A Remarkable Comeback for the NSW Waratahs
The NSW Waratahs delivered a stunning performance in Suva, securing a 50-35 victory over the Fijian Drua and reigniting their hopes of making the Super Rugby finals. This win came as a surprise to many, especially considering the Waratahs had entered the match on a three-game losing streak and were heavily underdogs against a Drua team that is typically dominant at home.
Despite the odds, the Waratahs managed to pull off an impressive eight-try onslaught, showcasing their attacking prowess in a way that few expected. The team’s success was even more remarkable given that star centre Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii was ruled out due to a hamstring injury just before the game. In his place, young No.10 Jack Bowen made his first start of the season, and the results were nothing short of spectacular.
The Waratahs’ dominance was evident from the start, with a commanding 36-7 lead at half-time. Although the Drua fought back in the second half, the deficit proved too large to overcome. Hooker Ioane Moananu, who started in place of the injured Ethan Dobbins, scored a double, while Harry Potter, Max Jorgensen, Sid Harvey, Teddy Wilson, Angus Scott-Young, and Apolosi Ranawai also crossed the try line.
Ranawai’s contribution was particularly notable. The 32-year-old Fiji-born prop has transformed his body from 168kg to achieve his professional rugby dream. His try capped a memorable afternoon for the veteran player, who has been a source of inspiration for the team.
This victory marked the Waratahs’ first win outside of Australia since 2022, ending a 15-game drought in style. Captain Matt Philip acknowledged the difficulty of preparing for the Drua, saying, “It’s very hard to plan to play the Drua because you don’t know what they’re going to do.”
In addition to Suaalii and Dobbins, the Waratahs were also without several key players, including Angus Blyth, Folau Fainga’a, Andrew Kellaway, Tom Lambert, Pete Samu, and Joey Walton. However, the team embraced a “next man up” mentality, with Philip praising the enthusiasm of the new players.
The bonus point victory lifted the Waratahs to seventh on the ladder, just one spot outside the top-six finals mix. While the team remains focused on the next challenge, Philip emphasized the importance of taking each game one at a time.
“We try not to keep the ladder in mind, you know, it’s a week by week thing for us,” he said. “We’ve got the Brumbies at home, they’re a super strong opposition, we know what’s coming from them.”
Coach Dan McKellar was naturally delighted with the performance after what he described as a “tough couple of weeks.” He noted that the Waratahs had finally started to use the ball more effectively, adopting a more attacking approach rather than being overly conservative.
“The cohesion that they’ve built over the years was obvious, but they bring energy as well and a real threat with the ball,” McKellar said of the promising halves partnership between Wilson and Bowen.
Ranawai’s inspirational journey has provided a much-needed boost to the Waratahs. McKellar recalled a conversation from July last year when Ranawai was surprised to receive a call to potentially play Super Rugby. “The work that he’s put in – it just goes to show, never give up on your dream,” he said.
While it remains to be seen if this performance marks a turning point in the McKellar era, it was certainly a thrilling display for fans. “It builds the confidence and belief in the group with what we’re working on,” McKellar said. “Great for the players and the staff to be able to enjoy what was a good performance.”
The Drua, now ninth on the ladder, will face the Western Force in Perth next weekend.
