The Western Force have named the Club’s initial 31-player squad for next month’s inaugural Super Rugby AUS competition.
Experienced Wallaby Kurtley Beale is one of three international capped players selected in the group, alongside lock Darcy Swain and scrum-half Issak Fines-Leleiwasa.
The squad also includes locals like Joondalup Brothers product and 2023 Force Rising Star winner Marley Pearce and 2021 Nathan Sharpe medalist and Wests-Scarborough back-rower Kane Koteka.
Full-back Mac Grealy is selected after a strong maiden 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season in the west, where he was second league-wide for metres gained (878) and eighth for defenders beaten (41).
Force regulars Will Harris, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Max Burey, George Poolman and Henry Robertson are among the squad.
Dynamic centre Divad Palu returns after his maiden Super Rugby season at the Force was cut short due to a shoulder injury. Back-rower Papillon Sevele could don the Force blue for the first time in competitive action following knee injuries.
Thirteen of the group are current Fortescue Academy squad members, including Sunshine Coast scrum-half Luke Aiken who has joined the Force after stints with Auckland and the Queensland Reds at under-age level. Aiken is a former Australian Schools and U18s international.
Among the Academy members are recent Australia U20 representatives Ollie Barrett, Boston Fakafanua and Finn Prass. Reigning Force Rising Star and recent Academy Player of the Year winner Albert Alcock is also named.
The Academy contingent also includes Kalamunda brothers Dane and Max Sawers, Joondalup’s Ryan McGloin, UWA’s Tiam Toufan, Associates duo Justin Landman and HD Stemmet, Wests-Scarborough’s Billy Browne and Nedlands’ Riley Brewis, who is set to turn out for his side in this Saturday’s Fortescue Premier Grade semi-finals.
Loosehead prop Bradley Kuhn is also named, joining the Force for Super Rugby AUS on a train-and-trial basis. Kuhn, 24, recently played in Japan with Tokyo Sungoliath and comes out of Brisbane club rugby with UQ.
Acting Force head coach James Stannard said: “It’s exciting to announce our first-ever Super Rugby AUS squad with a good mix of youth and experience.
“The wider group returned to training a fortnight ago, putting in a good block full of hard work as we build towards the tournament.
“We’re looking forward to playing some meaningful games at this time of year to help progress the ongoing growth and development of our playing squad.
“It’s also an exciting opportunity for some of our younger members and Fortescue Academy players to play at a higher level as they transition into Super Rugby ranks.”
On the injury front, Bayley Kuenzle and Nic Dolly are unavailable after both underwent surgeries following the Force’s game against the British & Irish Lions on June 28. Harry Hoopert, Harry Johnson-Holmes and Doug Philipson are also unavailable due to knee injuries.
The Force opens their Super Rugby AUS campaign away to the NSW Waratahs, before hosting the ACT Brumbies (Sunday 21 September) and Queensland Reds (Sunday 28 September) at Palmyra RUFC’s Tompkins Park.
Force home games will be free entry. All Super Rugby AUS games will be broadcast live and on-demand on Stan Sport.
Squad
Forwards
Front-rowers: Albert Alcock*, Ollie Barrett*, Riley Brewis*, Bradley Kuhn, Marley Pearce, Max Sawers*, Tiaan Tauakipulu
Locks/back-rowers: Billy Browne*, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Will Harris, Kane Koteka, Titi Nofoagatotoa, Dane Sawers*, Papillon Sevele, HD Stemmet*, Darcy Swain, Mitch Watts
Backs
Half-backs: Luke Aiken*, Max Burey, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Finn Prass*, Henry Robertson
Centres/back three: Kurtley Beale, Boston Fakafanua*, Mac Grealy, Justin Landman*, Ronan Leahy, Ryan McGloin*, Divad Palu, George Poolman, Tiam Toufan*
*2025 Fortescue Academy squad
