They’ve built a rock star team with a world-class coaching structure to oversee it, but the key to the Waratahs’ greener pastures in 2025 might not just be because of their new million-dollar additions.
Instead, the Waratahs’ revival from cellar-dwellers to competition contenders could be the result of some tender care provided towards their training paddock.
A substandard field at NSW Rugby headquarters at Daceyville was identified as one of the contributing factors to the unprecedented run of injuries Darren Coleman’s side suffered in 2024.
In total, the Waratahs lost all ten contracted front-rowers – seven props and three hookers – late in their horror season, with a fourth rake, Julian Heaven, also going down late in the season.
The devastating and jaw-dropping injuries, which saw Wallabies incumbent captain Dave Porecki fail to play a match and star loose-head prop Angus Bell break down after just four matches, contributed to the Waratahs winning just two matches as Coleman’s side finished smack bang at the bottom of the table.
Angus Bell has played just five Super Rugby matches in two years. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
After months of reviews by the Waratahs and Rugby Australia into their season from hell, it was identified that the field they were using was an issue.
“The field wasn’t great when I turned up, that’s for sure,” said new Waratahs head coach Dan McKellar plainly, adding that he’s now got 42 players to coach after arriving at Daceyville with just 16 players available because of injury and Test duties.
“If you’re training on a crap field, then that’s going to load up your tendons and your joints and your muscles, if it’s rock hard.
“This is high performance and the boys are training out there four times a week, so it needs to be of quality. It’s improved significantly.”
Bell, who suffered a second straight season-ending toe-injury, described the turf as “terrible” in 2024.
“It was pretty tough last year because a lot of boys, a lot of young guys, sustained pretty big injuries, which is pretty tough on a young player,” Bell said.
“Obviously, I’ve been through my injuries as well. My body didn’t like that field, but now it’s a lot better, which is good.”
New Waratahs coach Dan McKellar alongside Test stars Jake Gordon (L) and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii. Photo: Waratahs Media
The Waratahs are hoping the softer, healthier pitch leads to greener pastures because McKeller has almost overnight assembled a world-class team.
With off-contract $1.2 million Test star Taniela Tupou joining Bell and Porecki at the Waratahs, McKellar has a front-row that matches any in the world.
It doesn’t just stop there either, with Tupou’s Rebels teammate Isaac Kailea also arriving to provide depth alongside Tom Lambert and hookers Mahe Vailanu.
Then there’s a series of emerging props like Sifa Amone, who has lost 23 kilograms since arriving at the Waratahs, that are quickly benefitting from the technical prowess provided by McKellar and his world-renowned scrum coach Dan Palmer.
It’s something that has Bell bouncing around after a frustrating two years in sky blue after playing just five Super Rugby matches in the past two years.
“I’ve known Palms for years and I know how quality he is,” Bell said. “He’s a highly qualified, highly skilled scrum coach and we’ve seen the benefits of that now.
“Our scrum sessions are highly competitive. It’s crazy how good boys have got. The boys are red hot – and that’s coming from me, mate.
“I’ve come back in and really had to pull my head in because those boys are really firing on all cylinders and they’re super strong.
“It’s awesome because you know you’re getting better.
“Palms has been awesome for this group and I genuinely think he’s saved a lot of boys’ scrummaging careers because he’s just… a bit of a guru around it.”
Despite training in 40 degree Celsius conditions on Tuesday, the Waratahs’ training session went almost 30 minutes over as McKellar attempts to leave no stone unturned ahead of their season opener against the Highlanders at Allianz Stadium on February 14.
Before then, the Waratahs will continue to ramp up their preparations as McKellar faces his old side, the Brumbies, in Bowral on Saturday a week after putting 70 points on a NSW Pasifika side in western Sydney.
With all of his Wallabies available after reporting for duty for the first time earlier this month, McKellar is expected to roll out a strong side as the Waratahs attempt to bed in some combinations.
The Waratahs have an all-Wallabies front-row including Taniela Tupou, Dave Porecki and Angus Bell. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, the most expensive man in Super Rugby, is expected to play fullback after being seen wearing the No.15 jersey on his back just months after playing outside-centre for the Wallabies.
With an embarrassment of riches to choose from, McKellar is expected to play fellow fullbacks Max Jorgensen and Andrew Kellaway on the wings.
One Test Wallaby Tane Edmed is expected to return at fly-half, with Joey Walton outside him.
Rebels recruit Rob Leota is expected to start in the back-row, while recently re-signed Waratahs lock Miles Amatosero should play alongside Ben Grant, who arrives after spending a season at the Hurricanes.
Even if Suaalii does wear the No.15 jersey against the Brumbies, McKellar said the cross-code star could end up playing several positions throughout the year as he continues his reintegration to the 15-man game.
“He’s trained on the wing, he’s done some training at 13, he’s done some training at 15 at the moment,” McKellar said.
“He wants to learn all positions and we’re learning where we can get him into the game most and best and what position suits that.
“I think with how we’ll play, the number on your back is just that, to be honest. You’ve got to be multi-skilled with how we’ll attack. I’m just sort of testing him in a few different areas at the moment.”
Former Waratahs and Wallabies coach Michael Cheika told The Roar Rugby podcast he would play Suaalii at fullback because it would allow him to touch the ball more.
McKellar said that it would be important to allow Suaalii some time to grow in one position.
“I wouldn’t like to be changing him every week,” McKellar said.
“Again, it comes down to injuries and Joseph’s utility value is certainly a strong point. He can cover many positions.
“But I’d like to pick a player and give him time there to build confidence and get a real understanding of what’s required in that role. So, I’d imagine whatever position he starts in, in round one, he’ll play that position for a number of weeks.”
McKellar added that Joe Schmidt would be involved in discussions around Suaalii, but the Wallabies boss wouldn’t dictate terms of where to play him.
