A Historic Win for the NSW Waratahs
Coach Dan McKellar has expressed his satisfaction with the NSW Waratahs’ impressive 50-35 victory over the Fijian Drua, highlighting that this win could be a turning point for the team as they prepare for a crucial match against the ACT Brumbies.
McKellar made several strategic changes for the game held at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva. However, the team faced a setback when Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, a key player, was ruled out due to hamstring tightness. This came just weeks after he had recovered from a two-month injury. Despite this, the Waratahs managed to secure an eight-try-to-five victory, ending a 15-game losing streak when playing outside of Australia.
This win marks the first time the Sydney-based team has defeated the Drua in Fiji, keeping their chances of making the finals alive. The Waratahs had lost seven of their last nine matches before this game, and now they are only two points behind the sixth-placed Queensland Reds with two rounds remaining.
“That (win) means we stay alive, we give ourselves a chance, and it builds the confidence and belief in the group with what we’re working on,” McKellar said.
McKellar missed the finals in the previous season after taking charge of the NSW team ahead of the 2025 season. A loss in this match would have jeopardized their post-season hopes again. Instead, the victory sets up a significant clash against the Brumbies next Friday, where the Tahs will aim to solidify their position in the finals race.
“The whole change in the process started about 18 to 20 months ago, and we knew there’d be some tears along the way, and there have been,” McKellar said.
“It’s great for the players and the staff to be able to enjoy what was a good performance, but we crack on.”
Key Moments of the Match
Fresh off a bye, the Drua needed a win to keep their finals aspirations alive. However, poor defense and numerous turnovers hindered their efforts.
“We wanted to start fast, but unfortunately it took us the whole 40 minutes of the first half to actually get our rhythm,” co-captain Temo Mayanavanu told FBC Sports.
“There were a couple of key moments that we weren’t urgent enough in.”
The Waratahs opened the scoring when Harry Potter received a clever pass from Ioane Moananu. Moananu then scored his own try by capitalizing on a rolling maul. Max Jorgensen added to the lead by pouncing on a Jack Bowen grubber in the 19th minute, but the Drua responded through Mesake Doge.
Teddy Wilson, Sid Harvey, and Angus Scott-Young each scored tries, extending the Waratahs’ lead to 36-7 at halftime. Moananu and Fijian Apolosi Ranawai continued to score for the Tahs in the second half. However, the Drua’s Elia Canakaivata, Kitione Salawa, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, and Mayanavanu managed to salvage some dignity for the home team.
Looking Ahead
With this victory, the NSW Waratahs are now focused on their upcoming match against the ACT Brumbies. The team is determined to use this momentum to push themselves further into the finals race.
The road ahead is challenging, but the confidence gained from this win could prove invaluable. As the team prepares for the next big test, the support from fans and the belief in their abilities will be crucial.
The Waratahs have shown that they are capable of overcoming obstacles and delivering strong performances. With the right mindset and strategy, they can continue to build on this success and achieve their goals.
