The Western Force have signed Australia U20s international centre Divad Palu ahead of the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season.
The 20-year-old joins the Force after being on the Melbourne Rebels squad last season. He is a centre, who predominantly plays at 12.
Palu was part of Australia’s U20 Rugby Championship squad, playing games against both South Africa and New Zealand in May.
Auckland-born Melbourne-raised Palu, who has played alongside Force youngsters Ronan Leahy and Kauri Tipene-Grace at U20s level, said he was delighted to head west.
Palu said: “I’m really excited to join the Force. It’s a new opportunity for me and a chance to develop my game and showcase my skills.
“The Force are a club on the rise and I’m excited to play my part to help build on it. It’ll be great to learn off the coaches and see where we can go.
“It’s a big change to move out of home for the first time and it’s an opportunity to grow my character and as a player as well. I’m thrilled to be here.”
Palu's signing follows the recruitment of Wallabies Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Darcy Swain along with hooker Nic Dolly, back-rower Nick Champion de Crespigny and front-rower Harry Johnson-Holmes ahead of the 2025 season.
Palu last week linked up with his Force teammates in Perth for pre-season training and immediately joined his designated WA Premier Grade club Nedlands.
Force head coach Simon Cron said: “He’s 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. We’re excited by him and what he can bring.”
Divad Palu
17/1/2004
Outside back
Melbourne Rebels (2024)
Australia U20s (2 caps)
