NSW Waratahs Head Coach Dan McKellar has made a number of key changes to his starting XV ahead of the team’s must-win Round 15 Super Rugby Pacific clash against the Western Force this Saturday at HBF Park in Perth.
He has made four personnel changes to the starting lineup, and one on the bench, alongside several positional switches aimed at sharpening the NSW Waratahs' performance after last week’s disappointing loss to the Crusaders.
Saturday also marks the 108th for the NSW Waratahs by captain Jake Gordon, surpassing Chris Whitaker as the most capped NSW Waratahs half-back.
Among the most notable returns to the starting XV is that of Wallabies tighthead prop Taniela Tupou after some impressive showings off the bench recently.
Tupou returns to the starting side in place of Daniel Botha who has been named on the bench that is made up of five forwards and three backs.
McKellar praised Tupou’s recent form, citing signals of his explosive best.
“His last two weeks have produced good signs, both at set-piece and with his movement and speed,” McKellar said.
“We’re starting to see signs of the old ‘Nela, which is really encouraging.”
In the back row, Hugh Sinclair also returns to the starting XV, but as left flanker, replacing Rob Leota, who has been sidelined with a minor ankle injury.
“Rob’s picked up a minor ankle injury; so, ‘Sincs’ comes in at 6,” McKellar said.
Midfielder Lalakai Foketi has earned his start, this week reclaiming the No. 13 jersey from Henry O’Donnell who has not been named in the 23-match squad.
The fourth run-on return is Lawson Creighton who will start at fullback.
His inclusion sees Andrew Kellaway, who played at No. 15 last week in place of injured Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (concussion/ jaw) shift to the right wing.
Kellaway’s move to No. 14 sees Triston Reilly switch from the right to left wing, and Darby Lancaster, who played at No. 11 last week, named on the bench.
“We are giving Lawson a crack at 15,” McKellar said.
“We gain another strong voice in attack, and he has a good kicking game. He gives us that ability to have a second ball player.”
Meanwhile, on the 5-3 bench, flanker Jamie Adamson returns as a finisher.
“Jamie has been good for us off the bench … brought a lot of impact and physicality, and we expect the same on Saturday,” McKellar said.
The changes follow a disappointing first half against the Crusaders in Round 14 last Friday night, where the NSW Waratahs failed to assert themselves early.
McKellar is confident the group has learned from that outing and will respond.
“We were disappointed with our first forty minutes against the Crusaders last week,” he said. “We have got to be better. It is as simple as that.”
McKellar is confident that the team’s mindset has shifted into a positive frame following what was a frank and detailed review on Monday of last week’s loss.
“We always need to review the performance and review it honestly, whether it’s good, bad or indifferent,” McKellar said.
“We did that, like we always do on Monday and we move on.”
- Loosehead Prop Angus Bell (Sydney University)
2. Hooker David Porecki (Manly)
3. Tighthead Prop Taniela Tupou (West Harbour)
4. Left Lock Fergus Lee-Warner (Eastern Suburbs)
5. Right Lock Miles Amatosero (Eastern Suburbs)
6. Left Flanker Hugh Sinclair (Northern 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 Triston Reilly (Randwick)
12. Inside Centre Joey Walton (Gordon)
13. Outside Centre Lalakai Foketi (Manly)
14. Right Wing Andrew Kellaway (Randwick)
15. Fullback Lawson Creighton (Randwick)
16. Reserve Mahe Vailanu (Gordon)
17. Reserve Tom Lambert (Sydney University)
18. Reserve Daniel Botha (Sydney University)
19. Reserve Ben Grant (Sydney University)
20. Reserve Jamie Adamson (Eastern Suburbs)
21. Reserve Teddy Wilson (Eastern Suburbs)
22. Reserve Jack Bowen (Eastern Suburbs)
23. Reserve Darby Lancaster (Eastern Suburbs)
*Denotes Most Capped NSW Waratahs half-back (108 caps)
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (concussion/fractured jaw)
Max Jorgensen (syndesmosis)
Rob Leota (ankle)
Jimmy Hendren (broken wrist)
Where: HBF Park, Perth
When: Saturday, 24 May, 2025
Kick-off: 7.35 pm (AEST)
The game will be televised LIVE on Stan Sport - The Home of Rugby
