Born in Durban South Africa on the 18th June 1989, Dane Haylett-Petty has had his fair share of rugby experience in several different teams and competitions across the world.
In 2007, Haylett-Petty was a member of the Western Australia state side at the National Championships before being selected for the Australia ‘A’ Schools side (now known as the Australian Schools Barbarians) and the Australian Sevens in the same year.
He also represented Australia at the Under 20s level where he scored a record four tries against Canada in the 2008 IRB Junior World Championships before making the cut again for the event the following year. In 2008 he was also once again selected in the Australian Sevens before signing with the Western Force and playing three matches in his very first season.
Two years later Haylett-Petty became a regular for the Force, starring in eight matches and notching his debut Super Rugby try against the Hurricanes.
When the overseas opportunities of rugby came knocking, it was too much to resist as the South African-born back ventured to France where he played for Biarritz in the Top 14 competition.
2013 was another year that offered a series of unique international tastes of rugby for Haylett-Petty, starting with the once-in-12-year-chance to face the British & Irish Lions on Australian soil as a representative of the Force, followed by a stint with Japanese Club, the Tokyo Shokki Shuttles.
In 2014 he returned to WA as a late fullback replacement in the Force’s 28-16 victory over that year’s Super Rugby Champions, the NSW Waratahs in round nine of the tournament. It was a season that saw him make nine appearances for the Western Force and add another Super Rugby try to his name. He also played a prime role in Perth Spirit’s impressive campaign during last year’s inaugural Buildcorp NRC.
Haylett-Petty was named by the Force in recent weeks to make his much-awaited comeback from a foot injury that saw him sidelined for six weeks. Such is the faith of the Force in the adaptable 25-year-old, Haylett-Petty was proudly included as part of the starting line-up soon after for the side’s 10th anniversary season match against the Cheetahs.
Earlier this month Haylett-Petty confirmed an extension with his home-side, with a renewed deal that will see him stay through until the end of 2017.
Dane’s younger brother, Ross is also now a member of the Western Force after signing an Extended Playing Squad contract last year. Off the field, Dane is currently studying a Bachelor of Commerce.
