“He knows he’s trying to fit and work out how we do play, and he’s already added value in many ways.”
McLaughlin-Phillips will feature alongside halfback James Martens in Perth, with the son of former Springboks No.9 Hentie Martens fresh off inking a one-year contract extension through to the end of 2027.
“It got sprung onto me; one day I walked in and chatted with Les, and he walked me through that the club wants me to stay for another couple of years. I wouldn’t want to go anywhere else in Australia,” Martens said.
“[Having dad] has definitely helped, just with a couple of key areas looking for space, thinking at different times of the game – it just helps having him in my corner.”
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Martens’ retention will fill the void left by Louis Werchon, who has signed a two-year deal with Benetton to begin at the end of the Super Rugby campaign, having been stuck behind Wallabies’ halfbacks Tate McDermott and Kalani Thomas in Queensland.
Werchon partook in a seven-game secondment with the Italian outfit through their partnership with the Reds, impressing with his vision and speed while there, but refusing to rule out a return to Australian rugby.
“I’m a Queenslander and I want to be a Wallaby. There are two Wallabies [at the Reds] and I hope to be a third Wallaby down the track,” Werchon said.
“I really did love it over there, it’s a completely different game I find, especially as a nine – two phases, and you’re box kicking, and then another two phases, and you’re box kicking again.
