Wallaby Darby Lancaster finds new Super Rugby home out west with Force

One-Test Wallabies winger Darby Lancaster is heading west for the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season, signing with the Force from the NSW  Waratahs.

This will be Lancaster’s third Super club in as many campaigns, following another one-season stint with the Melbourne Rebels in 2024.

Lancaster scored five tries in seven games for the Waratahs last season, including a stunning match-winner against his new club in May. With the Tahs’ season hanging in the balance, Lancaster somersaulted over the try line to score a 90th-minute stunner in Super Point.

Moodie on playing with different centre partners

Moodie on playing with different centre partners

At just 22 years of age, Lancaster brings a wealth of experience to the Force, having represented Australia in both sevens and 15s. The Kempsey Cannonballs junior played for the Australia Sevens side in the 2021/22 season, quickly becoming a standout in that side.

In 15s, Lancaster played for Australia at the 2023 U20 World Championship. The winger has one cap at senior level for the Wallabies as well, starting a Test against Georgia at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium in July 2024.

Lancaster had captured headlines during a breakout Super campaign with the Rebels before starring in the Waratahs’ famed sky blue jersey. Having now put pen to paper on a deal with another Super club, Lancaster is excited about what lies ahead next season.

“I’m very excited to sign on with the Force,” Lancaster said. “It’s an exciting group who play fast, attacking rugby and as an outside back, that’s what I love to see.

“The rugby they play suits me. I’m really looking forward to playing with attacking minded players like Ben Donaldson. Playing at the fast deck of HBF Park, there’s bound to be some good running rugby, which will suit me.

“I know a fair few of the players, so I’m excited to get among the group. I spent a week with Crono for the AUNZ game and got to know him a bit and Chucky (Stannard) used to coach me in my Australia 7s days, so I’m really excited to work with them.

“I’ve been over to Perth a few times and always loved my time over there. The lifestyle and the beaches are going to be really nice as well.”

Lancaster scored on debut for the Rebels on March 29, which was against the Tahs in Sydney. Coach Kevin Foote selected the highly-rated talent another eight times that season, which included a hat-trick against the Highlanders – leading to Wallabies selection.

Before the end of 2024, Lancaster started on the left wing for Australia XV against England A at the Twickenham Stoop. The rapid outside back followed that up with another promising Super season, having made the move back home to New South Wales.

Waratahs coach Dan McKeller selected Lancaster in the run-on side in five of eight appearances in 2025, including that stunning performance against the Force in Perth – dotting the ball down for a decisive double, including the viral match-winner.

“Darby has characteristics that you really can’t coach, with his lightning quick speed and power. He can run over 10 metres per second. He’s a powerful human being. He’s shown that against us in a few games,” Force coach Simon Cron added.

“He’s really driven to be successful and be the best he can be. We’ve had a lot of chats about that over the last couple of weeks. We’re excited to have him join our squad and add to the players that we have here.

“We’ve got to make sure that we continue to drive standards and expectations in the squad and he’ll do that. He’s had experience at Wallabies level and he knows a lot of players within the environment.”