For the NSW Waratahs that may mean a weekend off as they are on a Bye Round – although, the NSW Waratahs 'A's do play the Brumbies Runners in Canberra on Saturday (See team list below.)
It is also only a weekend without a Super Rugby Pacific Game and 'R&R' is the least of items on their weekend agenda after taking a short break following their victory against the Highlanders.
The NSW Waratahs resumed full training this week They will also train on Sunday for their Round 3 clash against the Fijian Drua at Allianz Stadium in Moore Park, Sydney next Friday night.
And as McKellar conceded after training on Thursday, every session counts as there is much to work on from their come-from-behind 37-36 win against the Highlanders.
“Obviously, it wasn't pretty at times, but I am really pleased with the belief in the group in that last five or six minutes,” McKellar told the media at Daceyville on Thursday.
“They were certainly a bit nervy, a little bit on edge going into the game. Off the back of previous seasons, it’s nice to park that game.
"We had a really good review of it yesterday in terms of our performance, both sides of the ball. We will be a better team forward.”
McKellar rejected the notion that having a Bye Round so early into the competition was a problem.
He said the bye served good purpose: “Anytime you get an opportunity, to let them get away and spend a bit of time with family and get some balance in their lives.
“Whilst we haven't played a whole lot of games, we've trained hard. We gave them Monday and Tuesday off [after the weekend, following Friday’s game.]
“We trained really hard yesterday and had another physical session this morning.
“And we've got a fair chunk of contracted players and Academy players who will go to Canberra on Saturday to play against the Brumbies Runners.”
Reflecting on the Highlanders game, McKellar was asked about the performance of fullback Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii who was rested from on-field training today.
On Suaalii's absence from the session, McKellar said: “All good. Sometimes you’ve got to put the Ferraris in the garage.”
Pressed on Suaalii’s future in the fullback position, McKellar added: “I said in here a few weeks ago that I don't want to be picking him in one position one week and another the next week.
"That's not fair on him. At the moment he played 15 against the Highlanders. I can't imagine him playing too many other different positions over the next few weeks.”
On tighthead prop Siosifa Amone who lost 25kg in pre-season training, was one of seven NSW Waratahs Super Rugby Pacific debutants, and scored two late tries (including the match winner in the last minute,) McKellar said: “Other than being really happy for him, [I was] really happy for him before the game in terms of earning selection, and because everyone's seen the work that he's put in.
“We just have to keep Sifa grounded as he will be. He's a humble young man and won't get too far ahead of himself. We'll keep challenging him, making sure we get the best out of him every day.
"If we do that, we'll slowly develop a really good young tighthead prop.”
McKellar also had praise for English backrower, Jamie Adamson who came on from the bench late to make his Super Rugby Pacific debut.
Adamson, a former 7s representative with Great Britain, earned his contract with the NSW Waratahs after impressing McKellar while playing for last year’s Shute Shield champions, Easts.
After Adamson returned to England following the Shute Shield, McKellar called him to invite back to Sydney to train in the off-season with the NSW Waratahs.
Adamson impressed McKellar so much in pre-season, he offered him a contract.
“I've given a lot of players that chance over the years. When they turn up fit and hungry ... it's nice to want to be a professional rugby player, but are you professional?
“He's certainly all of that. Obviously, he's been involved with Great Britain Sevens but as an amateur player, where you got to do a lot of the work behind the scenes on your own.
"He's clearly done that and had that self-discipline. That was something I liked.
“That he backs it up as a good person made him an easy fit for the group.”
McKellar also recognised the support of a 16,000-plus crowd at Allianz Stadium last Friday night.
Asked what is the key to increasing that number, he said: “Winning helps, obviously; but being engaged with your community and making sure they feel a part of it. We’ve got to be visible.
"We're going to be out and about with the work we do through the week, [with the] clubs, schools, and engaging with coaches.
“All those things make a huge difference. The work that the guys do here in the social media space, making sure we get plenty of content out there. And then people might feel they know the Waratahs.
"You build some momentum through jagging a couple of results, then all of a sudden that sixteen thousand can become seventeen or eighteen thousand.
"My vision here is of playing in front of thirty to thirty-four thousand.
"I said that to the players early on. We’ve got some work to do before that'll happen.”
Where: ACT Brumbies HQ in University Drive, Bruce, ACT
When: Saturday, 22 February
Kick-off: 2pm
- Loosehead: Prop Isaac Kailea (Randwick)
2. Hooker: Julian Heaven (Eastern Suburbs)
3. Tighthead Prop: Brad Amituanai (Sydney University)
4. Left Lock: Felix Kalapu (Northern Suburbs)
5. Right Lock: Ale Aho (West Harbour)
6. Left Flanker: Leafi Talataina (Sydney University)
7. Right Flanker: Clem Halaholo (Sydney University)
8. Number Eight: Mesu Kunavula (West Harbour)
9. Scrumhalf: Teddy Wilson (Eastern Suburbs)
10. Flyhalf: Lawson Creighton © (Randwick)
11. Left Wing: Archie Saunders (Warringah)
12. Inside Centre: Jackson Ropata (Southern Districts)
13. Outside Centre: Liam Grover (Sydney University)
14. Right Wing: Triston Reilly (Randwick)
15. Fullback: James Hendren (Randwick)
16. Reserve: Ethan Dobbins (Sydney University)
17. Reserve: Adrian Brown (Warringah)
18. Reserve: Edwin Langi (Eastern Suburbs)
19. Reserve: Eamon Doyle (Sydney University)
20. Reserve: Toby Brial (Eastern Suburbs)
21. Reserve: Zach Fittler (Eastern Suburbs)
22. Reserve: Hwi Sharples (Sydney University)
23. Reserve: Joey Fowler (Sydney University)
24. Reserve: Brendan Palmer (Hunter Wildfires)
25. Reserve: Austin Durbidge (Sydney University)
