"Focused on ourselves" - In-form Darby Lancaster ready for Chiefs challenge

The 22-year-old winger has made an immediate impact, scoring three tries in as many matches after making his debut for the side in Round 3 against Moana Pasifika.

The Force head into the clash looking to turn their season around. They currently sit second from the bottom of the Super Rugby standings with one win from five matches, while the Chiefs arrive in stronger form with three victories and two defeats.

Lancaster is well aware of the challenge ahead, particularly given the Chiefs’ attacking strengths.

"We've got the Chiefs this week, so very attacking, elusive sort of game style and we're doing our best this week in training to get some practice in for shutting down their threats."

Despite the opposition’s quality, Lancaster says the team’s primary focus remains internal.

"We're always focused on ourselves, we'll study and analyse their threats and how we're going to manage shutting them down but at the end of the day, we're focused on what we can do to control and win the game."

Lancaster’s recent try-scoring run has been a bright spot for the Force, though he is quick to credit his teammates for creating opportunities.

"Ended up in the right place a couple of times so that's always nice, boys inside me doing some good work and putting me away which is credit to them."

Still relatively new to the squad, Lancaster continues to develop combinations with those around him and is eager to grow his role within the team.

"There's some great players inside me and the more they get me the ball, the happier I am so that's their job to spread around, and my job to get a run when I get it."

Saturday’s fixture will also mark Lancaster’s first home game for the Force after a period on the road following his return from injury, adding another layer of excitement for the young winger.

"I'm super keen… I'm really excited and hopefully first of many."

Lancaster’s journey to the Force has come via a disrupted Super Rugby landscape. Following the disbanding of the Melbourne Rebels after the 2024 season, he joined the New South Wales Waratahs for the 2025 campaign.

There, he made eight appearances and scored four tries, remaining a consistent presence on the wing despite mixed results for the team. His form peaked during the British and Irish Lions tour, where he scored and earned selection in the AUNZ Invitational XV.

In August 2025, Lancaster signed with the Western Force for the 2026 season, opting to stay in Australia despite reported interest from Newcastle Red Bulls.

At international level, Lancaster has represented Australia at under-20 level and made his senior debut in 2024, starting on the wing in a win over Georgia. He later featured for Australia A against England A, further underlining his potential.