The Western Force are excited to announce the appointment of the experienced Brad Harris as the Club’s new defence coach ahead of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season.
Harris brings a wealth of experience to the Force set-up from previous roles in both international and club rugby, including working as Fiji’s forwards coach during their run to the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-finals. He also spent three years as Georgia’s assistant coach – forwards from 2016 to 2018.
Harris also boasts Super Rugby coaching experience from stints with the Melbourne Rebels (assistant coach - defence, 2024) and Fijian Drua (assistant coach – defence, 2022-2023) whom both reached finals across the three seasons he worked at the two clubs.
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He’s also previously worked with Australia XV last year and led University of Canberra Vikings to the 2015 National Rugby Championship grand final as head coach. More recently, Harris worked at the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup as Manusina Samoa’s technical advisor.
Force head coach Simon Cron said: “Brad has a real passion for defence. He backs that passion up with a strong technical knowledge.
“He has positive existing relationships with our playing group. There’s a number of players within our environment that he’s coached and worked with before which is important. All of those players have given glowing endorsements of him.
“Brad also brings a lot of experience which allows us to share the load within the coaching team.
“Wholistically, his philosophy is aligned with what we’re looking to do with the team. I think he’ll pick up where the team is and continue to drive high standards and expectations of the players.”
Harris said he was thrilled to join the Force to coach alongside Cron and his staff, and work in Super Rugby again.
“I’m incredibly excited to join the Force,” Harris said. “First and foremost, Perth is a wonderful city and a great place to live.
“It’s been exciting talking to Simon Cron and Chris Goodman about what they’re building at the Force. I’m also excited about where this squad can go having observed the improvements in the program over the last few years and edging closer to finals.
“I’ve coached three Super Rugby campaigns with two clubs and reached the finals twice, so I’m looking forward to building on that experience here and helping this group take the next step.”
Harris will arrive in Perth in a fortnight's time ahead of the Club's pre-season for the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season commencing in November.
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Brad Harris
Coaching experience
2025 – Manusina Samoa: Technical advisor
2023-2024 – Melbourne Rebels: Assistant coach – defence
2023 – Flying Fijians: Assistant coach – forwards
2021-2023 – Fijian Drua: Assistant coach – defence
2018-2021 – Fiji Rugby Union: Flying Fijians, Fijian U20, Fijian Drua + Latui technical advisor & Fijian Men’s 7s assistant coach
2016-2018 – Georgia: Assistant coach – forwards
2015 – University of Canberra Vikings – Head coach
2015 – Australia Barbarians: Co-coach
2014-2015 – ACT Brumby Runners – Head coach
2012-2015 – Tuggeranong Vikings – Coaching director
