Angus Scott-Young named for first Waratahs start against Moana Pasifika

Former Queensland Reds and Northampton Saints backrower Angus Scott-Young has been named in the NSW Waratahs run-on side for the first time, set to start at blindside flanker against Moana Pasifika on Friday night.

Scott-Young enjoyed a successful stint abroad with the Saints, making the European Champions Cup Final a couple of years ago, before returning to Australia’s shores with the Waratahs ahead of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season.

The loose forward has made a few appearances in cambridge blue off the bench, but has been promoted to the starting side to face Moana. Charlie Gamble and Wallaby Pete Samu round out the backrow trio, with Clem Haloholo shifting to the bench.

Tom Lambert packs down at loosehead prop, joining hooker Ethan Dobbins and tighthead Daniel Botha in an unchanged front-row. Tahs captain Matt Philip joins hulking lock Miles Amatosero as the second row pairing once again.

In the backs, Jake Gordon will join Dean Mumm as the 10^th most-capped Waratah in Super Rugby with appearance number 116. Gordon will link up with Jack Debrezeni in the halves, while Lawson Creighton returns at inside centre.

Creighton missed the round eight defeat away to the Chiefs but is back this week, named in the midfield with Joey Walton. Max Jorgensen, Andrew Kellaway and Sid Harvey make up the outside backs trio for the third match in a row.

“Moana Pasifika will be a significant challenge for us,” McKellar said.

“They’re big, powerful men, who have got the ability to be really dangerous off turnover ball and can go front door or they can go the back door.

“We need to get our game right, but make sure we front up and are ready for what’s going to be a really physical contest.

“Angus is a very reliable, physical and experienced player. It’s just taken him a few weeks to get back in the team, play an A game for us and get some good training weeks on board. I was always going to give him an opportunity at some point in time.”

Prine Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, will be in attendance at this match at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium on Friday. Kick off is at 7:35 pm.

Fixture

Super Rugby Pacific

Waratahs

29 - 14

Full-time

Moana Pasifika

All Stats and Data

NSW Waratahs to take on Moana Pasifika

1. Tom Lambert
2. Ethan Dobbins
3. Daniel Botha
4. Matt Philip ©
5. Miles Amatosero
6. Angus Scott-Young
7. Charlie Gamble
8. Pete Samu
9. Jake Gordon
10. Jack Debreczeni
11. Max Jorgensen
12. Lawson Creighton
13. Joey Walton
14. Andrew Kellaway
15. Sid HarveyReplacements:

16. Folau Faingaa

17. Isaac Kailea

18. Siosifa Amone

19. Angus Blyth

20. Clem Halaholo

21. Jamie Adamson

22. Teddy Wilson

23. Triston Reilly