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NSW Waratahs
37
80
Highlanders
36
| J. Bowen |  | 80 | ||
| S. Amone |  | 79 | ||
| 72 | | C. Millar | ||
| 71 | | S. Kautai | ||
| S. Amone | | 67 | ||
| 64 | | S. Gilbert | ||
| 63 | | C. Tangitau | ||
| M. Jorgensen | | 61 | ||
| 57 | | S. Gilbert | ||
| 56 | | V. Lasaqa | ||
| T. Edmed | | 47 | ||
| D. Porecki | | 46 | ||
| 44 |  | S. Gilbert | ||
| T. Edmed | | 40 | ||
| T. Edmed | | 34 | ||
| R. Leota | | 33 | ||
| 26 | | S. Gilbert | ||
| 25 | | T. Tavatavanawai | ||
| T. Edmed | | 10 | ||
| 5 | | C. Tangitau |
| 5 | Tries | 5 | ||
| 3 | Conversions | 4 | ||
| 2 | Penalty Goals | 1 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Show Preview
Cross-code star Joseph-Aukuso will wear the No.15 jersey in his Super Rugby debut for the Waratahs as they launch their 2025 season at 7.35 AEDT at Allianz Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and updates.
After training across multiple positions, McKellar settled with fullback first-up – the same position former Wallabies coach Michael Cheika, who was pivotal in Israel Folau’s transition to the game – to tackle the Highlanders in their season opener in Sydney on Friday night.
Suaalii is one of seven new faces to the Waratahs, with Wallabies Taniela Tupou and Rob Leota also included in their season opener.
In total, there are 12 Wallabies in McKellar’s first up team, with Isaac Kailea, one of the breakout stars under Joe Schmidt in 2024, missing selection.
Kailea’s absence points to the star-studded squad McKellar has at his disposal, with Tom Lambert selected on the bench behind Angus Bell.
“Probably the hardest one (team) I had to pick,” McKellar said. “It was so competitive. We’ve got all but three players available for selection.
“A number have been with us the whole time. A number have been with us for three weeks.
“After all the work by the ‘S and C [Strength-Conditioning,] medical groups and other coaches, to have most players available for selection made it difficult.
“That’s what you want. You want to have to make the tough decisions. And we’re confident we’ve picked a team that’s ready to perform well on Friday.”
McKellar said Suaalii’s selection at fullback was about trying to get him an involved as possible.
“We’re just looking to have him involved in the game, aren’t we?” he said.
“We’re not playing under-8s, let’s just give it to Joseph, but he’s a point-of-difference player that we want to have in the game.
“He’s got a number of different strengths, and we look to build the game around making sure that he gets access to use those.”
Bell, Dave Porecki and Tupou combine in an all-Wallabies front-row.
The Test trio can expect a difficult first-up challenge, with All Blacks star Ethan de Groot to go head-to-head with Tupou.
Experience forward Hugh Sinclair partners rising lock Miles Amatosero, while Leota starts for the first time alongside Charlie Gamble and Langi Gleeson in the back-row.
It’s the same backline that drew against the Brumbies in their sole trial earlier this month, with one-capped playmaker Tane Edmed partnering captain Jake Gordon in the halves.
It’s an exciting back three, with Andrew Kellaway, who is poised to play his first Super Rugby match for the Waratahs since 2017, combining with Max Jorgensen and Suaalii.
Mahe Vailanu is back at hooker, while Siosifa Amone joins Lambert on the bench.
Former Hurricanes and Force lock Ben Grant provides bench cover alongside ex-England sevens international Jamie Adamson, while Jack Grant and Jack Bowen are provide backline cover alongside Wallaby Darby Lancaster.
Highlanders head coach Jamie Joseph has named seven debutants.
Taine Robinson will start at No. 10 ahead of Cameron Millar, while Nathan Hastie starts at No. 9 with Folau Fakatava on the bench.
Joseph said that Fakatava had meniscus surgery after the NPC and hadn’t played a full part in the Highlanders’ preseason, opening the door for Hastie.
Teams
WARATAHS (1-15): Angus Bell, Dave Porecki, Taniela Tupou, Hugh Sinclair, Miles Amatosero, Rob Leota, Charlie Gamble, Langi Gleeson, Jake Gordon (c), Tane Edmed, Max Jorgensen, Joey Walton, Lalakai Foketi, Andrew Kellaway, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.
Replacements: Mahe Vailanu, Tom Lambert, Siosifa Amone, Ben Grant, Jamie Adamson, Jack Grant, Jack Bowen, Darby Lancaster.
HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Ethan de Groot, Soane Mikaele Vikena, Saula Ma’u, Fabian Holland, Mitch Dunshea, Lui Naeata, Sean Withy, Hugh Renton (co-c), Nathan Hastie, Taine Robinson, Caleb Tangitau, Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-c), Tanielu Tele’a, Michael Manson, Sam Gilbert
Replacements: Henry Bell, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Sefo Kautai, Nikora Broughton, Veveni Lasaqa, Folau Fakatava, Cameron Millar, Finn Hurley
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant Referees: Graham Cooper & Matt Kellahan
TMO: Ollie Kellett.
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Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.