NSW Waratahs Head Coach Dan McKellar has named a bolstered side for Saturday night’s blockbuster Super Rugby Pacific Round 12 derby against the ACT Brumbies, with captain Jake Gordon making his return from injury.
Gordon’s return as captain for the game at GIO Stadium in Canberra is one of several key changes to the matchday squad.
Wallabies Angus Bell, Rob Leota, and Taniela Tupou all return after sitting out the Round 10 clash against the Fijian Drua under rest protocols for Wallabies.
Wallabies backrower Langi Gleeson also returns to the starting XV at No. 8, having played from the bench in the last match.
McKellar labeled Gordon’s return from a medial ligament injury sustained in Round 4 against the Western Force, as a major lift for the team.
“It’s a big boost for the group to get our captain and leader back, especially in a big game like this,” McKellar said.
“He’s a steady hand, and his presence gives the team confidence.”
Gordon returned to rugby last Saturday via a 40-minute stint with Sydney University in the Shute Shield.
McKellar said Gordon had responded well to the game and showed he is ready to step back into the Super Rugby Pacific cauldron.
“He got 40 minutes under his belt for Sydney Uni last weekend and performed well,” McKellar explained.
“He’s had a solid couple of training weeks. So, he’s ready to go.”
During his recovery, Gordon also remained engaged off the field, participating in leadership and unit meetings, which should help make for a seamless return.
“I think so. Jake is the sort of person who will go about making sure that he has his job in order, or his role executed well.
"It’s a priority for him, and leadership will come off the back of that.”
Gordon’s return sees Teddy Wilson named on a 5-3 bench after starting six straight matches.
McKellar praised his development and suggested his new role would only strengthen the squad’s depth.
“Teddy has started six games in a row. For a young player, that is a lot,” McKellar said.
“It’s a heavy workload and he has played big minutes within that.
“This week his role will be to come off the bench and continue to perform at the level at which he has performed.
“He’s worked hard on his core skills, and he’s a player who is getting better from the work he is putting in at the background.
“It will be a good one-two punch with Jake and Teddy this week.”
Also welcomed is the return of three high-profile Wallabies in loosehead prop Angus Bell, blindside flanker Rob Leota, and tighthead prop Taniela Tupou.
Bell and Leota will start, while Tupou is once again set to come off the bench for Daniel Botha who will again start and provide impact in the second half.
“All three have benefited from the Wallaby rest guidelines,” McKellar noted.
“They’ve freshened up and they’ve been bouncing around the building this week.
“They’re keen and excited to get back on the field and contribute.”
Langi Gleeson’s return to No.8 completes the NSW Waratahs refreshed forward pack.
Gleeson started in the opening rounds but played from the bench against the Drua.
His power and dynamism will add plenty of punch to the NSW Waratahs start.
Reflecting on the team’s Round 10 loss to the Fijian Drua in Suva that was followed by a Round 11 bye, McKellar said lessons had been taken on board.
“Unfortunately, as human beings, you have an ‘off’ day; and if you have multiple ‘off’ days it is hard to win, especially at this level.
“We didn’t dwell too much on the individual actions or involvements around the game.
“We reviewed it around how we can be better from what we had learned from it as a group.
“And consistency about our daily habits and consistency of our performance is something we’re working hard on.”
- Loosehead Prop Angus Bell (Sydney University)
2. Hooker Ethan Dobbins (Sydney University)
3. Tighthead Prop Daniel Botha (Sydney University)
4. Left Lock Hugh Sinclair (C) (Northern Suburbs)
5. Right Lock Ben Grant (Sydney University)
6. Left Flanker Rob Leota (Eastern Suburbs)
7. Right Flanker Jamie Adamson (Eastern Suburbs)
8. Number Eight Langi Gleeson (Manly)
9. Scrumhalf Jake Gordon (C - Sydney University)
10. Flyhalf Lawson Creighton (Randwick)
11. Left Wing Triston Reilly (Randwick)
12. Inside Centre Joey Walton (Gordon)
13. Outside Centre Lalakai Foketi (Manly)
14. Right Wing Andrew Kellaway (Eastern Suburbs)
15. Fullback Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (Eastwood)
Replacements
16. Reserve Mahe Vailanu (Gordon)
17. Reserve Tom Lambert (Sydney University)
18. Reserve Taniela Tupou (West Harbour)
19. Reserve Miles Amatosero (Eastern Suburbs)
20. Reserve Leafi Talataina (Sydney University)
21. Reserve Teddy Wilson (Eastern Suburbs)
22. Reserve Tane Edmed (Eastwood)
23. Reserve Henry O'Donnell (Northern Suburbs)
Max Jorgensen (syndesmosis)
Dave Porecki (calf)
Charlie Gamble (calf)
Jimmy Hendren (broken wrist)
What: NSW Waratahs v the ACT Brumbies
Where: GIO Stadium, Canberra
When: Saturday, 3 May, 2025
Kick-off: 7.35 pm (AEST)
The game will be televised LIVE on Stan Sport - The Home of Rugby
