excited to have this coaching group lead the team over the next two months.”
Steeler spent time as the Director of Rugby at Belfast Rugby Club, and also worked as the Head of Rugby and Elite Development Program head coach at powerhouse Queensland Premier Rugby side Brothers.
White enjoyed a decorated playing career across Super Rugby stints with the Brumbies and Force, and twice retired from international duty. The former halfback moved into coaching ahead of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season, and has been involved with the Wallabies.
Lance was a long-time playmaker at Super Rugby level across stints with the Reds and Force, before moving into coaching as the Academy assistant coach in early 2024. The experienced fly-half was a member of the Force’s Super Rugby AUS coaching staff last year too.
Scrum specialist Heiberg rounds out the strong coaching contingent, having previously held roles with the Academy and Super Rugby Women’s sides. Heiberg was another member of the club’s Super Rugby AUS staff 12 months ago.
Force’s Super Rugby AUS 2026 schedule
Round 1 – away to the Queensland Reds at Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane, on Saturday 12 September at 11:30 am.
Round 2 – at home to the ACT Brumbies at North Coast Rugby Club, Perth, on Sunday 20 September at 1:30 pm
Round 3 – away to the NSW Waratahs at Pittwater Rugby Park, Sydney, on Sunday 27 September at 10:45 am.
Grand Final
Between the top two sides on Saturday 3 October at a TBC venue.
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