Western Force promote former Blues U20s prospect to Super Rugby squad

Former Blues Under-20s prospect Luke Aiken has been added to the Western Force squad for the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season, with the club announcing this week the 20-year-old has been elevated from the Academy.

Aiken was selected in the Australia Schools and Under 18s squad a few years ago and has now taken another step towards playing at the top level of Super Rugby, joining a strong contingent of scrum-halves at the club.

The Sunshine Coast Grammar Schools product has previously spent time with the Queensland Reds Under-18s and Blues Under-20s programs, before linking up with the Force and making the move out west.

Aiken was part of the Force’s squad for the inaugural Super Rugby AUS campaign in 2025, before taking part in the Super Rugby Pacific pre-season on a train-and-train. The young halfback went on to play a couple of matches in Super Rugby Next Gen early this year.

“I’m excited to officially be with the main Super squad. I was already training with the squad, so I know this is a tight-knit group,” Aiken said.

“I’ve come from New Zealand previously, where it’s similar to here with players coming into their chosen home, so I really like that at the Force.

“It’s great to be one step closer to playing Super Rugby as a top-squad member but the exciting part is having full-time access to coaches like Nic White and being around players like Nathan Hastie and Henry Robertson who are all great mentors. The more exposure I get, the better for me.

“As shown by the back-half of last season, the Force is heading in the right direction. This is a squad that wants to play for each other and I can’t wait to rip in.”

Aiken joins Australia A representative Henry Robertson, former Highlanders No. 9 Nathan Hastie and Los Pumas scrum-half Agustin Moyano in the scrum-half group at the club. Moyano has just re-signed with the Force, with the club announcing that news on August 13.

Force coach Simon Cron noted Aiken’s impressive club performances for Bayswater, describing the young halfback as “a player for the future.”

“Luke has worked hard in our environment and continues to stand out in WA club rugby,” Cron added.

“We’ll continue bringing him through. He is a player for the future and adds to the depth of our half-back options.”