The Western Force enter the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season with a notable shift not just in personnel, but in structure, following the addition of recently retired Wallaby Nic White to the coaching staff. 

White joins the Force as assistant coach – skills under head coach Simon Cron, bringing immediate continuity and experience after spending the past two seasons as a player in Perth.

That transition adds a new layer to a program coming off a challenging 2025 campaign. 

The Force finished ninth with a 4–1–9 record, a result that reflected both development progress and the difficulty of sustaining results across a full 14-match season. White’s move from vice-captain to coach places a familiar voice in a leadership role as the club looks to raise standards internally.

White’s appointment strengthens an already established coaching group that includes James Stannard, Brad Harris and Craig Dunlea, while reinforcing Cron’s long-term vision. 

With White embedding into preseason training and taking on a mentorship-focused role, the Western Force begin 2026 based at HBF Park with evolution off the field shaping the direction of the season as much as changes on it.

Western Force Super Rugby Schedule 2026February 14: 3:35 a.m.: Western Force vs. ACT BrumbiesFebruary 21: 3:35 a.m.: Western Force vs. BluesFebruary 27: 1:05 a.m.: Moana Pasifika vs. Western ForceMarch 6: 10:35 p.m.: Highlanders vs. Western ForceMarch 13: 2:05 a.m.: Hurricanes vs. Western ForceMarch 28: 4:35 a.m.: Western Force vs. ChiefsApril 4: 4:35 a.m.: Queensland Reds vs. Western ForceApril 10: 12:35 a.m.: Fijian Drua vs. Western ForceApril 18: 7:55 a.m.: Western Force vs. CrusadersMay 1: 5:35 a.m.: NSW Waratahs vs. Western ForceMay 9: 5:35 a.m.: ACT Brumbies vs. Western ForceMay 16: 5:35 a.m.: Western Force vs. Queensland RedsMay 23: 5:35 a.m.: Western Force vs. Fijian DruaMay 30: 5:35 a.m.: Western Force vs. NSW WaratahsWhat Did Western Force Do in 2025?

The Western Force finished ninth in the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific standings with a 4–1–9 record and 23 points, ending the season outside the playoff positions.

2025 Super Rugby Pacific StandingsChiefs, 11–3 (51 points)Crusaders, 11–3 (49 points)ACT Brumbies, 9–5 (44 points)Hurricanes, 8–1–5 (39 points)Queensland Reds, 8–6 (38 points)Blues, 6–8 (33 points)Moana Pasifika, 6–8 (28 points)NSW Waratahs, 6–8 (26 points)Western Force, 4–1–9 (23 points)Fijian Drua, 4–10 (20 points)Highlanders, 3–11 (20 points)The Western Force Coach Is Simon Cron

Simon Cron is the head coach of the Western Force, leading the Perth-based side into the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season.

When Does The Super Rugby Pacific Season Start?

The 30th season of Super Rugby begins with Round 1 on Feb. 13 with the first game being in Dunedin between the Highlanders and Crusaders at 1:05 a.m. ET. 

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