The Western Force are delighted to announce the re-signing of 2024 Nathan Sharpe medal runner-up Bayley Kuenzle for the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season.
The 26-year-old utility back has re-committed to the Force after returning from a long-term LCL and MCL injuries in 2025 to start the final six games of the Super Rugby season, scoring two tries.
Only 12 months ago, Kuenzle had been on the cusp of a maiden Wallabies call-up when he sustained that knee injury in June last year following his breakout 2024 Super Rugby season.
The versatile former Australia U20 international scored five tries in 12 games in the 2024 season, finishing behind only Ben Donaldson in the Force’s top individual award, the Nathan Sharpe medal.
He proved his flexibility by playing a variety of roles across the backline, leading to his inclusion in a Wallabies’ training camp ahead of the 2024 international season before injury struck.
Sydney-born Kuenzle originally headed west in 2022, crossing from the ACT Brumbies, and has since played 35 games for the Force.
Force head coach Simon Cron said: “BK adds a lot to our environment with his personality type, his professionalism and his approach to the game. He’s a student of the game.
“He has a number of skillsets that we think we can utilize moving forward, with his ability to play multiple positions.
“He’s played brilliantly on the wing for us, he’s played 13 and he wants to get back to 12. That skillset is really valuable.
“BK has worked his way back from a tough injury this year, that he copped when he was on the fringe of the Wallabies wider training squad.
“I think that when he gets a proper pre-season in, he’ll be even better, which is very exciting for him and us.”
Kuenzle was excited to re-commit to the Force and optimistic about a stronger 2026 aided by a full pre-season.
Kuenzle said: “I’m really excited to re-sign. It was tough this year only getting limited games due to my knee injury.
“My aim is to get back to where I was last year and having a good pre-season under my belt will go a long way. Also staying in Australian rugby excites me especially with the home World Cup in two years’ time.
“I want to get be fully fit and give next year a good crack. I really want to give it my all to make the Western Force as successful as we can be.
“The Club is heading in the right direction, we just need to put good performances in week to week. The boys who are sticking around are quality and I’m really keen to be a part of hopefully something special next year.”
Bayley Kuenzle
DOB: 18 June 1998
Place of birth: Sydney, NSW
Height: 186cm
Position: Utility back
Junior club: Burraneer Dolphins (NSW)
WA club: Associates
Career history
Western Force (2022- 35 caps, 7 tries)
ACT Brumbies (2020-2021, 18 caps, 2 tries)
Super Rugby debut: Round 2 2020 vs Melbourne Rebels (playing for the ACT Brumbies)
Super Rugby caps: 53*
Western Force caps: 35*