The NSW Waratahs have made several changes to the playing squad for their Round 10 Super Rugby Pacific clash against the Fijian Drua on Saturday.
Three changes are due to the national rotation policy for Wallabies with loosehead prop Angus Bell, backrower Rob Leota and tighthead prop Taniela Tupou who all played in the win against the Chiefs last Friday being spelled.
Bell and Leota were in the starting XV last week. Tupou played off the bench.
Bell and Leota’s absence are two of three personnel changes to the NSW Waratahs starting XV to play the Drua at Churchill Park in Lautoka, Fiji.
The third player change is that of backrower Leafi Talataina who has been promoted to No. 8 for Langi Gleeson who will provide impact from the bench.
The Wallabies' rotation sees several other positional tweaks to the team.
Prop Isaac Kailea, who played off the bench against the Chiefs last week, will now make his debut in the starting XV as loosehead for Bell alongside hooker Ethan Dobbins and tighthead prop Daniel Botha who both started last week.
Jamie Adamson has shifted from No. 7 to No. 6 for Leota, allowing for Charlie Gamble, who was sidelined by illness last week, to return to the No. 7 slot.
Tupou’s rotation out and Kailea’s move to the starting XV, has also seen the return of props Tom Lambert and Siosifa Amone to the 23 squad as reserves.
Another return to the 5-3 bench is that of flyhalf Tane Edmed for Jack Bowen.
“With the management of Wallaby players of national interest, Bell, Leota and Tupou rotate out this week,” McKellar explained on Wednesday.
“Bell and Leota have had heavy workloads, but that provides more opportunity for Isaac Kailea, Tom Lambert, Leafi Talataina, Dan Botha and Siosifa Amone.
“From my end, this doesn’t weaken our team at all. It provides opportunity, excitement and real enthusiasm ... and I know those boys will provide it.”
McKellar also pointed to the growing depth within the squad, a silver lining to the season’s injuries and player rotations that are required.
“Through injuries and other selection shifts, you expose other players and - as we have already found this season - you find that they are ready to play at this level, and that strengthens the depth of the group,” McKellar said.
The NSW Waratahs are eyeing Saturday’s Round 10 clash against the Drua as pivotal in their season that will then head into a Round 11 bye week.
McKellar said the selection reflects the need to match the unique challenges posed by the Drua, and commitment to the NSW Waratahs’ playing identity.
“It’s both,” McKellar said. “This is an important game for us leading into the bye week, and freshening up the group with selection was part of that.
“We are also going to a great rugby nation, an environment where they will respect and support the Drua.
"But one thing we all love about the Fijians is that they respect good rugby and good rugby in teams [they play against]. We are excited about showing that.”
McKellar acknowledged that the Drua are a formidable force at home in Fiji, playing with passion and unpredictability in front of a rugby-loving Fijian crowd.
“The Drua at home – as we have proven ourselves [in Sydney this season with an undefeated home record] - are a completely different team,” McKellar said.
“It’s an opportunity for us to win away from home. The reality is, we haven’t been good enough away from home. This is a huge opportunity for us.”
Weather forecasts suggest a slippery, rain-affected encounter in Lautoka on Saturday, but McKellar is focused on preparation and adaptability.
“One thing we can’t control is the weather,” he said. “If it rains or not, we expect the ball to be pretty slippery up there. The only thing is how we deal with it.”
1. Loosehead Prop Isaac Kailea (Sydney University)*
2. Hooker Ethan Dobbins (Sydney University)
3. Tighthead Prop Daniel Botha (Sydney University)
4. Left Lock Hugh Sinclair (C) (Northern Suburbs)
5. Right Lock Ben Grant (Sydney University)
6. Left Flanker Jamie Adamson(Eastern Suburbs)
7. Right Flanker Charlie Gamble (Eastern Suburbs)
8. Number Eight Leafi Talataina (Sydney University)
9. Scrumhalf Teddy Wilson (Eastern Suburbs)
10. Flyhalf Lawson Creighton (Randwick)
11. Left Wing Triston Reilly (Randwick)
12. Inside Centre Joey Walton (Gordon)
13. Outside Centre Lalakai Foketi (Manly)
14. Right Wing Andrew Kellaway (Eastern Suburbs)
15. Fullback Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
Replacements
16. Reserve Julian Heaven (Eastern Suburbs)
17. Reserve Tom Lambert (Sydney University)
18. Reserve Siosifa Amone (Northern Suburbs)
19. Reserve Miles Amatosero (Eastern Suburbs)
20. Reserve Langi Gleeson (Manly)
21. Reserve Jack Grant (Eastern Suburbs)
22. Reserve Tane Edmed (Eastwood)
23. Reserve Henry O'Donnell (Northern Suburbs)
*Denotes first selection in starting team
Max Jorgensen (syndesmosis)
Jake Gordon (medial ligament)
Mahe Vailanu (broken arm)
Dave Porecki (calf)
Fergus Lee-Warner (foot)
Lucas Ripley (shoulder)
What: NSW Waratahs v the Fijian Drua
Where: Churchill Park, Lautoka, Fiji
When: Saturday, 19 April, 2025
Kick-off: 12.05 pm (AEST)
The game will be televised LIVE on Stan Sport - The Home of Rugby
