NSW Waratahs head coach Dan McKellar has called for patience and belief as his team prepares to face competition leaders the Chiefs in Friday night's Round 9 Super Rugby Pacific clash at Allianz Stadium in Moore Park, Sydney.
Speaking after the NSW Waratahs’ 'Captain’s Run' at their training base in Daceyville, Sydney, McKellar expressed confidence in his side despite the set-back of back-to-back losses and recent injuries.
While recognising the challenge ahead against the Chiefs, he holds firm in his belief that his squad is building something special with the long term in mind.
“We’re aware of where we’re heading on this journey together as a group,” McKellar said.
“We knew there would be bumps along the road.
"As much as others like to talk about this being a superstar side, the reality is there’s not a whole lot of cohesion yet.
"We’re getting there slowly, and we want to see a strong response on Friday night.”
The NSW Waratahs have made a couple of tweaks to the team, one of them being Englishman Jamie Adamson coming into the starting side as right flanker for Charlie Gamble who was unavailable due to illness.
Another tweak is Joey Walton's return to the side as the starting inside centre, with Lalakai Foketi moving to outside centre for Henry O'Donnell who is on the bench.
“He’s been very good,” McKellar said of Adamson, a former England Sevens representative who joined the NSW Waratahs this season after impressing for Eastern Suburbs in last year's Shute Shield.
“Powerful, high work rate, and a real professional," McKellar added of Adamson.
"Unfortunately, Charlie (Gamble) is unwell and can’t get up for the game, but we’re really confident in what Jamie will bring.”
The NSW Waratahs will once again be without experienced two of their most Wallabies campaigners, scrumhalf Jake Gordon and hooker Dave Porecki.
McKellar confirmed that both were close to being available, but ultimately not fit enough to return for this week's fixture.
Looking to the Chiefs game, McKellar acknowledged the enormity of the task against a team sitting comfortably atop the table.
“They love turnover attack,” he said. “When it gets loose, it plays into their hands.
"They’ve got very good decision makers – Damian McKenzie, Shaun Stevenson, and others – who make the right call at the right time.
"If you’re loose and give them turnover ball, they’ll hurt you.
“But as always with New Zealand sides, it starts and stops up front.
"We’ve had some success against them in the past, and if you can match them physically, you give yourself a real chance.”
Reflecting on last week’s poor final 25 minutes in their 45-28 loss to Moana Pasifika at North Harbour Stadium in Auckland, McKellar identified poor ball security and set-piece turnovers as key factors.
“For 55 minutes we were excellent,” McKellar said.
“But we got loose. When you turn the ball over and big men are running at you, it’s like a tsunami of pressure.
"How you attack impacts how you defend – that was the lesson.”
McKellar also addressed discipline concerns after Wallabies tighthead prop Taniela Tupou was pinged for swearing at the referee and missing a key tackle.
“Nella was hugely apologetic,” McKellar said.
“He’s frustrated but he gets another chance off the bench this week. We always have regular catch-ups with him and he’s learning.”
Friday night will be a special occasion for another Wallabies prop, loosehead Angus Bell, who will bring up his 50th Cap for the NSW Waratahs in the game.
McKellar spoke warmly of the young prop’s progress as a NSW Waratahs and Wallabies representative.
“Belly loves New South Wales, loves the Waratahs,” McKellar said.
“For him to debut at 18 at loosehead and for the Wallabies soon after shows he’s a rare talent.
"He’s been consistently good this year, really starting to find his voice as a leader.
"If he gets a bit of luck, he can see him play 150 games for the Tahs and 100 Tests for Australia.”
While speculation continues about the next Wallabies coach with incumbent Joe Schmidt set to leave after the Rugby Championship, McKellar was again quick to shut down any suggestion that he was a candidate for the position.
“I’m not in the mix for the Wallabies gig,” he said firmly.
“I came back to help rugby in this country by helping New South Wales and the Waratahs.
"I’m loving the challenge, loving the players and staff.
"We’ve got a tremendous facility and I’m enjoying life in Sydney.
"That’s my job, and I’ve signed here for three years.”
Asked whether a dual role between Super Rugby and the Wallabies – similar to Michael Cheika’s setup in 2015 – was feasible today, McKellar admitted it would be a massive task but not impossible.
“If it’s a short-term thing, I think it can be done, but it’s a big ask," he said.
"When I was at the Brumbies and assisting the Wallabies, it was a massive workload.
"Being head coach of both would take it up another gear again.”
Where: Allianz Stadium, Moore Park, Sydney
When: Friday, 11 April, 2025
Kick-off: 7.35 pm
For tickets to the game via Ticketek, click HERE
The game will be televised LIVE on Stan Sport - The Home of Rugby
