Fresh off a two-try, man-of-the-match performance against the Waratahs, Wallabies winger Dylan Pietsch has pledged his future to both Western Force and Rugby Australia by signing a fresh two-year deal.
After missing the start of the season with a foot injury, the damaging outside back has scored four tries in his last three games and saved his best performance for last Friday when he dominated his former team to help the Force to a 20-17 victory.
Pietsch arrived at the Force ahead of the 2025 season and while he has battled injuries across the past two years, the 28-year-old has looked like a Test-calibre player when he has been able to string matches together.
Arguably Australia’s most in-form winger alongside Waratahs star Max Jorgensen, the 10-cap Wallaby’s physical edge as both a ball-carrier and a defender has endeared him to fans.
Pietsch’s signature not only locks him in as a candidate for the Wallabies’ Rugby World Cup squad on home soil next year, but adds to a crowded Force outside back room next season.
His return compliments cross-code convert Zac Lomax, former All Black George Bridge, recently-re-signed Mac Grealy (who also shone against the Waratahs) and the arriving James Ramm, who will join the Force ahead of next season after starring for English side Northampton.
It also softens the blow of losing popular, dependable utility Bayley Kuenzle, who has agreed a two-year deal with Glasgow Warriors.
Pietsch, who will play his 50th Super Rugby Pacific game this week as the Force look to continue their hot streak and keep their finals hopes alive against the Brumbies in Canberra, said he was delighted to extend his stay with the Force.
“Perth is home for my wife Ella and I, so it’s hard to imagine being anywhere else,” he said. “I have so much belief in the direction of this club and where we are heading. Force and the fans have given me so much and I hope I can return the favour.”
“Being in the position to represent my family, culture and country is something I take a lot of pride in, and it drives me to work as hard as I can to hopefully wear the gold jersey.”
Force coach Simon Cron said the return of Pietsch, who was the Force’s best against the British and Irish Lions last year and went on to score against the Lions for the Wallabies in Sydney, was an important re-signing.
“He’s constantly engaged with our group. He’s had a bit of a tough run of it with injury, so it’s great having him back on the park,” he said. “As a player, he adds power and speed. He’s built a great combination with the guys we have on the wings, like Darby Lancaster and Zac Lomax.”
“Pietschy is really close to a lot of boys in the squad too, so it’s important we keep as many of the guys here as possible for cohesion. He’s a great man. Him and his wife Ella love being here too. It’s important we keep driving him forward to give him his best opportunity at Wallabies level too.”
Rugby Australia’s director of high performance Peter Horne said Pietsch was a fantastic ambassador for the game and another example of the wider Australian rugby pathways producing Wallabies. “His physicality for a winger is a point of difference and we look forward to watching him continue to work hard with the Western Force and grow his game.”
