The NSW Waratahs are gearing up for a pivotal home derby against the ACT Brumbies in Round 6 of the Super Rugby Pacific, determined to respond strongly after last weekend’s disappointing loss to the Queensland Reds.
As they prepare to face their long-time rivals at Allianz Stadium in Moore Park, Sydney, NSW Waratahs Set Piece Coach Dan Palmer and openside flanker Charlie Gamble shared their insights on how the team is tracking.
Having spent time with both the NSW Waratahs and ACT Brumbies, Palmer understands the significance of this Australian derby.
“It’s a massive game for both teams,” Palmer said.
“I know how important it is for both the Brumbies and the Waratahs. We’re preparing as best we can to put in a strong performance.”
Reflecting on their 35-15 defeat to the Queensland Reds at Suncorp Stadium Brisbane last Saturday, Palmer acknowledged areas that needed improvement, especially after fullback’s Andrew Kellaway’s yellow card in the 15th minute.
“Our first 20 minutes were strong, but under fatigue and pressure, we drifted away from our systems,” Palmer said.
“That’s the key for us — to sustain our execution for the full 80 minutes, not just in patches.”
One area of concern was the NSW Waratahs’ inability to defend against the Queensland Reds’ rolling maul in the 32nd minute that saw them scoring a try.
Palmer made it clear that their lapse in that moment was unacceptable.
“We were slow, lazy, and didn’t get our roles right,” Palmer said.
“We addressed it head-on in training, and I expect a far better response this weekend.”
Gamble, who is set to earn his 50th cap for the NSW Waratahs on Saturday, echoed Palmer’s sentiments.
“We reviewed the Reds game, and there were some hard truths,” he said.
“That rolling maul try was a wake-up call for us as a forward pack.
“We’ve drilled it hard this week, and we won’t let that happen again.”
The ACT Brumbies, traditionally one of the strongest teams in Australian rugby, have a well-structured, disciplined game plan and are formidable opponents.
Palmer emphasized that the NSW Waratahs know exactly what to expect.
“The Brumbies are built on a strong set-piece, structured play, and breakdown dominance,” he said.
“They’ve had a core group together for a long time, and their fundamentals are excellent.
“We know what’s coming — it’s about how well we prepare for it and how we impose our own game.”
Gamble, who will be facing off against one of the strongest back rows in the competition, relishes the challenge.
“They’re a physical team with Wallabies across the park, but we back our game,” he said.
“They don’t get bored with what they do well, so we need to be relentless in our execution.”
Despite the ACT Brumbies’ recent dominance over the NSW Waratahs, Gamble believes this is the perfect time to face them.
“After a disappointing loss, you want to respond immediately, and there’s no better team to test yourself against than the Brumbies,” Gamble said.
“We’ve been building in key areas, and it’s about making sure we sustain that effort for the whole game.”
Palmer stressed that the coaching staff has been working to ensure the team remains composed but hungry.
“We don’t need fire and brimstone early in the week, but we will be up for this one.
“The key is bringing controlled aggression and executing our plan.”
For Gamble, reaching his 50th Cap will be a moment of immense pride.
“It’s pretty special,” he admitted.
“I signed with the Waratahs in 2020, but it took me nearly two years to debut.
“Now, to be playing my 50th game against the Brumbies, the team I made my debut against, is a full-circle moment. I love this club, and I want to do it proud.”
When: Saturday 22 March, 2025
Where: At Allianz Stadium, Moore Park, Sydney
Kick-off: 7.35 pm (AEDT)
To purchase your tickets, click HERE
The game will be televised LIVE on 9Gem and Stan Sport - The Home of Rugby
