Super Rugby Pacific: Western Force centre Hamish Stewart re-signs with club as Divad Palu joins from Rebels
A key cog in the Western Force backline has put pen to paper on a new deal, with new fringe Wallaby Hamish Stewart re-committing to the club.
The inside centre mainstay went from strength to strength in his second season with the Force, and has signed a new contract with the side to tether him to the club.
It comes as the Force further added to their midfield stocks with the addition of Melbourne Rebels under-20 centre David Palu.
Stewart’s strong form for the Force earned him a call-up to Joe Schmidt’s maiden Wallabies squad to face Wales and Georgia and while he did not see the field, the 26 year-old retained his spot in the squad for their two Rugby Championship Tests against South Africa.
The former Queensland Red has scored three tries across two seasons, but has earned the trust of teammates and coaches with his tough-as-nails, no-nonsense defensive work.
He celebrated his 100th Super Rugby game in 2024 and he finished equal fourth in the league for tackles (180) while having a team-high 85 carries across the campaign and was third in Nathan Sharpe Medal voting.
20 year-old Palu joins the club from the now-defunct Rebels and was part of Australia’s under-20 Rugby Championship squad and has played alongside Force youngsters Ronan Leahy and Kauri Tipene-Grace.
Camera IconHamish Stewart during a Wallabies media opportunity. Credit: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images
He lined up for Premier Rugby outfit Nedlands on Saturday after touching down in Perth.
Force coach Simon Cron was delighted to have Stewart and Palu on the books for the 2025 season.
“Having Hamish re-sign shows he’s really investing in the Western Force and WA rugby,” Cron said.
“I think he had one of the best seasons I’ve seen of Super Rugby this year. He’s tough, he’s strong, works really hard.
Camera IconDivad Palu. Credit: Kim Landy/Getty Images for Super Rugby
“The boys love him. He’s the kind of guy that leads by doing. He does a lot for us as a team.
“(Palu) has got really good feet and acceleration. He can be really explosive in our midfield in that 12 or 13 spot.
“He’s also young so he sits well in our age category in terms of bringing players over who can grow into long-term Force representatives.
“On top of that he’s an amazing person. The first day he landed in Perth he was at Nedlands training that night.”
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