Western Force Super Rugby AUS head coach Damian Steele says Nic Dolly was a “natural choice” to be captain for the upcoming competition, supported by Mac Grealy and Will Harris.
The Force flew east to Brisbane on Friday ahead of Saturday’s Swyftx Super Rugby AUS opener against the Queensland Reds at Ballymore Stadium from 11:30am WST.
Dolly was confirmed as captain of the side for Super Rugby AUS, with Grealy and Harris to support as vice-captains in the absence of Wallabies Jeremy Williams and Ben Donaldson.
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The 27-year-old Wallabies hopeful hooker, who earned one cap for England in 2021, played 11 of 14 Super Rugby Pacific games in 2026, largely as a deputy to Wallaby Brandon Paenga-Amosa. Dolly has been an ever-present at Force HQ over the past few months, building ahead of the 2027 season.
“Dol has been here the whole time from the outset,” Steele explained. “He’s led this program really well.
“Both his on field stuff and off field, he’s been excellent with the young guys and new guys to the environment, really settling them in. Nic, KB (Kurtley Beale) and (Nathan) Hastie have been awesome. Dol was a natural choice as a leader.”
Grealy only recently returned to the Force set-up after playing for UQ in Queensland’s Hospital Cup, along with Harris, who landed in Perth on Sunday following Eastern Suburbs’ grand final triumph in NSW’s Shute Shield on Saturday.
Full-back Grealy had a strong second season in Force blue in 2026, having earned a taste of Australia A action in 2025, scoring two tries and laying off four try assists from 12 games, with 1,221 carry metres and seven offloads.
Versatile forward Harris played 13 of 14 games in the 2026 season, mostly as a replacement in a variety of roles. He added plenty offensively and defensively with his energy and power, while brings a lot to the group culturally.
Steele added: “Mac the last few weeks, he’s just building as a leader as well. Out on the field, he’s really comfortable with where he’s at with his journey.
“Will has had a really positive season. He only came back on Sunday night after his grand final but that shows where Will is at.
“He didn’t want to miss this game despite having the grand final. We chatted if it’s in his best interests to come across the country, then go back across to Brisbane but he was adamant he wanted to play.
“His growth within the group, he’s comfortable, he’s a lineout leader. He’ll be a really good general for Dolly.”
Steele was bullish about the side’s Super Rugby AUS training block, which has involved a mix of Wallabies hopefuls, Super Rugby hopefuls and Academy/club rugby players.
“It’s been a really good campaign the last couple of weeks, especially since club rugby wrapped up,” he said. “The last two weeks of prep have been really, really good.
“With some boys coming back, it increases the level of the group but also brings the level of the academy and club boys up as well.
“Harry McLaughlin-Phillips and Will Harris have slotted straight in. Everyone is really amped for the game. There’s a lot of positivity around the group.”
McLaughlin-Phillips is an exciting addition, having had a standout season with Hospital Cup grand finalists Wests Bulldogs, after penning a deal with the Force moving across from the Queensland Reds. The fly-half has already been speculated as a Wallabies hopeful.
Steele said: “Fortunately I worked with Harry a few years ago when he was in the Reds Under-18s so I had a little bit of rapport with him already. We were pretty respectful about giving him space to finish out the season.
“Jono Lance, Whitey (Nic White) and I caught up with him last week once he was done, before he flew over. We were really impressed with all the detail already. He’s really diligent so he’s come in really prepared. This week it’s been more giving him the confidence that he’s got the keys to the car.
“Having James (O’Connor) and KB around him, they’ve been really supportive as well. He knows how to play rugby. We want to give him the confidence to do his thing.”
Steele said O’Connor, who is part of the AUS squad, was “not ready at the minute”, instead playing more of a mentoring role.
He pointed to several players as ones to watch this competition, including props Bradley Kuhn, Max Sawers and Regin Pratt, plus Wests Scarborough back-rower Seta Baker and Nedlands utility back Tama Anderson.
Wallace Charlie has re-joined the Force following a stint with the Aussie 7s side and looms as an X-factor on the wing.
Steele added: “He’s played a lot of 15s and he’s played the Aus U20s. He’s back in pretty decent rhythm. He’s also familiar with us, because he had a year with us before 7s, so he’s slotted straight back in.
“He’s linking really nicely with Mac and Ronan (Leahy) on the other wing. It’s about a framework and guidance on how he want to play but also give him the freedom to play what he sees. He’s such a dynamic player.”
Saturday’s game is live on Stan Sport and rugby.com.au’s Youtube channel from 11:30am WST.
The Force host the ACT Brumbies in game two at North Coast RUFC in Butler on Sunday 20 September from 1:30pm with entry free.
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