NSW Waratahs coach Dan McKellar has named seven Waratahs debutants, including Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i, in the squad for their Round One clash against the Highlanders on Friday night at Allianz Stadium, Sydney.
Sua'ali'i, who returns to rugby after a stint with the Sydney Roosters, will start at fullback. Joining him in making their Waratahs debut are prop Taniela Tupou, flanker Rob Leota, prop Siosifa Amone, second-rower Ben Grant, English backrower Jamie Adamson and winger Darby Lancaster.
Tupou, Leota, and Lancaster arrive from the Melbourne Rebels, while Amone joins from the Western Force. Grant previously played for the Hurricanes, and Adamson was part of the Eastern Suburbs squad in the Shute Shield.
The Waratahs’ lineup includes twelve Wallabies, with eleven named in the starting XV. Alongside Suaalii, Tupou, Leota, and Lancaster, the squad features prop Angus Bell, hooker David Porecki, No. 8 Langi Gleeson, scrumhalf and captain Jake Gordon, flyhalf Tane Edmed, outside centre Lalakai Foketi, and wingers Max Jorgensen and Andrew Kellaway.
Friday’s match marks the beginning of a new era for the Waratahs, with McKellar taking charge in his first Super Rugby Pacific game as head coach and a revamped coaching and support staff behind him.
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“We have seven debutants, a head coach on debut, and a number of new assistant coaches and staff,” McKellar said. “It’s an exciting time for the Waratahs as we embark on a new journey for the organisation.”
Waratahs Round 1 Team vs The Highlanders
| 1. | Angus Bell |
| 2. | David Porecki |
| 3. | Taniela Tupou |
| 4. | Hugh Sinclair |
| 5. | Miles Amatosero |
| 6. | Rob Leota |
| 7. | Charlie Gamble |
| 8. | Langi Gleeson |
| 9. | Jake Gordon |
| 10. | Tane Edmed |
| 11. | Max Jorgensen |
| 12. | Joey Walton |
| 13. | Lalakai Foketi |
| 14. | Andrew Kellaway |
| 15. | Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i |
| 16. | Mahe Vailanu |
| 17. | Tom Lambert |
| 18. | Siosifa Amone |
| 19. | Ben Grant |
| 20. | Jamie Adamson |
| 21. | Jack Grant |
| 22. | Jack Bowen |
| 23. | Darby Lancaster |
Waratahs vs Highlanders preview
Two of the last three Super Rugby Pacific games between the Waratahs and Highlanders have been won by the away team on the day, including a 23-21 win for the Highlanders at Allianz Stadium in the most recent meeting between them.
The Waratahs have won three of their last four Super Rugby Pacific games against the Highlanders at Allianz Stadium, holding the visitors to 23 points or fewer on every occasion; though, they lost 21-23 in their most recent meeting at the venue.
The Waratahs have lost their last six consecutive games in Super Rugby Pacific, their longest losing run in the competition since they lost 13 straight games across the 2021 Super Rugby AU and Trans-Tasman competitions.
The Waratahs have won only one of their last eight Super Rugby Pacific games at Allianz Stadium, a 43-40 extra-time win against the Crusaders in Round 8, 2024; though, only one of their seven defeats in that span came by a margin of more than nine points.
* Stats courtesy of Opta