NSW Waratahs Lock Ben Grant Forecasts Turnaround Ahead of Moana Pasifika Clash

NSW Waratahs lock Ben Grant has provided insight into the team’s way forward in this year’s Super Rugby Pacific competition in the aftermath of their heavy 57-12 loss to the Hurricanes in Wellington on Friday night.

The defeat, following an impressive Round 6 win at home over the ACT Brumbies, has sparked urgent reflection within the NSW Waratahs who play Moana Pasifika in Round 8 at North Harbour Stadium in Auckland on Saturday.

Adding to the NSW Waratahs’ woes, young star, Max Jorgensen, who started last Friday’s game at fullback, has been ruled out with a syndesmosis injury.

NSW Waratahs Head Coach Dan McKellar confirmed that Jorgensen will undergo surgery on Friday and is expected to be out for “six to eight weeks”.

Reflecting on the heavy defeat, Grant acknowledged the team’s disappointment, particularly given their strong start to the season.

“Body’s sore, but I think the heart’s a little bit sorer,” Grant admitted.

“We strung together a performance we were proud of last week against the Brumbies, and then to have a short turnaround and put in a display like that – it’s disappointing for everyone, not just the players but the coaching staff and our supporters as well.”

Monday’s team review session, led by McKellar, was described as direct and uncompromising, with a strong focus on the physicality – or lack thereof – in Wellington.

“Dan didn’t sugarcoat it,” Grant said.

“We highlighted a lot around the physical contest, our system breakdowns, and some poor decision-making.

"The good thing is that the players took it on board, and the coaches have introduced fixes we need to act on immediately.”

Grant said McKellar was candid about the team’s failure to win the collisions, something the NSW Waratahs pride themselves on.

“That’s our bread and butter,” Grant acknowledged.

“We know we’ve got the players to do it, but against a big, strong New Zealand pack, we just didn’t front up.”

The NSW Waratahs’ two losses this season – against the Queensland Reds in Round 5 and now the Hurricanes – have been away, in contrast to their unbeaten home record at Allianz Stadium in Moore Park, Sydney.

But Grant dismissed the idea that travel played a role in their struggles.

“I don’t think it’s about travel. We prepare well, we have time to acclimatise,” he said.

“It’s a mindset thing, maybe a systems thing, but definitely not travel,” he said.

One of the most frustrating aspects of the loss was how quickly things unravelled despite a promising start.

“For 35 minutes, we were 10-7 up,” said Grant, who watched the game three times.

“Then we conceded a soft penalty, they kicked to the corner, went through some phases, and scored.

“Right after, we had an HIA, and they scored again. Suddenly, we’re down 24-7 at halftime.

“That’s the difference against these Kiwi teams – you switch off for a few moments, and they punish you.”

The NSW Waratahs have had significant injury setbacks, including that of captain and scrumhalf Jake Gordon. Jorgensen’s absence will test squad depth further.

“Max has been enormous for us, and it’s cruel timing because he was hitting some of the best form of his career,” Grant said.

“But we’ve got a ‘next man up’ mentality. We saw young guys step up on the weekend, and I’m sure whoever fills his jersey will do the team proud.”

As for leadership, Grant insisted that the absence of key figures wasn’t an excuse.

“We’ve got plenty of leaders. Joey (Walton) stepped up well when he had to captain, and guys like Rod Leota and Lawson Creighton have the experience to guide us,” he said.

“It’s more about lapses in concentration and winning the physical battle.”

Grant has committed himself to reviewing and refining his own game.

“I watched the match three times over the weekend, just trying to figure out what went wrong individually, in the forwards, and as a team,” he said.

“We had a tough but fair review, and now it’s about parking it and moving on.

“The best thing about rugby is you get another crack the next weekend.”

With a critical away clash against Moana Pasifika on Saturday at North Harbour Stadium in Auckland looming, Grant has set clear goals for himself and the forward pack.

“As a lineout leader, I need to tidy that up. There were moments against the Hurricanes where we had momentum, but we couldn’t execute our set piece, Grant said.

“And then, as a second-rower, I have to love the physical contest. We all do. Moana is a big, athletic team, and if we give them an inch, they’ll take a mile.”

Under McKellar, the NSW Waratahs are being held to high standards, says Grant.

“He’s direct and clear – there’s no fluff,” Grant said.

“He points out what’s going wrong, but he also reinforces what we do well and how we can get back to our strengths. That accountability is what good teams need.”

With the NSW Waratahs looking to bounce back quickly, Grant remains confident in their ability to turn things around.

“Last week hurt. We don’t want to feel that again,” Grant said.

“But we’re not brushing it aside – we’re taking the lessons and using them to drive our standards higher. The challenge is clear, and we’re up for it.”

When: at 12.05 pm (AEDT) Saturday 8 April 2025

Where: North Harbour Stadium, Auckland New Zealand

The game will be televised LIVE on Stan Sport - The Home of Rugby