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The Western Force beat the NSW Waratahs 53-26 in the 2026 Super Rugby AUS final on 3 October, claiming their maiden title. Winger Dylan Pietsch scored three tries, and the Force took a 26-5 lead into halftime before holding off the Waratahs’ second-half challenge.
2026 Super Rugby AUS final score and winner
Western Force defeated the NSW Waratahs 53-26 in Perth. Rugby Australia described the result as the Force’s first Super Rugby AUS championship. The win also reversed the teams’ 2025 final result, when the Waratahs won 33-26, according to Rugby Australia’s final preview.
How the match unfolded
The Force built a 21-point halftime lead
Jackson Iose scored in the third minute, and Pietsch added the Force’s second try. Nic Dolly and Wallace Charlie also crossed before Waratahs centre Charlie Bird scored late in the first half. Rugby Australia’s match report recorded a 26-5 Force lead at halftime.
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Latrell Smiler-Ah Kiong and Oniti Finau scored for the Waratahs in the second half. Albert Alcock and Pietsch replied for the Force. Pietsch’s two second-half tries completed his hat-trick and, as Rugby Australia reported, ended hopes of a late Waratahs fightback.
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Dylan Pietsch’s hat-trick
Pietsch scored three tries in the final. His first came during the Force’s first-half scoring run; he added two more after the break as the Waratahs attempted to close the gap. The hat-trick was a defining part of the Force’s title-winning performance, without requiring any broader claim about his season or tournament statistics.
A rematch with a different champion
The 2026 final was a rematch of the inaugural 2025 decider. The Waratahs entered seeking consecutive championships, but the Force’s 53-26 win gave them their first Super Rugby AUS title and denied the defending champions a repeat.
Rank #2
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- HAND-STITCHED: In addition to our superior triangular grip pattern, and 3 ply poly cotton panels, all Gilbert rugby balls are hand stitched for durability. Pull it out of your rugby bag and trust that It's tough as nails. With over 20 years of experience, Gilbert is a trusted brand, making top-quality training equipment that stands up to the toughest challenges, making it the ultimate rugby game ball.
- EASY CARE: Prior to training or a match, use a soft cloth, light detergent, and warm water to remove dirt and residue from your rugby ball. All training/practice rugby balls and rugby game balls come deflated. Inflate them to 9.5 psi using a rugby pump, or any ball pump. Gilbert training balls are a great choice for any rugby team or player looking for an uncompromising, high-quality rugby ball.
Where to watch Super Rugby AUS
In its pre-final coverage, Rugby Australia named Stan Sport and Rugby.com.au as live and on-demand viewing destinations for Super Rugby AUS. That information was published before the final; check those services directly for current replay availability and any post-final access terms.
Final venue and scheduled kickoff
Rugby Australia’s 30 September team announcement listed the venue as Scotch College Playing Fields in Swanbourne, Perth, and scheduled kickoff for 4:30 pm AEST. That is the announced schedule; the announcement does not independently confirm the actual kickoff time. It also named the Force and Waratahs starting line-ups, while the match report is the source for the result and scoring.
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Rank #4
- TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED: A durable rugby practice ball you and your rugby team can trust. Featuring Gilbert's newly patented triangular surface grip pattern, the G-TR4000 represents a major step forward in grip technology on training rugby balls. Tests have shown that this new, more defined pattern is hard wearing and allows the rugby player more surface area contact with the ball when handling.
- AS TOUGH AS YOU: Thanks to its proprietary hydratec technical fabrics and waterproof laminations, the Gilbert rugby ball handles even the roughest conditions, enhancing the life and performance of the ball. Gilbert knows what it takes to produce top quality youth rugby, and adult rugby balls, that will last multiple seasons of heavy use.
- PREMIUM CONSTRUCTION: Preparing for a rugby game is serious business. Our size 5 rugby ball, as well as our size 3 and 4 size rugby ball for kids, feature a 3-ply poly-cotton and cotton laminate panels. This means that our balls will weigh slightly more, perform better on longer kicks and passes, and generally hold its shape better than a ball of 2-ply construction.
- HAND-STITCHED: In addition to our superior triangular grip pattern, and 3 ply poly cotton panels, all Gilbert rugby balls are hand stitched for durability. Pull it out of your rugby bag and trust that It's tough as nails. With over 20 years of experience, Gilbert is a trusted brand, making top-quality training equipment that stands up to the toughest challenges, making it the ultimate rugby game ball.
- EASY CARE: Prior to training or a match, use a soft cloth, light detergent, and warm water to remove dirt and residue from your rugby ball. All training/practice rugby balls and rugby game balls come deflated. Inflate them to 9.5 psi using a rugby pump, or any ball pump. Gilbert training balls are a great choice for any rugby team or player looking for an uncompromising, high-quality rugby ball.
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