The NSW Waratahs are preparing for an up front physical encounter in their Super Rugby Pacific Round 4 local derby fixture against the Western Force at Allianz Stadium in Moore Park, Sydney on Saturday night.
With both teams looking to solidify themselves in the competition, NSW Waratahs Head Coach Dan McKellar and lock Hugh Sinclair shared their insights after training at Daceyville today.
McKellar has made strategic to his side, giving flyhalf Lawson Creighton his first start for the NSW Waratahs Super Rugby start since joining from the Queensland Reds this year.
“He’s really calm, and composed, and he has a good understanding of how we want to play,” McKellar said.
“He worked hard to get himself fit after arriving with an injury, and he played well in the ‘A’ game against the Brumbies Runners. Now, he gets his opportunity to start.”
While Creighton steps in at Number 10, McKellar emphasized that the decision was not a reflection on regular fly-half Tane Edmed’s performance.
He said it was part of a broader strategy to determine the team’s best attacking structure.
“We’re still working out our best team and how we unlock our attack,” McKellar noted.
“Tane is a competitor, and of course, he’s disappointed, but he has a key role to play off the bench this week.”
Another key selection sees Ben Grant making his starting debut. He replaces Miles Amatosero who was unavailable for selection due to a back injury.
Grant, who joined the NSW Waratahs this year from the Hurricanes, brings his height and set-piece prowess into the forward pack; especially in the lineouts.
“Ben’s a good lineout operator, brings strong physicality, and deserves his opportunity,” McKellar said.
The NSW Waratahs’ forwards will have a big job nullifying the Western Force’s powerful pack.
McKellar specifically highlighted the threat of Western Force lock Jeremy Williams and their breakdown enforcer Carlo Tizzano.
“They’re a very good side with a strong recruitment strategy,” McKellar said.
“They’ve had two good wins and probably should be three from three.
“They’ve got a number of guys we know well, so we’ll need to be sharp.”
Hugh Sinclair echoed his coach’s sentiments, emphasizing the NSW Waratahs’ need to be dominant in the physical contest.
“The Force have been really effective at the breakdown, and their forward pack is solid,” Sinclair said.
“It’s going to be a good up-front battle, and we’ll need to be at our best for the full eighty minutes.”
Sinclair also spoke about his second row partner Grant whose start comes after two games on the bench.
“He’s a guru around the lineout,” Sinclair said.
“At over two meters tall, he brings a lot of energy and communication, and I’m looking forward to running alongside him.”
Reflecting on last week’s match against the Fijian Drua, Sinclair admitted the NSW Waratahs need to lift their game, particularly in set-piece consistency and physicality.
“We were strong in the scrum early on, but we dropped off in the second half. We need to be consistent for 80 minutes,” he stated.
“The Force play a high ball-in-play game, so we’ll need to be prepared for a fast-paced contest.”
With the Western Force coming into the match in solid form, the NSW Waratahs understand the importance of executing their game plan effectively.
“We created opportunities last week that we didn’t take, and that’s something we need to fix,” McKellar said.
“It’s about seeing what’s in front of us and backing our instincts.”
- Loosehead Prop Angus Bell (Sydney University)
- Hooker David Porecki (Manly)
- Tighthead Prop Taniela Tupou (West Harbour)
- Left Lock Hugh Sinclair (Northern Suburbs)
- Right Lock Ben Grant (Sydney University
- Left Flanker Rob Leota (Eastern Suburbs)
- Right Flanker Charlie Gamble (Eastern Suburbs)
- Number Eight Langi Gleeson (Manly)
- Scrumhalf Jake Gordon © (Sydney University)
- Flyhalf Lawson Creighton (Randwick)*
- Left Wing Darby Lancaster (Eastern Suburbs)
- Inside Centre Joey Walton (Gordon)
- Outside Centre Henry O'Donnell (Northern Suburbs)
- Right Wing Max Jorgensen (Randwick)
- Fullback Andrew Kellaway (Randwick)
Replacements
16. Reserve Mahe Vailanu (Gordon)
17. Reserve Tom Lambert (Sydney University)
18. Reserve Siosifa Amone (Northern Suburbs)
19. Reserve Felix Kalapu (Northern Suburbs)*
20. Reserve Leafi Talataina (Sydney University)*
21. Reserve Jack Grant (Eastern Suburbs)
22. Reserve Tane Edmed (Eastwood)
23. Reserve Triston Reilly (Randwick)
*Denotes NSW Waratahs debut
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (toe)
Lalakai Foketi (groin)
Miles Amatosero (back)
Fergus Lee-Warner (foot)
Lucas Ripley (shoulder)
NSW Waratahs v the Western Force
When: at 7.35 pm Saturday 8 March 2025
Where: Allianz Stadium, Moore Park
To purchase your tickets, click HERE
The game will be televised LIVE on 9Gem and Stan Sport - The Home of Rugby
