Force bolster forward pack with addition of 'explosive' Ekuasi

Ekuasi joins the Force after spending the past two seasons with the Melbourne Rebels, after making his Super Rugby debut in 2022 with the Blues.

The 22-year-old back-rower made 27 appearances for four tries for the Rebels, including one against the Force in Round 14 of the 2023 season.

Ekuasi also has experience in New Zealand’s National Provincial Championship, playing with Auckland in the past three editions and will suit up with them again from August to October, before linking up with Force for pre-season training.

Ekuasi said: “I’m pretty excited about a new beginning and a new environment. It’s a point of difference for myself.

“Speaking to Crono, I’m drawn to the Force by their vision and where the Club is headed with their shift of players. I can see there’s good things happening.

“I’m excited to be able to bring my style of play into the Force environment and leave a mark as Crono told me he needs a street fighter, which is a role I’m keen to take on.”

Ekuasi’s signature bolsters the Force’s back-row stocks alongside the likes of Reed Prinsep, Will Harris, new signing Nick Champion de Crespigny and 2024 Members’ MVP Carlo Tizzano.

Force head coach Simon Cron said: “He’s explosive and powerful. His preferred position is number 8 but can play six and seven so he gives us some coverage.

“We need to add some street fighters to our team and he sits in that category. When he hits people, they stay hit. You’ve seen that we need that against some of the bigger teams this year.

“Personality wise he is a really lovely guy, humble and driven to be successful. He’s a guy that we want here at the club for 2025 and into the future.”

Ekuasi’s signing follows the recruitment of Wallabies Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Darcy Swain along with hooker Nic Dolly, back-rower Champion de Crespigny, dynamic back Divad Palu and front-rower Harry Johnson-Holmes ahead of the 2025 season.

Vaiolini Ekuasi

11/10/2001 Back-rower Melbourne Rebels – Super Rugby (2023-2024), 27 caps Blues – Super Rugby (2022), 1 cap Auckland - NPC (2021-), 18 caps