The NSW Waratahs fought well for an enlightening 36-36 draw against the ACT Brumbies in Bowral today in their last trial game in preparation for Super Rugby Pacific 2025.
The team fared well despite a late withdrawal of Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii due to knee soreness. He did not travel to Bowral to focus on his recovery in Sydney.
However, Suaalii is expected to resume training on Wednesday after the NSW Waratahs return from a three-day bonding camp in Gloucester that starts tomorrow.
With Suaalii out, Max Jorgensen moved from left wing to his slot in fullback, while Darby Lancaster switched from the bench to the left wing.
NSW Waratahs Head Coach Dan McKellar expects Suaalii to be ready for Round 1 of Super Rugby Pacific against the Highlanders at Allianz Stadium, Moore Park in Sydney on 14 February.
Asked if there is any concern, McKellar said: No … it’s a minor issue. He just pulled up a little bit sore. It's a trial game, so we let him stay at home and ice up.
Pressed on the process to ensure Suaalii is ready for Super Rugby Pacific, McKellar said: “Rest, recovery, physio treatment, and we're hoping he will train Wednesday.
“He knew it wasn't worth risking [playing the game] … so you look at the bigger picture.”
While Suaalii was named at fullback for today, McKellar said a decision on what position he will play in round one of Super Rugby Pacific would be made after he resumes training.
“We'll see how he goes at training and nail down his position over the next couple of weeks,” McKellar said.
In Saturday’s game, the NSW Waratahs also lost captain Jake Gordon early in the first half due to a lower back issue.
But McKellar said there is also no concern about Gordon being ready for Super Rugby Pacific.
“[He] just jammed up his back, [It’s] nothing major. It’s all through his lower back, so that'll turn around quickly,” McKellar said.
As for the game, McKellar said the trial in which thirteen Wallabies were selected – including Suaalii and those who returned from Wallabies Spring tour commitments - was valuable for showing the strength in the NSW Waratahs game and those areas that still need working on.
The ACT Brumbies were the first to score when flanker Luke Reimer went over early for their first of six tries to put them 7-0 after flyhalf Declan Meredith converted.
But the NSW Waratahs responded quickly with Darby Lancaster scoring their first of six tries that saw the scores level at 7-7 with flyhalf Tane Edmed’s conversion.
The game became one of ‘cat and mouse’ ... with the NSW Waratahs scoring to only see the ACT Brumbies reply with another five-pointer. At half-time the NSW Waratahs led 21-19 and then 26-19 early in the second stanza.
But in the second half, as both sides used their bench players, the scores held tight, with the ACT Brumbies even taking the lead back in the 62nd minute with reserve scrumhalf Ryan Lonergan’s try that he converted.
With the score then showing the NSW Waratahs down 31-36, it took their reserve backrower Felix Kalapu’s try in the last minutes to draw it level to 36-36 where it remained.
“It was just good to get the hit out,” McKellar said.
“The reality is, most of the boys [in this team] have been playing with us for two weeks.
“We were always going to be a bit rusty, a little bit clunky, and you can see that.
"It’s taking some time to get some match fitness on board and [it will] be good to get through.
“The positive is that there's some transfer and it's nice for us to come out of injury-free.”
Asked what are the areas to work on based on today, McKellar said: “Defensively we were exposed quite easily at times.
"That'll be the tidy-up, then just a little bit of clunkiness in attack.
“But we looked and behaved like a team that was full of energy and effort, but a little bit clumpy for having only two weeks of preparation time together.”
McKellar said he would assess the performances of all his players over pre-season and the two trial games before firming his first Super Rugby Pacific side.
“There's been a lot of guys that have worked incredibly hard over the last few months who have put their hand up for selection,” he said.
McKellar had only praise for today's game as an event, and for the crowd of about 4,000 that attended and helped make it a veritable festival of community engagement.
“What a day. I was saying to ‘Palms’ [Dan Palmer, NSW Waratahs set piece coach], ‘This is what rugby union is all about … country rugby,’ McKellar said.
“I played for Queensland country and grew up in the country.
“People see two good teams with Wallabies here – a few not playing, but in the crowd, signing autographs, getting photos, inspiring the next generation of kids.
"It's just a great day."
Saturday, 1 February 2025
Darby Lancaster (2), Triston Reilly, Jack Grant, Felix Kalapu, Andrew Kellaway
Tane Edmed (3)
Liam Bowron, Luke Reimer, Ryan Lonergan, Ollie Sapsford, Austin Anderson, Declan Meredith
Declan Meredith (2), Ryan Lonergan
