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2025 New South Wales Waratahs season

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New South Wales Waratahs
2024–25[a] season
The Waratahs play every 2025 home fixture at Sydney Football Stadium.
PresidentMatt Burke[2]
CoachDan McKellar
StadiumSydney Football Stadium, Moore Park, Sydney
Super Rugby PacificTBD
Super Rugby Pacific FinalsTBD
British & Irish Lions tourTBD
← 2024
2026 →
All statistics correct as of 12 January 2025.

The 2025 New South Wales Waratahs season is their 29th and current season in the Super Rugby since entering the professional era in 1996. Although the pre-season began in 2024 with a tour to Japan, the domestic season is set to begin in February 2025.

Squad and personnel

[edit]
“Who should be the next Waratahs coach?”
The Sydney Morning Herald readers' poll (21–30 May 2024)[3]
Candidate %
Michael Cheika
39%
John Manenti
17%
Simon Raiwalui
13%
Stephen Hoiles
12%
Other
9%
Nathan Grey
8%
Jason Gilmore
1%

Coaching personnel

[edit]

In May 2024 the New South Wales Rugby Union (NSWRU) confirmed that New South Wales Waratahs head coach since 2021,[b] Darren Coleman, would be released at the conclusion of the 2024 season.[4][5] At the time of the announcement Coleman's injury-plagued Waratahs had won just two matches from twelve, and sat bottom of the ladder.[6] At the end of the 2023 season the Waratahs had finished sixth on the seasonal ladder, as they did the previous season, and were knocked out of the Finals in the Quarter-finals stage.[7][8] Coleman stated to the The Sydney Morning Herald immediately following the season that although he loved the job, he did not feel great, stating: “I firmly believe we are trending in the right way... We haven't spoken about an extension, and nor would I expect them to come to me, given the season we just had. I'll keep my head down, work hard, get results next year and hopefully stay on if they want me. If not, I get it, you’ve got to win and win championships to keep the job.”[9] When Coleman was announced as the new head coach on a three-year deal in July 2021[10][11] he was reported to be one of four final candidates vying for the position, which included Australia women's sevens coach John Manenti; Western Force assistant and former Fiji head coach John McKee; and Cardiff head coach John Mulvihill.[11] Under Coleman's tenure (2022–2024) the Waratahs obtained a 36% win ratio.

Following the announcement that Coleman's contract would not be extended, The Sydney Morning Herald cited Michael Cheika, Nathan Grey, Stephen Hoiles and John Manenti as potential front-runners for the role,[3] and published an article focused specifically on National Rugby League-linked,[12] former Waratahs coach Michael Cheika.[13] Later that same day (21 May 2024), the same publication gave readers a poll of six candidates, asking: “Who should be the next Waratahs coach?” Michael Cheika was polled the highest at 39%, with almost 4,000 votes cast.[3] The following month they published an article discussing four candidates with high-level experience: Nathan Grey, Andy Friend, Michael Cheika and Kevin Foote.[14] In late June, following expressions of interest from the Waratahs, former Australia and England attack coach Scott Wisemantel was put forward as a potential candidate, according to confidential sources.[15] Finally on 3 July 2024 it was confirmed that the new coach of the Waratahs was Dan McKellar.[16][17] McKellar signed on a three-year deal,[18] and was immediately considered the front-runner for the job upon news of his sacking and replacement for Michael Cheika as head coach of English club Leicester Tigers just two weeks earlier.[19][20] McKellar was joined by former Fiji coach Simon Raiwalui as Director of Performance[21] alongside England international veteran and former Ireland attack coach Mike Catt.[22] All three would serve as part of the teams high-performance staff.

Coaching personnel[23]
Position Coach
Head Coach Dan McKellar
Assistant Coach Mike Catt
Dan Palmer
Lachlan McCaffrey[24]
Director of Performance Simon Raiwalui

Squad

[edit]

After a very active off-season with transfers,[25] the Waratahs announced their pre-season squad to tour Japan in November 2024 with new coach Dan McKellar.[26][27] The squad included a sizeable youth contingent and various new signings.[28] Only one player was signed in 2025, with the earliest signing for the 2025 season being "dual code" international Joseph Sua'ali'i in March 2023.

The Waratahs' squad for the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season was announced on 12 November 2024.[29][30]

Senior squad

[edit]
Waratahs senior squad

Props

Hookers

Locks

Loose forwards

Scrum-halves

Fly-halves

Centres

Outside backs

(cc) denotes team co-captains, Bold denotes internationally capped, DEV denotes a development squad player, ST denotes a short-term signing, denotes a player ruled out for the season with injury.

Academy squad

[edit]
Waratahs academy squad

Props

Hookers

Locks

Loose forwards

Scrum-halves

Fly-halves

Centres

Outside backs

Bold denotes internationally capped at youth level.

Transfers

[edit]

Season results

[edit]

Pre-season

[edit]

Waratahs score shown first.

2025 Pre-season results
Date Venue Team Score Result (Margin) Ref.
Friday, 29 November (2024) Edogawa Stadium, Edogawa, Tokyo (Japan) Kubota Spears 43–17 Won (26 points) [26][67][68]
Saturday, 1 February Bowral Rugby Club, Burradoo, New South Wales ACT Brumbies TBD

Summary and fixtures

[edit]
Round12345678910111213141516
GroundH–HHAHAAHA–AHHAA
Result
Position
Source: Super Rugby
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss
Notes: Positions show the situation at the end of the corresponding Game Round (GR); not the position at the conclusion of matches or game days

Waratahs score shown first.

2025 Super Rugby season
Rnd. Date Venue Team Score Result (Margin) Attendance Pos. Ref.
1 Friday, 14 February Sydney Football Stadium, Moore Park (Sydney) Highlanders — TBD
2 Bye
3 Friday, 28 February Sydney Football Stadium, Moore Park (Sydney) Fijian Drua — TBD
4 Saturday, 8 March Sydney Football Stadium, Moore Park (Sydney) Western Force — TBD
5 Saturday, 15 March Lang Park, Herston (Brisbane) Queensland Reds — TBD
6 Saturday, 22 March Sydney Football Stadium, Moore Park (Sydney) ACT Brumbies — TBD
7 Friday, 28 March TBD Hurricanes — TBD
8 Saturday, 5 April North Harbour Stadium, Albany (Auckland) Moana Pasifika — TBD
9 Friday, 11 April Sydney Football Stadium, Moore Park (Sydney) Chiefs — TBD
10 Saturday, 19 April Churchill Park, Lautoka Fijian Drua — TBD
11 Bye
12 Saturday, 3 April Canberra Stadium, Bruce (Canberra) ACT Brumbies — TBD
13 Friday, 9 May Sydney Football Stadium, Moore Park (Sydney) Queensland Reds — TBD
14 Friday, 16 May Sydney Football Stadium, Moore Park (Sydney) Crusaders — TBD
15 Saturday, 24 May Perth Rectangular Stadium, Perth Western Force — TBD
16 Saturday, 31 May Eden Park, Kingsland (Auckland) Blues — TBD

Season standings

[edit]
2025 Super Rugby Pacific standings
Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts
7 Highlanders 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
8 Hurricanes 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
9 Moana Pasifika 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
10 Reds 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
11 Waratahs 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
First match(es) will be played: 14 February 2025. Source: Super Rugby

British & Irish Lions tour

[edit]
Further information: 2025 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia

Waratahs score shown first.

2025 British & Irish Lions tour
Date Venue Team Score Result (Margin) Ref.
Saturday, 5 July Sydney Football Stadium, Moore Park (Sydney)  British and Irish Lions TBD

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ The fixtures played beyond May 2024, outside of the Super Rugby, are 2025 pre-season matches.[1]
  2. ^ Coleman was signed to the New South Wales Waratahs in June/July 2021, however the season did not begin until February 2022.
  3. ^ News published in mid-July asserted that Tupou was set to sign for the Waratahs,[34] however an official announcement was not made until 2 August 2024.
  4. ^ Holloway initially requested an early release from the club at the end of the 2024 season.[63] He subsequently joined the Leicester Tigers in November 2024.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "NSW Waratahs Name Line-up for Kubota Match in Japan". waratahs.rugby. New South Wales Rugby Union. 26 November 2024. Archived from the original on 2 December 2024. The match against Kubota will be played at Edogawa Stadium and kick-off at 2pm (4pm AEST). It will provide McKellar with his first glimpse in match conditions of how well the NSW Waratahs have developed after five weeks of pre-season training in Sydney.
  2. ^ "NSW Rugby Union Annual Report – 2023" (PDF). cloudfront.net. New South Wales Rugby Union. 31 December 2023. p. 6. Archived (PDF) from the original on 17 May 2024.
  3. ^ a b c Decent, Tom (21 May 2024). "'I'm sorry and embarrassed': Emotional Coleman opens up on Waratahs exit". The Sydney Morning Herald. Nine Entertainment. Archived from the original on 21 May 2024.
  4. ^ "Waratahs to part ways with coach Darren Coleman at end of season". ESPN. 20 May 2024. Archived from the original on 24 May 2024.
  5. ^ Harper, Tony (20 May 2024). "Tahs confirm Darren Coleman departure, search already underway for new coach". The Roar. Archived from the original on 29 May 2024.
  6. ^ Mitchell, Brittany (21 May 2024). "Where it all went wrong for Coleman and the Waratahs". ESPN. Archived from the original on 25 May 2024.
  7. ^ Payten, Iain (9 June 2023). "Empty farewell for Hooper as Tahs thumped in quarter-final". The Sydney Morning Herald. Nine Entertainment. Archived from the original on 17 June 2023.
  8. ^ Napier, Liam (9 June 2023). "Blues v Waratahs: Leon MacDonald's men cruise into Super Rugby Pacific semifinals". The New Zealand Herald. New Zealand Media and Entertainment.
  9. ^ Decent, Tom (10 June 2023). "'We went backwards': Why Coleman fears it's his final chance to turn Tahs around". The Sydney Morning Herald. Nine Entertainment. Archived from the original on 17 June 2023.
  10. ^ Decent, Tom (1 July 2021). "Coleman's wild ride from sleepy South West Rocks to Waratahs' hot seat". The Sydney Morning Herald. Nine Entertainment. Archived from the original on 3 July 2021.
  11. ^ a b Decent, Tom (26 June 2021). "Darren Coleman wins race for Waratahs head coaching job". The Sydney Morning Herald. Nine Entertainment. Archived from the original on 26 June 2021.
  12. ^ Proszenko, Adrian; Webster, Andrew (1 May 2024). "Bennett, Cheika throw hats into Rabbitohs coaching ring". The Sydney Morning Herald. Nine Entertainment. Archived from the original on 3 May 2024.
  13. ^ Payten, Iain (21 May 2024). "The Eddie-shaped shadow hanging over a Cheika rescue mission at Waratahs". The Sydney Morning Herald. Nine Entertainment. Archived from the original on 24 June 2024.
  14. ^ Drennan, Jonathan (3 June 2024). "'We've had a rough trot': Who is the coach to turn the Waratahs around?". The Sydney Morning Herald. Nine Entertainment. Archived from the original on 1 June 2024.
  15. ^ Payten, Iain (20 June 2024). "Experienced coach in frame for Waratahs as another star seeks release". The Sydney Morning Herald. Nine Entertainment. Archived from the original on 20 June 2024.
  16. ^ Decent, Tom (3 July 2024). "'I'm motivated': McKellar confirmed as new Waratahs coach". The Sydney Morning Herald. Nine Entertainment. Archived from the original on 3 July 2024.
  17. ^ Doran, Christy (3 July 2024). "Exclusive: Dan's the man - McKellar set to be unveiled as Waratahs' new coach". The Roar. Archived from the original on 3 July 2024.
  18. ^ "McKellar confirmed as Waratahs coach on three-year deal". ESPN. 5 July 2024. Archived from the original on 8 July 2024.
  19. ^ Payten, Iain (24 June 2024). "McKellar in the frame for Waratahs job after sudden Tigers departure". The Sydney Morning Herald. Nine Entertainment. Archived from the original on 25 June 2024.
  20. ^ Payten, Iain (27 June 2024). "Cheika out of the running for NRL, Waratahs roles after joining English club". The Sydney Morning Herald. Nine Entertainment. Archived from the original on 28 June 2024.
  21. ^ "Simon Raiwalui joins the NSW Waratahs as Director of Performance". waratahs.rugby. New South Wales Rugby Union. 28 June 2024. Archived from the original on 14 August 2024.
  22. ^ Payten, Iain (25 October 2024). "Top Catt: The serendipitous jog that helped the Waratahs stage a coaching coup". The Sydney Morning Herald. Nine Entertainment. Archived from the original on 2 January 2025.
  23. ^ "NSW Waratahs revamp coaching structure and high performance team". waratahs.rugby. New South Wales Rugby Union. 5 August 2024. Archived from the original on 12 September 2024.
  24. ^ Seconi, Adrian (7 August 2024). "McCaffrey to join Waratahs after season with Otago". Otago Daily Times. Allied Press. Archived from the original on 7 August 2024.
  25. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Rugby Transfers for the Waratahs for 2024/2025". all.rugby. Archived from the original on 2 December 2024.
  26. ^ a b "NSW Waratahs Name Line-up for Kubota Match in Japan". waratahs.rugby. New South Wales Rugby Union. 26 November 2024. Archived from the original on 2 December 2024.
  27. ^ Morton, Finn (25 November 2024). "NSW Waratahs unveil 25-man squad for clash with Japan's Kubota Spears". Rugbypass.
  28. ^ "Eamon Doyle and Joey Fowler Take Next Step On Japan Tour". waratahs.rugby. New South Wales Rugby Union. 27 November 2024. Archived from the original on 2 December 2024.
  29. ^ "Super Rugby Pacific 2025 Squads revealed". super.rugby. SANZAAR. 12 November 2024. Archived from the original on 23 November 2024.
  30. ^ Harpin, Tony (15 November 2024). "COMPLETE Super Rugby Pacific 2025 squads: Reds add Crusaders back, Suli, Petaia and young gun leave as all 11 lineups confirmed". The Roar. Archived from the original on 15 November 2024.
  31. ^ Khan, Jo (25 March 2023). "NRL star Joseph Suaalii to switch codes for three-year contract with Rugby Australia". Guardian Australia. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  32. ^ Tiernan, Eamonn (25 March 2023). "Confirmed: Suaalii tells Roosters he's going, signs one of rugby's richest ever deals". Fox Sports Australia. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  33. ^ Williamson, Nathan (20 June 2024). "Andrew Kellaway returns to NSW Waratahs after signing Australian Rugby extension". rugby.com.au. Archived from the original on 11 July 2024.
  34. ^ Payten, Iain (17 July 2024). "Waratahs poised to sign Tupou, scrum guru lauds Thor's 'explosive power'". The Sydney Morning Herald. Nine Entertainment. Archived from the original on 17 July 2024.
  35. ^ Rotich, Judy (28 July 2024). "Australia's Taniela Tupou Chooses Waratahs as Rebels Stars Depart". Sports Illustrated. Minute Media. Archived from the original on 28 July 2024.
  36. ^ Drennan, Jonathan (2 August 2024). "'It's a big weight off my shoulders': Tupou relieved to finally seal move to Tahs". The Sydney Morning Herald. Nine Entertainment. Archived from the original on 2 August 2024.
  37. ^ "Back in Blue: Wallabies winger Lancaster excited to return home to NSW Waratahs". rugby.com.au. 30 July 2024.
  38. ^ "Wallabies enforcer Rob Leota joins the NSW Waratahs". waratahs.rugby. New South Wales Rugby Union. 31 July 2024. Archived from the original on 1 August 2024.
  39. ^ Drennan, Jonathan (22 August 2024). "Rebuilding Waratahs sign another Wallaby – and Rebel – for 2025". The Sydney Morning Herald. Nine Entertainment. Archived from the original on 22 August 2024.
  40. ^ a b c d e f "Waratahs Welcome Six New Signings to Daceyville". waratahs.rugby. New South Wales Rugby Union. 9 September 2024. Archived from the original on 15 December 2024.
  41. ^ a b c d e f Worthington, Sam (9 September 2024). "'We're very happy': Waratahs continue signing spree with six new faces locked in for 2025". Nine's Wide World of Sports. Nine Network. Archived from the original on 10 September 2024.
  42. ^ Worthington, Sam (10 September 2024). "'We would have loved Lawson to stay': New-look Waratahs poach Queensland playmaker". Nine's Wide World of Sports. Nine Network. Archived from the original on 10 September 2024.
  43. ^ Payten, Iain (25 September 2024). "'He is chasing his dream': Son of rugby league legend signs with Waratahs". The Sydney Morning Herald. Nine Entertainment. Archived from the original on 25 September 2024.
  44. ^ "Schoolboy star Zach Fittler opts to join rugby, Waratahs". ESPN. 25 September 2024. Archived from the original on 8 October 2024.
  45. ^ Williamson, Nathan (11 January 2025). "Shute Shield winner, Commonwealth Games star Adamson signs with Waratahs". rugby.com.au.
  46. ^ "Lachlan Swinton a signé avec l'UBB pour la saison prochaine" [Lachlan Swinton has signed for UBB for next season]. L'Équipe (in French). Éditions Philippe Amaury. 21 November 2023. Archived from the original on 24 November 2023.
  47. ^ Doran, Christy (6 December 2023). "Done deal: Wallabies star signs with NRL powerhouse in brutal reality check for RA at start of 'golden decade'". The Roar. Archived from the original on 12 April 2024.
  48. ^ "Izaia Perese: Leicester Tigers sign Australia international back on 'multi-year' deal". BBC Sport. BBC. 21 March 2024. Archived from the original on 3 April 2024.
  49. ^ "Dragons sign Waratahs centre Wilson". BBC Sport. BBC. 2 May 2024. Archived from the original on 3 May 2024.
  50. ^ Bean, Graham (6 May 2024). "Mosese Tuipulotu joins Edinburgh Rugby and issues challenge to big brother Sione Tuipulotu". The Scotsman. National World. Archived from the original on 18 May 2024.
  51. ^ Raisey, Josh (16 May 2024). "Wallaby Ned Hanigan the latest Test star to join Top 14-chasing outfit". Rugbypass. Archived from the original on 15 July 2024.
  52. ^ Sanchez, Julien (16 May 2024). "🔴 OFFICIEL : International australien, Ned Hanigan s'engage avec Provence Rugby" [🔴 OFFICIAL: Australian international Ned Hanigan signs for Provence Rugby]. provencerugby.com (in French).
  53. ^ "TOM ROSS REJOINT LE STADE NIÇOIS POUR LA SAISON 2024/2025 !" [TOM ROSS JOINS STADE NIÇOIS FOR THE 2024/2025 SEASON!]. stadenicois.fr (in French). 13 June 2024. Archived from the original on 6 September 2024.
  54. ^ "Super Rugby Pacific: Western Force sign Waratahs tighthead prop Harry Johnson-Holmes". The West Australian. Seven West Media. 15 July 2024. Archived from the original on 8 August 2024.
  55. ^ "新加入選手および新加入スタッフのお知らせ" [Announcement of new players and new staff members]. hanazono-liners.jp (in Japanese). 3 July 2024.
  56. ^ Raqio, Mosese (29 August 2024). "Karawalevu signs full-time contract with Fijian Drua". Fiji Village. Archived from the original on 29 August 2024.
  57. ^ "Scarlets sign Australian prop Holz". BBC Sport. BBC. 4 September 2024. Archived from the original on 5 September 2024.
  58. ^ "ENRIQUE PIERETTO S'ENGAGE EN TANT QUE JOKER MEDICAL" [ENRIQUE PIERETTO SIGNS ON AS MEDICAL JOKER]. provencerugby.com (in French). 5 September 2024. Archived from the original on 6 September 2024.
  59. ^ Williamson, Nathan (14 September 2024). "Waratahs, Wallabies winger Dylan Pietsch signs with Western Force". rugby.com.au. Archived from the original on 14 September 2024.
  60. ^ Bradford, Brendan (13 September 2024). "Former Melbourne Rebels and Wallabies front-rower Pone Fa'amausili signs with Moana Pasifika". Code Sports. News Corp Australia.
  61. ^ "Fa'amausili signs with Moana Pasifika". moanapasifika.co.nz. 17 September 2024. Archived from the original on 26 November 2024.
  62. ^ "HAYDEN THOMPSON-STRINGER JOKER MEDICAL DE FEDERICO WEGRZYN" [HAYDEN THOMPSON-STRINGER MEDICAL JOKER FOR FEDERICO WEGRZYN]. provencerugby.com (in French). 13 September 2024. Archived from the original on 16 September 2024.
  63. ^ "Waratahs extend Edmed through 2025, release Holloway". ESPN. 28 August 2024.
  64. ^ "Tigers sign Australia forward Holloway on short deal". BBC Sport. BBC. 26 November 2024. Archived from the original on 3 December 2024.
  65. ^ Jepchumba, Priscilla (28 November 2024). "Rugby Football Club Los Angeles Signs Dynamic Duo for 2025 Season". Sports Illustrated. Minute Media. Archived from the original on 15 December 2024.
  66. ^ Houston SaberCats [@HOUSaberCats] (17 December 2024). "OFFICIAL - The Houston SaberCats sign 27 y/o Scottish prop Michael Scott for #MLR2025 😼 Scott, 6ft 280lbs, is primarily a tighthead prop but comfortable on both sides of the scrum. He has experience playing for Waratahs in Super Rugby & Glasgow Warriors. Welcome to H-Town 🤘" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  67. ^ New South Wales Waratahs [@NSWWaratahs] (29 November 2024). "Pre-season match #1 in the books in Japan. Arigatō gozaimashita Kubota Spears and to our Principal Partner NRI for making our tour to Japan possible. #wearetahs" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  68. ^ "【プレシーズンマッチ】クボタスピアーズ船橋・東京ベイがワラターズに敗れる。ルディケHC「良い学びの場となった」" [[Pre-season match] Kubota Spears Funabashi and Tokyo Bay lose to Waratahs. HC Rudike: ‘It was a good learning experience’]. Yahoo Japan (in Japanese). LY Corporation. 30 November 2024.
[edit]
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