NSW Waratahs Head Coach Dan McKellar has named his side for their Round 14 Super Rugby Pacific game against the Crusaders at Allianz Stadium, citing consistency and execution as key for their final home game of the season.
With minimal changes to the match day 23, the selection centres largely around the absence of Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii due to concussion and a fractured jaw in last Friday’s 21-28 Round 13 home loss to the Queensland Reds.
Suaalii’s absence allows for Andrew Kellaway to move back to fullback and Derby Lancaster’s return to the starting side on the left wing.
“Minimal change … Obviously, is Darby is in and Kells goes back to fullback,” McKellar said. “But we’ve generally gone for consistency in selection.
Also returning to the team, but on the bench, is forward Hugh Sinclair who offers experience and versatility and Lalakai Foketi as one of three backs.
The game is also a “home farewell’ for six players - Sinclair, Rob Leota, Langi Gleeson and Mahe Vailanu from the 23, plus Julian Heaven and Felix Kalapu.
“It's important that our departing players are farewelled with the performance they deserve to go out on,” McKellar said.
McKellar paid tribute to Sinclair who debuted for the NSW Waratahs in 2019 and has captained the side regularly.
Sinclair is not only a senior figure in the NSW Waratahs squad but also a valued member of the leadership group.
“I’ve really enjoyed working with ‘Sincs’. He’s someone who genuinely cares about this team, the Waratahs, and doing things the right way,” McKellar said.
“Players like him are so important to any team or organisation.”
The game will also be a milestone for two NSW Waratahs – flyhalf Tane Edmed who will play his 50th for the NSW Waratahs, and lock Fergus Lee-Warner, who will play his 50th in Super Rugby (including 36 with the Western Force).
Upon naming his side for Friday night, McKellar also took time to reflect on the team’s performance in last week’s 21-28 loss at home to the Queensland Reds.
He identified positives as well as the areas requiring improvement.
“There were a lot of things we did well last week. I thought our work around the collision was excellent, especially in defence,” he noted.
“But we spent too much time defending. That came down to our inability to execute and get our lineout functioning to the level it was early in the year.
“Off the back of that, we can build momentum and pressure with the ball in hand.”
The NSW Waratahs, eighth on the Super Rugby Pacific table, aim to finish their home campaign on a high after five wins from six games at Allianz Stadium.
They still have plenty to play for competition-wise with three rounds remaining as they push towards a top-six finish and a prized place in the finals.
- Loosehead Prop Angus Bell (Sydney University)
2. Hooker David Porecki (Manly)
3. Tighthead Prop Daniel Botha (Sydney University)
4. Left Lock Fergus Lee-Warner (Eastern Suburbs)*
5. Right Lock Miles Amatosero (Eastern Suburbs)
6. Left Flanker Rob Leota (Eastern Suburbs)
7. Right Flanker Charlie Gamble (Eastern Suburbs)
8. Number Eight Langi Gleeson (Manly)
9. Scrumhalf Jake Gordon (C - Sydney University)
10. Flyhalf Tane Edmed (Eastwood)**
11. Left Wing Darby Lancaster (Eastern Suburbs)
12. Inside Centre Joey Walton (Gordon)
13. Outside Centre Henry O'Donnell (Northern Suburbs)
14. Right Wing Triston Reilly (Randwick)
15. Fullback Andrew Kellaway (Randwick)
16. Reserve Mahe Vailanu (Gordon)
17. Reserve Tom Lambert (Sydney University)
18. Reserve Taniela Tupou (West Harbour)
19. Reserve Ben Grant (Sydney University)
20. Reserve Hugh Sinclair (Northern Suburbs)
21. Reserve Teddy Wilson (Eastern Suburbs)
22. Reserve Jack Bowen (Eastern Suburbs)
23. Reserve Lalakai Foketi (Manly)
*Denotes 50th Super Rugby game
** Denotes 50th game for NSW Waratahs
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (concussion/fractured jaw)
Max Jorgensen (syndesmosis)
Jimmy Hendren (broken wrist)
Where: Allianz Stadium, Moore Park, Sydney
When: Friday, 16 May, 2025
Kick-off: 7.35 pm (AEST)
For tickets to the game via Ticketek, click HERE
The game will be televised LIVE on Stan Sport - The Home of Rugby
