Rugby Australia and the Western Force are excited to announce Ben Donaldson has inked a new contract in re-committing to Australian Rugby until the end of 2027.
Donaldson has shone across two seasons at the Force, since moving west following the 2023 World Cup, including winning the Club’s 2024 Nathan Sharpe medal.
The 27-year-old fly-half has played 25 games for the Force, having previously represented the NSW Waratahs 38 times in Super Rugby after debuting in 2020.
Donaldson’s kicking game and ability to beat defenders has been a major feature at the Force, memorably scoring an after-the-siren game-winning solo try in Round 1 this season against Moana Pasifika.
The Clovelly Eagles junior represented Australia at Schools, U20s and ‘A’ levels, before debuting for the Wallabies against Italy in 2022. He went on to play all four games at the 2023 World Cup in France.
He played nine of the Wallabies 13 Tests last year, and has pulled on the gold jersey a total of 16 times so far in his international career.
Donaldson said: “I’m extremely excited to re-commit to the Western Force and Australian Rugby.
“I’ve been here two years now and loved my time in WA. We’ve got a great group of boys at the Force with the core having signed on for several more years which is exciting about where we can go as a group.
“We have a great culture, which given many of us aren’t originally from here, feels like our family in Perth and that makes us a close-knit unit.
“This season has been disappointing for us, not achieving what we set out to achieve, but there’s been glimpses of what we can do and that all fuels the fire.
“I had a few offers from overseas, but I’m delighted to be staying in Australian rugby with the Lions tour later year as well as the Bledisloe Cup in Perth. There’s obviously also the lure of the home 2027 World Cup, which is extremely motivating.
“I’ve been part of the Wallabies squad in recent times and it’s a strong group with a good coaching unit, so hopefully I continue to be part of that moving forward with those big games and events to come.
“I’d love to take the Force and Australian rugby to high levels and leave it in a better place.”
Force head coach Simon Cron was thrilled to see Donaldson to re-commit to the Club.
Cron said: “It’s great to have Dono stay on. He’s a big part of our squad, big part of our team.
“He’s a leader in our group and a core member of driving the Western Force forward.
“I know he’s disappointed, like I am, about some of the close games this year, but if we can keep the core playing group together, it’s going to hold us in great stead moving forward.
“Most importantly he’s an amazing human who continues to thrive in WA and we’re looking forward to helping him continue his journey both with us and the Wallabies.”
Rugby Australia director of high performance Peter Horne said: “Ben is a good young player and a strong example of the Australian Rugby pathways system at work.
“He’s earned good experience at both Super Rugby Pacific and Test level in recent years and we’re looking forward to watching him continue to work hard and develop his game.”
Ben Donaldson
Position: Fly-half/full-back
Height: 184cm
Weight: 86kg
Born: 4 April 1999
Place of birth: Sydney, NSW
Test debut: 2022 v Italy, Firenze
Wallaby number: 962
Test caps: 16
Super Rugby debut: 2020 v Force (for Waratahs)
Super Rugby caps: 63* (25*, Western Force); (38, NSW Waratahs)
