Western Force unveil 2027 squad featuring big-name additions

95-Test Wallaby Kurtley Beale and former ACT Brumbies scrum-half Harrison Goddard have signed season-long train-and-trial deals ahead of the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season, as a talented Western Force squad takes shape.

The Force confirmed on Wednesday morning that both Beale and Goddard had re-committed to the Force. Beale has spent the last two-and-a-half at the club, while Goddard links up with the Force after spending some time in Japan.

34 other players have been named in the club’s Super Rugby Pacific squad, headlined by the inclusions of James O’Connor, James Ramm and Zac Lomax. ‘JOC’ is back where it all began in his decorated career, while Ramm returns to Australia after a stint in PREM Rugby.

Lomax debuted for the Force last season and has been rewarded with a spot in the Australia A squad, with that team currently on tour in the United States. Force teammates Tom Robertson, Will Harris, Nathan Hastie and Mac Grealy started for the Aussies in a big win in Nasvhille.

The Force have made some key signings in the off-season, with Harry McLaughlin-Phillips heading west from the Queensland Reds. ‘HMP’ has already helped the Force win its maiden Super Rugby AUS title, starring in the win over the NSW Waratahs in the Grand Final.

Australia Sevens representatives Wallace Charlie and Aden Ekanayake are other notable inclusions, with both starring during the Super Rugby AUS campaign.  Chiefs prop Reuben O’Neill has also signed on with the club.

“We’re happy to have retained most of the core player group from last season, adding in some targeted players that will complement the group,” coach Simon Cron said.

“We’ve seen a lot of recent growth within our squad, highlighted by our Wallabies and Australia A representatives and recent success in Super AUS, and we’ll keep driving the players to progress further to move us towards our goals.

“The continuity among our leaders is important, helping to further instil and grow our standards and culture internally which will drive us forward.”

2027 WESTERN FORCE SQUAD

Forwards

Props

Misinale Epenisa, Sef Fa’agase, Reuben O’Neill, Marley Pearce, Tom Robertson, Joshua Smith

Hookers

Nic Dolly, Leonel Oviedo, Brandon Paenga-Amosa

Locks

Lopeti Faifua, Jeremy Williams

Back rowers

Netani Baleisomosomo, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Jack Daly, Aden Ekanayake, Will Harris, Carlo Tizzano

Backs

Half-backs

Luke Aiken, Nathan Hastie, Agustin Moyano, Henry Robertson

Fly-halves

Ben Donaldson, Alex Harford, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips

Midfield

Boston Fakafanua, Divad Palu, Hamish Stewart

Outside backs

Wallace Charlie, Mac Grealy, Dylan Pietsch, James Ramm

Utility

Taj Annan, Zac Lomax, James O’Connor

Train & Trial

Albert Alcock, Tama Anderson, Kurtley Beale, Gus Farnan, Harrison Goddard, Kenny Harris, Zak Healey, Bradley Kuhn, Ronan Leahy, Max Sawers