NSW Waratahs Head Coach Dan McKellar has made six changes to the starting XV for Friday night’s blockbuster Round 13 Super Rugby Pacific Derby against the Queensland Reds at Allianz Stadium in Moore Park, Sydney.
In a major boost, Wallabies hooker David Porecki and powerhouse lock Fergus Lee-Warner return to the match day squad in the run-on side from injuries, bolstering the forward pack with much-needed experience and presence.
“It’s great to have ‘Porks’ back … a leader in our group, outstanding set piece, top three or four in the world for his line out throwing and his physicality,” McKellar said of Porecki.
“When he’s at his best, he plays nice and physical. And again, he just has a strong presence within the group, provides others with a little bit of comfort.”
Porecki had been sidelined with a calf injury and returns at a crucial time in the NSW Waratahs’ campaign that has seen all their five wins at home.
Lee-Warner, who suffered a Lisfranc injury in the team’s pre-season trial in Japan against Kubota Spears in November, has also been named to start.
His selection is a reward for his dedication to his rehabilitation and conditioning and his work behind the scenes in helping the team prepare every week.
“'Big Ferg,' you'd not find a better team man than Fergus Lee-Warner,” McKellar said.
“Most players when they're in rehab, long term rehab, isolate themselves from the group. He's been completely the opposite,” McKellar said.
“He’s done so much work in the background around line-out, attack, on our defence, just really pleased that he gets to contribute to this season.”
Asked about the decision to start Lee-Warner so soon after his return, McKellar was unequivocal in his support.
“He got 40 minutes out with Easts [in the Shute Shield] last week, which was good,” McKellar said.
“I don't expect him to be perfect on Friday night, but he'll be full of effort and fight, and that's what we want and expect from each other.
“So yeah ... it is a reward for all those off field actions. I look at that as closely as the on-field actions … how players carry themselves under adversity. He's been first class.”
Also returning from injury is backrower Charlie Gamble, who slots back into the No. 7 jersey after recovering from a calf issue.
Gamble’s return, along with backrower Felix Kalapu's to a 5-3 bench, leaves no room for Jamie Adamson in the game squad after playing at No. 7 last week.
Form and performance played a key role in other changes to the starting side, following a review of last week’s defeat to the ACT Brumbies in Canberra.
“It’s [about] performance,” McKellar said of the selection calls.
McKellar has promoted lock Miles Amatosero from the bench to the starting XV.
With Lee-Warner’s selection and that of Ben Grant on the bench, Hugh Sinclair misses out.
Tane Edmed's elevation from the bench to No. 10 jersey and Jack Bowen’s return to the bench along with Darby Lancaster after a five-try performance for Easts in the Shute Shield last weekend sees Lawson Creighton miss selection.
And Henry O’Donnell’s promotion from the bench to No. 13 means that there is no room on the 5-3 bench for Lalakai Foketi who will sit out the game.
Hooker Ethan Dobbins who started against the ACT Brumbies last week will also not play with Porecki’s return and Mahe Vailanu keeping his bench spot.
McKellar acknowledged the honest feedback process the team undertook in their Monday review following their 40-17 loss to the ACT Brumbies in Canberra last Saturday, noting the squad had responded with maturity and accountability.
“Review day was tough. They’ve got to be honest with each other,” McKellar said.
“I say to the players, it's never personal. It's about making individuals better and us better collectively as a team, and that's our job as coaches and as players.
“The boys' attitude's been excellent in and around that. No one's dragging their bottom lip.
“We've got to lick our wounds and take the feedback on board and put in a performance on Friday night in what is a huge game, one that we can be really proud of.”
- Loosehead Prop Angus Bell (Sydney University)
2. Hooker David Porecki (Manly)
3. Tighthead Prop Daniel Botha (Sydney University)
4. Left Lock Fergus Lee-Warner (Eastern Suburbs)
5. Right Lock Miles Amatosero (Eastern Suburbs)
6. Left Flanker Rob Leota (Eastern Suburbs)
7. Right Flanker Charlie Gambles (Eastern Suburbs)
8. Number Eight Langi Gleeson (Manly)
9. Scrumhalf Jake Gordon (C - Sydney University)
10. Flyhalf Tane Edmed (Eastwood)
11. Left Wing Triston Reilly (Randwick)
12. Inside Centre Joey Walton (Gordon)
13. Outside Centre Henry O'Donnell (Northern Suburbs)
14. Right Wing Andrew Kellaway (Eastern Suburbs)
15. Fullback Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (Eastwood)
16. Reserve Mahe Vailanu (Gordon)
17. Reserve Tom Lambert (Sydney University)
18. Reserve Taniela Tupou (West Harbour)
19. Reserve Ben Grant (Sydney University)
20. Reserve Felix Kalapu (Northern Suburbs)
21. Reserve Teddy Wilson (Eastern Suburbs)
22. Reserve Jack Bowen (Eastern Suburbs)
23. Reserve Darby Lancaster (Eastern Suburbs)
• Max Jorgensen (syndesmosis)
• Jimmy Hendren (broken wrist)
Where: Allianz Stadium, Moore Park, Sydney
When: Friday, 9 May, 2025
Kick-off: 7.35 pm (AEST)
HERE
For tickets to the game via Ticketek, click HERE
The game will be televised LIVE on Stan Sport - The Home of Rugby
