Back-rower Angus Scott-Young has been named in the starting line-up for the NSW Waratahs for the first time for Friday night’s Swyftx Super Rugby Pacific Round 10 tie against Moana Pasifika at Allianz Stadium (7.35pm kick-off AEST).
Scott-Young, 28, arrived at the Waratahs in late 2025 after a successful three and a half-year stint in England with the Northampton Saints. He has made two substitute appearances so far for the club.
Lawson Creighton returns to the team at inside centre after missing the Round 8 clash with the Chiefs due to an sc-joint injury, while Jake Gordon also comes into the side at scrum-half.
Waratahs head coach Dan McKellar is anticipating a physical encounter on Friday night, with the home side having won only once in four matches against Moana Pasifika, while also giving a nod to Scott-Young.
"Moana Pasifika will be a significant challenge for us," McKellar said. "They're big, powerful men, who have got the ability to be really dangerous off turnover ball and can go front door or they can go the back door. "We need to get our game right, but make sure we front up and are ready for what's going to be a really physical contest. "Angus is a very reliable, physical and experienced player. It's just taken him a few weeks to get back in the team, play an A game for us and get some good training weeks on board. I was always going to give him an opportunity at some point in time."
The front row of Tom Lambert, Ethan Dobbins and Daniel Botha remains unchanged, with the trio continuing to form a strong partnership.
In the second row, captain Matt Philip and Miles Amatosero retain their places, while Scott Young will be looking to make his mark at blindside flanker. He made the most appearances of any player for the Saints in 2024/25 as they reached the final of Investec Champions Trophy that season, having also lifted the Premiership title in 2023/24.
Charlie Gamble again lines up at openside flanker and will become the only Waratahs player to feature in all five Super Rugby Pacific encounters against Moana Pasifika. Pete Samu will make his 150th Provincial appearance at number eight (69 Brumbies, 33 Crusaders, 40 Tasman, 8 Waratahs).
In the halves, Jake Gordon will move alongside Dean Mumm as the 10th most-capped Waratah in Super Rugby Pacific with 116. Jack Debreczeni continues at fly-half alongside him.
Joey Walton partners Crieghton in the centres, shifting to outside centre, meaning Triston Reilly drops down to the bench.
The back three partnership of Max Jorgensen, Andrew Kellaway and Sid Harvey continues for the third game in a row. It will be 10 years to the day tomorrow since Kellaway made his Super Rugby debut for the Tahs, while on the other end of the spectrum, Harvey makes just his fourth start after scoring his first try for the club against the Chiefs.
On the bench, there is a six-two split. Isaac Kailea is named as the loosehead prop replacement, with both Clem Halaholo and Jamie Adamson offering back-row coverage. Teddy Wilson and Triston Reilly are the substitutes for the backs.
It was announced earlier this week that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, will be in attendance at Allianz Stadium for Friday night’s game.
You can buy tickets to our Round 10 clash against the Waratahs on Friday night at Allianz Stadium here.
Waratahs v Moana Pasifika
Round 10 Swyftx Super Rugby Pacific, Friday 17 April, 7.35pm kick-off AEST
Allianz Stadium, Driver Avenue, Moore Park, NSW 2021
Starting XV:
- Tom Lambert
- Ethan Dobbins
- Daniel Botha
- Matt Philip ©
- Miles Amatosero
- Angus Scott-Young
- Charlie Gamble
- Pete Samu
- Jake Gordon
- Jack Debreczeni
- Max Jorgensen
- Lawson Creighton
- Joey Walton
- Andrew Kellaway
- Sid Harvey
Replacements:
16. Folau Faingaa
17. Isaac Kailea
18. Siosifa Amone
19. Angus Blyth
20. Clem Halaholo
21. Jamie Adamson
22. Teddy Wilson
23. Triston Reilly
Injury list:
- James Hendren – wrist
- Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii – hamstring
