Proctor signs with the Force

The Western Force have signed single-cap All Black and former Rebels centre Matt Proctor for the 2025 season.

Proctor played five games for the Rebels in 2024 and is currently starting for Wellington in the NPC.

The 31-year-old has played 72 Super Rugby games, the majority for the Hurricanes, and featured for the All Blacks in 2018 against Japan.

“I’m really excited about this move as I see a lot of potential in the Force,” Proctor said.

“The results weren’t quite there last year but looking deeper a lot of the losses were close games, so they weren’t far off, so I can see the potential there.

“The club has made a lot of positive signings over the last 12 months as well. I’m looking forward to a new chapter in my rugby career with my family moving over to Perth.”

Proctor, who has represented Maori All Blacks on 12 occasions, credits departing lock Tom Franklin in persuading him to move west.

“When I was contemplating the move, I spoke to Tom who reiterated it’s a great place to live, they’ve got good people around the club and it’s a team that is moving in a positive direction," he explained.

“Speaking to Crono, I could see we share similar values and see the game the same way as well. All those things you take into consideration for a move like this.

“In terms of what I can bring, I’ve been around the game for over 10 years, so I can bring experience and the way I see the game can hopefully add to what we’re building at the Force.”

Coach Simon Cron was thrilled to get Proctor on board for 2025, adding further experience to a squad that has signed internationals Darcy Swain, Brandon Panega-Amosa and Harry Johnson-Holmes.

“He’s a very decorated player who’ll bring a lot on field,” Cron said. “He’s also a very experienced midfielder who has a really professional attitude towards training and development of those around him.

“The feedback from teams he’s been with in the past has been so positive that we were excited to get him over to Perth.

“He’ll continue to help develop a lot of our back talent, additionally with the most recent injury to Bayley Kuenzle, he really helps us in the backline.”