The Western Force is thrilled to confirm that Fortescue Premier Grade club Palmyra RUFC will play host to the side’s upcoming Super Rugby AUS home games.
Palmyra’s Tompkins Park will be the venue for the Force’s two Super Rugby AUS home games against the ACT Brumbies on Sunday 21 September from 2pm WST and against the Queensland Reds on Sunday 28 September from 2:30pm WST.
The first iteration of Super Rugby AUS is an important strategic move to create more meaningful fixtures in Australian Rugby for professional players not involved at international level in the second half of the calendar year, following club rugby commitments.
Both games will be preceded by under-age games in the Super Rugby Men’s U19s and U16s competitions, which are a critical part of the RugbyWA pathway in the state to help develop and foster the next generation of talent.
Southern Lions RUFC will also host the Force’s final Super Rugby Men’s U16s home game against the Queensland Reds as a stand-alone fixture on Sunday 19 October from 1pm WST.
The September 21 date at Palmyra will be played as a double-header with the Force to also take on the Brumbies in the Super Rugby Men’s U19s from 12pm WST.
The September 28 gameday will be a triple-header, with the Force facing Rugby Victoria in the Super Rugby Men’s U16s from 10:30am WST and the Force taking on the Reds in the Super Rugby Men’s U19s from 12:30pm WST.
All Force home games will be free entry for fans. All Super Rugby AUS games will be live streamed on Stan Sport.
Western Force CEO Niamh O’Connor said: “We’re rapt to connect with WA club rugby and the grass roots community through playing our Super Rugby AUS and pathway home games at Palmyra RUFC and Southern Lions RUFC.
“The Super Rugby AUS competition is an important part of the Australian Rugby pathway to support the ongoing growth and development of players, coaches and staff.
“The competition also provides more opportunities for WA rugby fans to watch the Force and Super Rugby, so we’re really happy to bring this action to a strong local rugby club like Palmyra.
“We’re really grateful for Southern Lions’ support and hospitality for our U16s fixture and know both clubs will put on a great show with their home games which we anticipate will attract a lot of the local rugby community.
“We thank Palmyra and the City of Melville along with Southern Lions and the City of Cockburn for their support in bringing to life these games.”
Palmyra RUFC was founded in 1934 and are one of Perth's premier rugby clubs competing in the Fortescue RugbyWA Premier Grade men's and women's competitions along with juniors. Pally were Premier Grade men's champions as recently as 2023 and are currently third in the men's competition with one round to play before finals.
Palmyra RUFC president Peter Matthiesen, speaking on behalf of the club, said: “Palmyra Rugby Union Club is proud and excited to host the upcoming fixtures featuring the Western Force Super Rugby AUS, U19s and U16s teams. These matches present a fantastic opportunity to showcase emerging local talent to our passionate rugby community.
“The matches also highlight Palmyra Rugby Union Club’s home grounds and the facilities that support our day-to-day operations in allowing us to continue building pathways that provide representative opportunities such as showcased in these matches.
“We sincerely thank RugbyWA, the Western Force, and the City of Melville for their support in making this opportunity possible. We look forward to welcoming players, fans, and supporters to what promises to be a great celebration of rugby and community.”
Southern Lions, previously known as Fremantle-Leeming RUFC, were founded in 1987 and also compete in the Fortescue RugbyWA Premier Grade men's and women's competitions along with juniors. The Club re-located to its state-of-the-art Success facilities in 2010.
Southern Lions RUFC club president Ronan O’Shea said: “Southern Lions is delighted to host the Western Force U16s against the Queensland Reds. The match promises to be an exciting one and we look forward to the WA players showing what they are made of.
“Southern Lions is very thankful to RugbyWA and the Western Force for providing this opportunity to showcase the best of rugby union talent at our grounds.
"It is a great chance to show the Cockburn community what we can do. We’ll work with the City of Cockburn and the other stakeholders to put on the best day possible."
The squads for the Super Rugby AUS, U19s and U16s competitions are due to be announced in mid-August.
The Force thanks RugbyWA for their support of the U19s and U16s programs.
Click here for more information on Super Rugby AUS
Western Force upcoming home schedule
Sunday 21 September
12pm, Super Rugby Men’s U19s, Round 2 - Western Force vs ACT Brumbies – Tompkins Park, Palmyra RUFC
2pm, Super Rugby AUS, Round 2 – Western Force vs ACT Brumbies – Tompkins Park, Palmyra RUFC
Sunday 28 September
10:30am, Super Rugby Men’s U16s, Round 1 – Western Force vs Rugby Victoria – Tompkins Park, Palmyra RUFC
12:30pm, Super Rugby Men’s U19s, Round 3 - Western Force vs Queensland Reds – Tompkins Park, Palmyra RUFC
2:30pm, Super Rugby AUS, Round 3 – Western Force vs Queensland Reds – Tompkins Park, Palmyra RUFC
Sunday 19 October
1pm, Super Rugby Men’s U16s, Round 4 – Western Force vs Queensland Reds, Success Regional Sporting Facility, Southern Lions RUFC
*All Force home games free entry
**All Super Rugby AUS games live on Stan Sport
