Latest news with #NSWWaratahs
The Age
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Age
‘Not going to happen quickly': McKellar says Tahs re-build will be long haul
'When I stepped foot in the door, it wasn't where it needed to be. And the players have certainly bought into that and the change and progress there has been significant. 'Unfortunately, when you're going through what we're going through at the moment, if you want to put in place something that's going to allow for sustainable success, it takes time to change. And you don't always see that progress on the field through results and outcomes.' Asked when he believed the side would make that change, turn the corner and be consistently successful, McKellar said: 'I can't put a timeline on it but it's not going to happen quickly.' 'We're going back multiple years here and it's got nothing to do with any other previous programs, or previous coaches, but the reality is that it's not something that's new. 'I think how we're going to get real change is by making sure that we identify the best young players in NSW that are desperate to want to play for NSW, and we keep them and we bring them through and develop them into good NSW players. That's how we're going to get the real change, and that's going to take some time. 'I knew we were going to have some good times, and I knew that we were going to have some tough days and that hasn't changed. So there hasn't been any real surprises. 'I knew it was going to be a big job - but that excites me. We all want a strong and successful NSW Waratahs. 'There's been significant changes to the group, but you can already see the progress that's been made there around how we do things. I know people don't see that, and they might regard it as rubbish. But we are in this for the long haul. And that's how you get sustainable change.' McKellar said he would now begin to focus on finalising the Tahs' roster for next year, and confirmed the front row would be an area of priority, with Angus Bell playing in Ulster, and Tupou is also yet to make a call on his future. Mahe Vailanu, Julian Heaven, Rob Leota and Langi Gleeson are leaving, and Tane Edmed is a possible departure, too. He will look at recruitment in all positions, but McKellar said the key to success is getting the NSW production line right. Loading 'There's never going to be an issue with talent in NSW - it's making sure we maintain and hold and develop the good young ones we've got,' McKellar said. 'We've got a number of good ones coming through that 20s program. Guys like Eamon Doyle, Sid Harvey, Austin Durbidge, Marshall Le Maitre, Toby Brial, these boys. They're in our system now, and they're the future. So when they become Super Rugby players, they'll know what's expected of them, day in and day out.' The Waratahs will have a week off before coming back together to begin preparations for the tour match against the British and Irish Lions on July 5. McKellar said he expects new recruit Matt Phillip will be in the mix for the clash, but Pete Samu is unlikely given Clermont are a strong chance to play in the Top 14 final. 'There's a bit of a sour taste in people's mouths after Auckland, so we've got a great opportunity in front of a full house at Allianz in what's a once in a career opportunity for players and coaches,' McKellar said.
Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘Not going to happen quickly': McKellar says Tahs re-build will be long haul
'When I stepped foot in the door, it wasn't where it needed to be. And the players have certainly bought into that and the change and progress there has been significant. 'Unfortunately, when you're going through what we're going through at the moment, if you want to put in place something that's going to allow for sustainable success, it takes time to change. And you don't always see that progress on the field through results and outcomes.' Asked when he believed the side would make that change, turn the corner and be consistently successful, McKellar said: 'I can't put a timeline on it but it's not going to happen quickly.' 'We're going back multiple years here and it's got nothing to do with any other previous programs, or previous coaches, but the reality is that it's not something that's new. 'I think how we're going to get real change is by making sure that we identify the best young players in NSW that are desperate to want to play for NSW, and we keep them and we bring them through and develop them into good NSW players. That's how we're going to get the real change, and that's going to take some time. 'I knew we were going to have some good times, and I knew that we were going to have some tough days and that hasn't changed. So there hasn't been any real surprises. 'I knew it was going to be a big job - but that excites me. We all want a strong and successful NSW Waratahs. 'There's been significant changes to the group, but you can already see the progress that's been made there around how we do things. I know people don't see that, and they might regard it as rubbish. But we are in this for the long haul. And that's how you get sustainable change.' McKellar said he would now begin to focus on finalising the Tahs' roster for next year, and confirmed the front row would be an area of priority, with Angus Bell playing in Ulster, and Tupou is also yet to make a call on his future. Mahe Vailanu, Julian Heaven, Rob Leota and Langi Gleeson are leaving, and Tane Edmed is a possible departure, too. He will look at recruitment in all positions, but McKellar said the key to success is getting the NSW production line right. Loading 'There's never going to be an issue with talent in NSW - it's making sure we maintain and hold and develop the good young ones we've got,' McKellar said. 'We've got a number of good ones coming through that 20s program. Guys like Eamon Doyle, Sid Harvey, Austin Durbidge, Marshall Le Maitre, Toby Brial, these boys. They're in our system now, and they're the future. So when they become Super Rugby players, they'll know what's expected of them, day in and day out.' The Waratahs will have a week off before coming back together to begin preparations for the tour match against the British and Irish Lions on July 5. McKellar said he expects new recruit Matt Phillip will be in the mix for the clash, but Pete Samu is unlikely given Clermont are a strong chance to play in the Top 14 final. 'There's a bit of a sour taste in people's mouths after Auckland, so we've got a great opportunity in front of a full house at Allianz in what's a once in a career opportunity for players and coaches,' McKellar said.
Scoop
5 days ago
- Sport
- Scoop
Blues Named For Must-Win Against Waratahs
The Blues have named a powerful team for their must-win clash with the NSW Waratahs at Eden Park on Saturday. In their final game of the regular season, the Blues need to secure a win in front of their home fans to keep their finals hopes alive. After serving a three-game suspension for a dangerous tackle, Mark Tele'a injects his energy back into the side with a start on the right wing. With the return of Tele'a, AJ Lam shifts back to second five while Finlay Christie earns the starting halfback spot. In the forwards, Anton Segner has been cleared after a heavy collision in Round 14, with the 23-year-old back into the starting XV at blindside flanker. There are several changes to the reserves with prop Jordan Lay and halfback Sam Nock coming into the match day 23, alongside Adrian Choat who returns from a shoulder injury. Saturday's game will also be a celebration of club rugby, with players wearing their club socks. Fans will be allowed onto the turf after the match to get autographs and photos with players. Alongside the action, Eden Park will come alive prior to kickoff with the first-ever Waiata Singalong, a series of activations led by Dame Hinewehi Mohi DNZM, designed to bring people together through the power of waiata. Blues Team for Round 16 4.35pm, Saturday 31 May vs NSW Waratahs 1. Joshua Fusitu'a (34) 2. Ricky Riccitelli (48) 3. Marcel Renata (63) 4. Patrick Tuipulotu (capt) (121) 5. Laghlan McWhannell (20) 6. Anton Segner (34) 7. Dalton Papali'i (94) 8. Hoskins Sotutu (75) 9. Finlay Christie (65) 10. Beauden Barrett (41) 11. Caleb Clarke (72) 12. AJ Lam (55) 13. Rieko Ioane (125) 14. Mark Tele'a (77) 15. Corey Evans (26) Reserves: 16. Kurt Eklund (72), 17. Jordan Lay (24), 18. Angus Ta'avao (79), 19. Josh Beehre (24), 20. Adrian Choat (52), 21. Sam Nock (79), 22. Harry Plummer (86), 23. Cole Forbes (27) Players not considered due to injury: Cam Christie (thumb), Stephen Perofeta (leg), Reon Paul (shoulder), Cam Suafoa (medical, season), Ofa Tu'ungafasi (neck, season), Sam Darry (shoulder, season)
The Advertiser
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Waratahs seek strong start to beat Eden Park curse
Struggling at Eden Park is a familiar story for most Australian rugby sides and the NSW Waratahs are no exception. The Waratahs haven't won in Auckland since 2009 but coach Dan McKellar says, if his team can avoid being blown off the park early in Saturday's clash, they have every chance of keeping their Super Rugby Pacific finals hopes alive. The Waratahs must beat the Blues and hope the Hurricanes beat Moana Pasifika later on Saturday to sneak into the last finals place. "I think places like Eden Park, you just need to be in it with 20 minutes to go," McKellar said on Thursday. "Don't let them get off to a fast start and blow you away. "We've seen it with Auckland Blues teams and All Blacks teams, a lot of the time the game is close to being done by half-time. "So we've got to make sure that we start well and that we're in the fight with 20 to go." The second-year coach is happy to accept underdog status but says there are still internal expectations that NSW will defy history and win to maintain the dream of playing finals. "I don't think there'd be a whole lot of people that would be tipping us so to a certain extent that takes the pressure off," McKellar said. "But internallly there's pressure and we're not going over there to have a nice performance where we lose the game in a close scenario. "We've gotta go there and win so that's what we expect." Approaching the Auckland fortress without fear is the message being pushed in Waratahs camp as they try to exorcise their Eden Park demons. Only two current Waratahs staffers were playing for NSW the last time they won in Auckland in 2009, in a side captained by Rugby Australia boss Phil Waugh. "I think we've just got to understand it's another patch of grass and a nice stadium," McKellar said. "We play on plenty of those and the Brumbies showed it earlier in the year that it's possible. "We don't need to do anything out of the ordinary other than go over there and do your job and perform well." McKellar has once again rung the changes with youngster Jack Bowen taking the starting flyhalf position after starring off the bench against the Force and hamstrung halfback Jake Gordon being replaced by Teddy Wilson. Bowen takes the place of Tane Edmed after his off-the-bench heroics led to the last-minute try that keeps the Waratahs a mathematical chance of playing finals football. "Jack's been very good over a long period of time, we've sort of given him small tastes here and there," McKellar said. "He's transferred how he's trained into probably his biggest contribution in a game on Saturday in Perth. "He gets a chance this week in a big game knowing that we've got Tane and his experience to come in the back end." The Waratahs must beat the Blues and hope the Hurricanes beat Moana Pasifika later on Saturday to sneak into the last finals place. Struggling at Eden Park is a familiar story for most Australian rugby sides and the NSW Waratahs are no exception. The Waratahs haven't won in Auckland since 2009 but coach Dan McKellar says, if his team can avoid being blown off the park early in Saturday's clash, they have every chance of keeping their Super Rugby Pacific finals hopes alive. The Waratahs must beat the Blues and hope the Hurricanes beat Moana Pasifika later on Saturday to sneak into the last finals place. "I think places like Eden Park, you just need to be in it with 20 minutes to go," McKellar said on Thursday. "Don't let them get off to a fast start and blow you away. "We've seen it with Auckland Blues teams and All Blacks teams, a lot of the time the game is close to being done by half-time. "So we've got to make sure that we start well and that we're in the fight with 20 to go." The second-year coach is happy to accept underdog status but says there are still internal expectations that NSW will defy history and win to maintain the dream of playing finals. "I don't think there'd be a whole lot of people that would be tipping us so to a certain extent that takes the pressure off," McKellar said. "But internallly there's pressure and we're not going over there to have a nice performance where we lose the game in a close scenario. "We've gotta go there and win so that's what we expect." Approaching the Auckland fortress without fear is the message being pushed in Waratahs camp as they try to exorcise their Eden Park demons. Only two current Waratahs staffers were playing for NSW the last time they won in Auckland in 2009, in a side captained by Rugby Australia boss Phil Waugh. "I think we've just got to understand it's another patch of grass and a nice stadium," McKellar said. "We play on plenty of those and the Brumbies showed it earlier in the year that it's possible. "We don't need to do anything out of the ordinary other than go over there and do your job and perform well." McKellar has once again rung the changes with youngster Jack Bowen taking the starting flyhalf position after starring off the bench against the Force and hamstrung halfback Jake Gordon being replaced by Teddy Wilson. Bowen takes the place of Tane Edmed after his off-the-bench heroics led to the last-minute try that keeps the Waratahs a mathematical chance of playing finals football. "Jack's been very good over a long period of time, we've sort of given him small tastes here and there," McKellar said. "He's transferred how he's trained into probably his biggest contribution in a game on Saturday in Perth. "He gets a chance this week in a big game knowing that we've got Tane and his experience to come in the back end." The Waratahs must beat the Blues and hope the Hurricanes beat Moana Pasifika later on Saturday to sneak into the last finals place. Struggling at Eden Park is a familiar story for most Australian rugby sides and the NSW Waratahs are no exception. The Waratahs haven't won in Auckland since 2009 but coach Dan McKellar says, if his team can avoid being blown off the park early in Saturday's clash, they have every chance of keeping their Super Rugby Pacific finals hopes alive. The Waratahs must beat the Blues and hope the Hurricanes beat Moana Pasifika later on Saturday to sneak into the last finals place. "I think places like Eden Park, you just need to be in it with 20 minutes to go," McKellar said on Thursday. "Don't let them get off to a fast start and blow you away. "We've seen it with Auckland Blues teams and All Blacks teams, a lot of the time the game is close to being done by half-time. "So we've got to make sure that we start well and that we're in the fight with 20 to go." The second-year coach is happy to accept underdog status but says there are still internal expectations that NSW will defy history and win to maintain the dream of playing finals. "I don't think there'd be a whole lot of people that would be tipping us so to a certain extent that takes the pressure off," McKellar said. "But internallly there's pressure and we're not going over there to have a nice performance where we lose the game in a close scenario. "We've gotta go there and win so that's what we expect." Approaching the Auckland fortress without fear is the message being pushed in Waratahs camp as they try to exorcise their Eden Park demons. Only two current Waratahs staffers were playing for NSW the last time they won in Auckland in 2009, in a side captained by Rugby Australia boss Phil Waugh. "I think we've just got to understand it's another patch of grass and a nice stadium," McKellar said. "We play on plenty of those and the Brumbies showed it earlier in the year that it's possible. "We don't need to do anything out of the ordinary other than go over there and do your job and perform well." McKellar has once again rung the changes with youngster Jack Bowen taking the starting flyhalf position after starring off the bench against the Force and hamstrung halfback Jake Gordon being replaced by Teddy Wilson. Bowen takes the place of Tane Edmed after his off-the-bench heroics led to the last-minute try that keeps the Waratahs a mathematical chance of playing finals football. "Jack's been very good over a long period of time, we've sort of given him small tastes here and there," McKellar said. "He's transferred how he's trained into probably his biggest contribution in a game on Saturday in Perth. "He gets a chance this week in a big game knowing that we've got Tane and his experience to come in the back end." The Waratahs must beat the Blues and hope the Hurricanes beat Moana Pasifika later on Saturday to sneak into the last finals place.
The Advertiser
22-05-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Waratahs coach McKellar backs Bell's Irish sabbatical
NSW Waratahs coach Dan McKellar has given the green light for Wallabies prop Angus Bell to miss the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season while enjoying a sabbatical in Ireland. Bell will link with Ulster after the 2025 Test season and return for the Wallabies' 2026 international program. "To play a season for Ulster in the United Rugby Championship will provide me with new experiences and skills which I look forward to bringing back to Australia with me," 24-year-old Bell said. The loosehead remains a linchpin for the Waratahs and his departure comes less than a week after McKellar said the under-achieving franchise needed a cultural overhaul. McKellar, though, believes the short-term pain of losing Bell will ultimately prove a long-term gain for the Waratahs, who must win their remaining two games to have any chance of featuring in this year's finals. "He's a young man who came straight out of school into the NSW Waratahs system, and we think the time at Ulster will be good for his development on and off the field, which ultimately will help the Waratahs long term. Bell earned his 50th NSW Waratahs cap in the round-nine win over the Chiefs in Sydney. The eighth-placed Tahs take on the Western Force in Perth on Saturday night before rounding out the regular season against the Blues in Auckland. NSW Waratahs coach Dan McKellar has given the green light for Wallabies prop Angus Bell to miss the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season while enjoying a sabbatical in Ireland. Bell will link with Ulster after the 2025 Test season and return for the Wallabies' 2026 international program. "To play a season for Ulster in the United Rugby Championship will provide me with new experiences and skills which I look forward to bringing back to Australia with me," 24-year-old Bell said. The loosehead remains a linchpin for the Waratahs and his departure comes less than a week after McKellar said the under-achieving franchise needed a cultural overhaul. McKellar, though, believes the short-term pain of losing Bell will ultimately prove a long-term gain for the Waratahs, who must win their remaining two games to have any chance of featuring in this year's finals. "He's a young man who came straight out of school into the NSW Waratahs system, and we think the time at Ulster will be good for his development on and off the field, which ultimately will help the Waratahs long term. Bell earned his 50th NSW Waratahs cap in the round-nine win over the Chiefs in Sydney. The eighth-placed Tahs take on the Western Force in Perth on Saturday night before rounding out the regular season against the Blues in Auckland. NSW Waratahs coach Dan McKellar has given the green light for Wallabies prop Angus Bell to miss the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season while enjoying a sabbatical in Ireland. Bell will link with Ulster after the 2025 Test season and return for the Wallabies' 2026 international program. "To play a season for Ulster in the United Rugby Championship will provide me with new experiences and skills which I look forward to bringing back to Australia with me," 24-year-old Bell said. The loosehead remains a linchpin for the Waratahs and his departure comes less than a week after McKellar said the under-achieving franchise needed a cultural overhaul. McKellar, though, believes the short-term pain of losing Bell will ultimately prove a long-term gain for the Waratahs, who must win their remaining two games to have any chance of featuring in this year's finals. "He's a young man who came straight out of school into the NSW Waratahs system, and we think the time at Ulster will be good for his development on and off the field, which ultimately will help the Waratahs long term. Bell earned his 50th NSW Waratahs cap in the round-nine win over the Chiefs in Sydney. The eighth-placed Tahs take on the Western Force in Perth on Saturday night before rounding out the regular season against the Blues in Auckland.
