‘I’m excited to be back’: Western Force sign Wallaby Isi Naisarani

The Western Force’s forward stocks have been given a big boost after signing Wallabies enforcer Isi Naisarani for the remainder of the Super Rugby Pacific season.

Naisarani burst onto the scene while playing for the Force in 2017, winning the Australian Super Rugby player-of-the-year award in his first season as a professional.

The 28-year-old went on to spend stints at the Brumbies (2018) and Rebels (2019-21), and more recently played for the Shizuoka Blue Revs in the Japan Rugby League One side.

The Fijian-born forward featured for the Wallabies at the 2019 World Cup and has 61 caps of Super Rugby experience to his name.

Naisarani will be able to cover both the lock and back-row positions at the Force and is excited to return to Perth after six years away.

“Coming back here is like going back in time. It feels like a lifetime ago I was living here in Perth, so I’m excited to be back here where I started my career,” Naisarani said in a statement.

“I’ve got lots to give back to the Force and Australia and am looking forward to being involved in the Super Rugby environment, playing good quality rugby again.”

Naisarani has started training with the squad and will be available for selection in the coming weeks.

The Force have been bolstered by the return of captain Michael Wells, flyhalf Bryce Hegarty and winger Toni Pulu for Saturday night’s crunch clash with the Highlanders in Perth.

Wells spent three weeks on the sidelines with an Achilles tendon injury, while Hegarty missed the past three matches with a back complaint.

Pulu returns after overcoming a knee injury, but English winger Zack Kibirige (hamstring) was ruled out.

The 11th-placed Force (2-5) are on a four-match losing streak – all away from home – but are looking forward to their return to HBF Park for the first time in more than a month.