The NSW Waratahs are set to ignite their 2025 season with a highly anticipated trial match against NSW Pasifica. Head Coach Dan McKellar has announced a robust twenty-seven-player squad for this Saturday’s encounter at Eric Tweedale Stadium in Granville, Sydney, marking the first on-field action of the year for the team.
McKellar’s selection strategy prioritizes game time for a broad range of players who have dedicated themselves to pre-season training. The starting fifteen will be complemented by twelve replacements, ensuring maximum opportunity for players to showcase their abilities and fitness. Notably, among returning players from the Wallabies Spring tour, only winger Darby Lancaster has been included in this initial lineup, signaling a focus on rewarding pre-season dedication.
NSW Waratahs Team Lineup
“Our aim is to reward the players who have been the engine room of our pre-season, those who have diligently put in the hard yards,” McKellar stated. “This match against Pasifica is the perfect platform to launch our 2025 campaign and provide these players with a well-deserved opportunity to represent the Waratahs.”
When questioned about his expectations for the team this Saturday, McKellar emphasized the importance of attitude and effort above perfect execution.
“I’m looking for a tangible display of the standards and behaviors we’ve been instilling every day in training,” McKellar explained. “We anticipate errors; perfection isn’t the immediate goal. However, unwavering effort and a relentless fighting spirit are non-negotiable from the opening whistle. This trial against Pasifica is about demonstrating our core values on the field.”
While several seasoned players who participated in the Wallabies Spring tour will be rested for this match, including scrum-half Jake Gordon, who was recently reaffirmed as NSW Waratahs captain for 2025, leadership will be firmly in place. Backrower Hugh Sinclair, previously co-captain against the Kubota Spears in Tokyo, will lead the team against Pasifica.
Hugh Sinclair Captaining Waratahs
McKellar highlighted Sinclair’s respected presence within the squad as a key factor in his captaincy selection for this game. “Hugh leads by example and commands respect through his actions. When he speaks, the team listens,” McKellar commented. “He embodies the passion for rugby in New South Wales and is deeply committed to the Waratahs.”
Addressing the absence of players returning from Wallabies duty, McKellar clarified the necessity for a more tailored pre-season ramp-up for these individuals.
“Those returning from international duties require a focused training block to align with the intensity we’ve established here,” McKellar noted. “The pace and demands of our pre-season might be a significant adjustment for them initially. However, we are confident they will quickly regain peak conditioning and fitness, and we anticipate their readiness within the next couple of weeks.”
The Saturday fixture promises a rugby feast with a blockbuster Triple Header against NSW Pasifica teams. Prior to the Waratahs’ main game against Pasifica, the NSW Waratahs Under 20s will clash with the NSW Pasifica Under 20s at 1 pm. Following the senior men’s game, the NSW Waratahs Women will face off against NSW Pasifica Women at 6 pm, completing a full day of Pasifica rugby action.
NSW Waratahs Team to Face NSW Pasifica:
- Loosehead Prop Tom Lambert
- Hooker Julian Heaven
- Tighthead Prop Daniel Botha
- Left Lock Felix Kalapu
- Right Lock Ben Grant
- Left Flanker Leafi Talataina
- Right Flanker Jamie Adamson
- Number Eight Hugh Sinclair (C)
- Scrumhalf Teddy Wilson
- Flyhalf Jack Bowen
- Left Wing Darby Lancaster
- Inside Centre Joey Walton
- Outside Centre Henry O’Donnell
- Right Wing Triston Rielly
- Fullback James Hendren
- Reserve Ethan Dobbins
- Reserve Adrian Brown
- Reserve Brad Amituanai
- Reserve Ale Aho
- Reserve Clem Halaholo
- Reserve Charlie Gamble
- Reserve Jack Grant
- Reserve Archie Saunders
- Reserve Joey Fowler
- Reserve Jackson Ropata
- Reserve Siosifa Amone
Match Day Details:
When: Saturday 25 January
Where: Eric Tweedale Stadium, Granville
Times:
- 1pm – NSW Waratahs U20s v NSW Pasifica U20s
- 4pm – NSW Waratahs v NSW Pasifica
- 6pm – NSW Waratahs Women v NSW Pasifica
Broadcast: All three games will be broadcast live and free on NSW Rugby TV https://www.nswrugbytv.com.au/.
Rugby fans are encouraged to tune in online to witness the Waratahs’ first hit-out of the pre-season against a determined Pasifica side, and to catch all the action from the triple-header event.
