NSW Waratahs Head Coach Dan McKellar has named Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii among seven debutants for the side to play Round One of Super Rugby Pacific on Friday night.
The NSW Waratahs will open their 2025 Super Rugby Pacific campaign against the Highlanders at their home ground, Allianz Stadium in Moore Park, Sydney.
With Suaalii at fullback, representing the NSW Waratahs for the first time in Super Rugby Pacific are: prop Taniela Tupou, flanker Rob Leota, prop Siosifa Amone, second rower Ben Grant, English backrower Jamie Adamson and winger Darby Lancaster.
Suaalii was formerly with NRL side Sydney Roosters before returning to rugby which he played at school.
Tupou, Leota and Lancaster have joined the NSW Waratahs from the Melbourne Rebels.
Amone has come from the Western Force, Grant from the Hurricanes and Adamson from the ranks of Shute Shield rugby at Eastern Suburbs.
The team also includes twelve Wallabies, of who eleven are in the starting XV.
The twelve Wallabies with Suaalii, Tupou, Leota and Lancaster, are prop Angus Bell, hooker David Porecki, No 8. Langi Gleeson, scrumhalf and captain Jake Gordon, flyhalf Tane Edmed, outside centre Lalakai Foketi and wingers Max Jorgensen and Andrew Kellaway.
McKellar recognises Friday’s season kick-off is also the start of a new journey for the NSW Waratahs with a new-look playing, coaching and staffing groups.
The game is also McKellar's first in Super Rugby Pacific as their Head Coach.
“I spoke to the players about the fact we've got seven debutants [in the side], a head coach on debut, as well as a number of assistant coaches and staff,” McKellar said.
“It's an exciting time for the NSW Waratahs, as we embark on a new journey for the organization.”
McKellar said the entire playing group had lifted the bar on performance during the last three months of pre-season training at their base in Daceyville, Sydney.
McKellar said the team selected was: “probably the hardest one I had to pick.
“It was so competitive. We've got all but three players available for selection.
"A number have been with us the whole time. A number have been with us for three weeks.
“After all the work by the ‘S and C [Strength-Conditioning,] medical groups and other coaches, to have most players available for selection made it difficult.
“That's what you want. You want to have to make the tough decisions. And we're confident we've picked a team that's ready to perform well on Friday.”
Asked if the team selected for Friday has been tailor-made to play the Highlanders, or if it is a selection that represents a broader vision for the game, McKellar said: “A little of both. I think we'll just keep the team we think are the players who have earned the opportunity, and then you look closely at, ‘Does the makeup suit what's required to beat a good Highlanders side?
“It's off the back of training performance and trial performance. There's been tough decisions to leave out quality young men who are good rugby players.
”Hopefully the weather's kind [on Friday], we get a good turn up at Allianz Stadium, and put in a performance our supporters, families and friends can be proud of.”
- Loosehead Prop Angus Bell (Sydney University)
- Hooker David Porecki (Manly)
- Tighthead Prop Taniela Tupou (West Harbour)
- Left Lock Hugh Sinclair (Northern Suburbs)
- Right Lock Miles Amatosero (Eastern Suburbs)
- Left Flanker Rob Leota (Eastern Suburbs)
- Right Flanker Charlie Gamble (Eastern Suburbs)
- Number Eight Langi Gleeson (Manly)
- Scrumhalf Jake Gordon © (Sydney University)
- Flyhalf Tane Edmed (Eastwood)
- Left Wing Max Jorgensen (Randwick)
- Inside Centre Joey Walton (Gordon)
- Outside Centre Lalakai Foketi ((Manly)
- Right Wing Andrew Kellaway (Randwick)
- Fullback Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (---)
- Reserve Mahe Vailanu (Gordon)
- Reserve Tom Lambert (Sydney University)
- Reserve Siosifa Amone (Northern Suburbs)
- Reserve Ben Grant (Sydney University)
- Reserve Jamie Adamson (Eastern Suburbs)
- Reserve Jack Grant (Eastern Suburbs)
- Reserve Jack Bowen (Eastern Suburbs)
- Reserve Darby Lancaster (Eastern Suburbs)
Fergus Lee-Warner (foot) Jack Barrett (leg) Lucas Ripley (shoulder)
When: at 7.35 pm Friday, 14 February 2025
Where: Allianz Stadium, Moore Park
To purchase your tickets, click HERE
