49-cap Wallaby among 9 Waratahs players heading to exit

Nine players have departed the NSW Waratahs following the conclusion of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season, with Andrew Kellaway and Charlie Gamble headlining the list.

Joey Walton, Tom Lambert, Jamie Adamson, Leafi Talataina, Michael McDonald, Jack Debreczeni and Ioane Moananu have also played their final games for the Sydney-based side.

Waratahs director of high performance BJ Mather confirmed the departures and paid tribute to the group.

“On behalf of the Waratahs, I would like to thank all the players that are leaving for the significant contribution they have made to the club, both on and off the field,” Mather said.

“Some have been here for several years, others for less, but every one of them has demonstrated immense commitment to the club and given their all in a Waratahs jersey.”

49-cap Wallaby Kellaway, 30, ends his second stint at the club having first debuted in 2016. He leaves with 42 appearances and eight tries, including two this season. After initially departing in 2018, he built experience across stints in England, Japan and with the Melbourne Rebels before returning ahead of the 2025 campaign.

He also added to his Wallabies tally last year, featuring in nine Tests.

Gamble departs after five seasons with the Waratahs, having joined in 2019.

The flanker made 67 appearances and scored six tries, establishing himself as a consistent presence in the back row. His route to Super Rugby included spells in Sydney’s lower grades after leaving New Zealand, before progressing through the Shute Shield to earn a contract.

Walton, 26, leaves after 57 caps since his 2020 debut. A regular starter in midfield, he earned Wallabies training squad call-ups and featured for Australia A on multiple tours. He also captained the side once, against the Hurricanes in 2025.

Prop Lambert exits with 30 appearances after returning from a stint in Scotland in 2023. He was a regular starter during the Waratahs’ Super Rugby AU-winning season and featured prominently before a knee injury disrupted his 2026 campaign.

Adamson, Talataina, McDonald, Debreczeni and Moananu all leave after shorter stays. Adamson made 21 appearances after joining in 2025, while Talataina featured 13 times following his move from the Melbourne Rebels.

McDonald had two spells at the club and returned in 2025, while veteran Debreczeni played every game this season and brought up 100 Super Rugby caps during the campaign.

Hooker Moananu exits after scoring six tries in eight appearances.