NSW Waratahs Head Coach Dan McKellar has named Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii among thirteen Wallabies in a twenty-seven-strong team to play the ACT Brumbies on Saturday in their last trial match at Eridge Park in Bowral.
Ten of the starting XV selected by McKellar are Wallabies, and seven of them have returned from Wallabies Spring tour duties, including Suaalii who has been named as fullback for what will be his NSW Waratahs debut.
The Wallabies in the starting side with Suaalii are prop Angus Bell, hooker David Porecki, flanker Rob Leota, number eight Langi Gleeson, scrumhalf and captain Jake Gordon, flyhalf Tane Edmed, wingers Max Jorgensen and Andrew Kellaway and outside centre Lalakai Foketi.
The three Wallabies who were named to play from the bench are props Isaac Kailea and Taniela Tupou and winger Darby Lancaster.
As strong as the team is on paper, McKellar said selection for Saturday’s trial was again focused on providing as many of his squad as possible with game time before picking his first side for Super Rugby Pacific 2025 that starts on 14 February.
For Round 1 of Super Rugby Pacific, the NSW Waratahs will host the Highlanders at Allianz Stadium in Moore Park, Sydney on Friday, 14 February.
“The trial games are an opportunity to give people game time across the board,” McKellar said.
“There's a lot, lot of players here who have worked incredibly hard over recent months. They got a good opportunity last week against NSW Pasifica.
“Then there's the players who have returned [from Wallabies commitments] over the last few weeks. They'll get an opportunity this week.
“And that's what it comes down to … a chance for everyone to put their best foot forward for selection for 14 February.
“That's the approach we have for these two trial games, as well as considering training performance.
“Myself and the [assistant] coaches will then have a discussion about what we think is the best twenty-three to start the season.”
On Suaalii, for whom Saturday will mark his NSW Waratahs debut, McKellar said: “There's so much training you can do, but now it is about him putting into practice in a match situation what he's worked hard on ... building cohesion.
“Thankfully, he was involved in the Wallabies tour and a number of the other players around him were too … your Jake Gordons, Kellaways, Jorgensens … these players. You know he's familiar with them now, and he's quickly building a nice combination with guys like Lalakai [Foketi] and Joe Walton as well. “
- Loodhead Prop Angus Bell
2. Hooker David Porecki
3. Tighthead Prop Daniel Botha
4. Left Lock Ben Grant
5. Right Lock Miles Amatosero
6. Left Flanker Rob Leota
7. Right Flanker Charlie Gamble
8. Number Eight Langi Gleeson
9. Scrumhalf Jake Gordon (C)
10. Flyhalf Tane Edmed
11. Left Wing Max Jorgensen
12. Inside Centre Joey Walton
13. Outside Centre Lalakai Foket
14. Right Wing Andrew Kellaway
15. Fullback Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
16. Reserve Julian Heavan
17. Reserve Isaac Kailea
18. Reserve Felix Kalipu
19. Reserve Hugh Sinclair
20. Reserve Jamie Adamson
21. Reserve Triston Reilly
22. Reserve Lawson Creighton
23. Reserve Darby Lancaster
24. Reserve Jack Grant
25. Reserve Henry O'Donnell
26. Reserve Leafi Talataina
27. Reserve
28. Reserve Taniela Tupou
When: at 3 pm Saturday, 1 February 2025
Where: Eridge Oval, Bowral
Saturday’s trial is a ticketed event for the public. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1327371
Please Note: Parking at the ground is very limited and all parking must be pre-purchased online. Parking passes are available at https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1327371"
The game will be broadcast live and free on NSW Rugby TV https://www.nswrugbytv.com.au/
