The Western Force is excited to confirm the signing of exciting 22-year-old fly-half Harry McLaughlin-Phillips on a three-year deal, keeping him in Perth until 2029.
McLaughlin-Phillips joins the Force from the Queensland Reds where he played 36 times, including earning 29 Super Rugby Pacific caps after debuting in Round 1 of the 2024 season.
Toowoomba-born McLaughlin-Phillips played 11 games last season for the Reds, scoring one try and kicking 17 goals with an 89.5 percentage accuracy.
The talented fly-half was part of Australia’s U20s at the 2023 and 2024 World Rugby U20 Championships, starting every game in the 2024 campaign.
McLaughlin-Phillips was selected for the AUNZ Invitational XV during last year’s British and Irish Lions Series where he worked alongside Force head coach Simon Cron.
The two linked up again during the Australia A tour of Japan, where the Aussies triumphed 71-7 under Cron’s tutelage in October last year.
McLaughlin-Phillips said he was excited to make the move to the Force, revealing Cron played a key role in his decision, along with an exciting playing group.
“I’m super pumped to be coming over to join the Western Force,” McLaughlin-Phillips said.
“The team has gone from strength to strength over the past few years and I want to be part of that. I want to come over and dominate. I want to help this team dominate Super Rugby too.
“One of the biggest reasons for signing on is Cronno. He’s a strong, dominant coach. He’s someone who I want to be led by.
“I’m also really excited by the playing group. It’s a strong roster with a forward pack I want to play behind and alongside an exciting backline full of quality.
“By committing for three years, that shows I want to be in this team and the Western Force organisation for a long time.”
Force head coach Simon Cron said: “Harry is a brilliant first five-eighth. He manages a game really well and is a triple threat so keeps opposition guessing.
“We’re really excited to have him come out to the Force. He’s been on our radar for a number of years. I was lucky enough to coach him last year with AUNZ as well as Australia A and you could see how tough and strong he is during that time.
“We think his personality suits our group here. He’s good friends with a couple of the guys we have in our environment. We’re really looking forward to getting him over here.”
Harry McLaughlin-Phillips
DOB: 13/4/2004 Height: 177cm Position: Fly-half
Super Rugby history
Queensland Reds (29 caps, 2023-2026)
International career history
Australia U20s (10 caps, 2023-24)
