“He knows he’s trying to fit in and work out how we play, and he’s already added value in a lot of ways.”
McLaughlin-Phillips will feature in Perth alongside halfback James Martens, with the son of former Springboks No.9 Hentie Martens fresh from a one-year contract extension until the end of 2027.
“It occurred to me; I walked in one day and had a chat with Les and he explained that the club wanted me to stay for another couple of years. I wouldn’t want to go anywhere else in Australia,” Martens said.
“[Having dad] he’s definitely helped, just with a couple of key areas looking for space, thinking at different times of the game – just having him in my corner helps me.”
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The retention of Martens will fill the void left by Louis Werchon, who signed a two-year deal with Benetton starting at the end of the Super Rugby campaign, after Wallabies backs Tate McDermott and Kalani Thomas were left in Queensland.
Werchon took part in a seven-match stint with the Italian side through their partnership with the Reds, impressing with his vision and speed while there but refused to rule out a return to Australian rugby.
“I’m a Queenslander and I want to be a Wallaby. There are two Wallaby.” [at the Reds] and I hope to be the third Wallaby on the track,” Werchon said.
“I really enjoyed it there, it’s a completely different game I think, especially like nine – two stages and you kick the box and then two more stages and you kick the box again.
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