Ex-All Blacks centre bolsters Western Force’s backline stocks

David Skippers
Matt Proctor NZ v Japan 2018 - Alamy

Matt Proctor in action for the All Blacks against Japan.

The Western Force have bolstered their backline stocks after signing one-cap All Blacks midfielder Matt Proctor ahead of next season’s Super Rugby Pacific campaign.

Proctor is a well travelled player who previously had stints at the Melbourne Rebels (2024), Northampton Saints (2019-2023) and the Hurricanes (2013-2019) where he was part of their victorious 2016 Super Rugby campaign.

He won his solitary All Blacks cap against Japan in Tokyo in November 2018, scoring on debut. The 31-year-old also made 12 appearances for the Maori All Blacks between 2013 and 2018.

An experienced campaigner

Proctor is an explosive ball carrier and solid in the execution of his defensive duties. An experienced campaigner who has made 72 Super Rugby appearances, scoring 12 tries while also playing the same number of matches and scoring 12 tries for Northampton in the Premiership and European competitions.

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

“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 is currently playing in New Zealand’s National Provincial Championship with Wellington and will join the Force in November for pre-season training.

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He revealed that conversations with fellow Maori All Black Tom Franklin – who spent the 2024 Super Rugby season with the Force – and head coach Simon Cron convinced him to join the Perth-based outfit.

‘It’s a great place to live’

“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,” said Proctor.

“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.”

Meanwhile, Force head coach Simon Cron is delighted to secure Proctor’s services.

“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.”

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