21 - 36

36 - 5

38 - 26

21 - 31

57 - 19

57 - 33

21 - 25

44 - 10

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36 - 12

53 - 22

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40 - 26

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52 - 26

33 - 26

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20 - 10

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Thursday

00:10

Thursday

12:00

Super Rugby Pacific

Eliminated Waratahs to go out swinging against Western Force

Ned Lester

Published: 26 May 2026 21:36 PDT

Joseph Aukuso-Suaalii of the Waratahs runs out for the round 12 Super Rugby match between NSW Waratahs and Western Force at Allianz Stadium, on May 01, 2026, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

The Waratahs may not have made the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific playoffs, but that hasn’t stopped coach Dan McKellar from bringing some of his strongest talent back into the matchday 23 for the Tahs’ season finale.

After missing last week’s loss to the Brumbies, Pete Samu, Jake Gordon, Andrew Kellaway, and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii are all back on deck for the trip to Perth.

The Western Force await and have also pulled no punches for their final game of the year, selecting a top squad after emerging as one of the competition’s hottest teams late in the season.

VIDEO

For the Waratahs, it’s the final game for France-bound Joey Walton and the 100th provincial cap for captain Matt Philip.

McKellar emphasised that the squad were eager to sign off on the season on a high note.

“We want to finish the season well and make sure that we’ve got momentum at the back-end of this year,” the coach said.

“It’s incredibly disappointing not to be playing finals. The reality is we’ve had our chances and haven’t taken them, so I don’t think there will be any lack of motivation.

“Joseph is a rugby player, and when he’s fit to play rugby, he plays. It’s good to have him back.

“I think he’s been disappointed that he hasn’t been able to string games together during his time at the club so far. Hopefully, off the back of a really good couple of weeks of training, he gets out there on Saturday night and just enjoys being back in the Waratahs jersey.”

Team Form

Last 5 Games

Wins

Streak

Tries Scored

Points Difference

-6

2/5

First Try

3/5

First Points

2/5

Race To 10 Points

3/5

Waratahs team to play the Force

Jack Barrett
Ioane Moananu
Dan Botha
Matt Philip ©
Miles Amatosero
Angus Scott-Young
Jamie Adamson
Pete Samu
Jake Gordon
Jack Bowen
Andrew Kellaway
Joey Walton
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
Harry Potter
Max Jorgensen

Resrves

16. Oniti Finau
17. Isaac Kailea
18. Apolosi Ranawai
19. Ben Grant
20. Clem Halaholo
21. Teddy Wilson
22. Jack Debreczeni
23. Triston Reilly

Injury list

Angus Blyth – ankle injury
Ethan Dobbins – foot
Austin Durbidge – concussion
Folau Faingaa – knee
Charlie Gamble – thumb
Tom Lambert – knee

LIVE

Comments

1 Comment

KwAussie 96 days ago

So bringing back all the players who contributed to their losses. Breaking up a really good 9 /10 pairing to bring back the 9 with the worst booth and slowest delivery in Super rugby, bringing back the 13 who’s completely lost on the field not knowing where to be or what to do unless Kellaway or someone tells him and who can’t kick, can’t tackle and can only pass - poorly to the left and having one of the best wingers playing at 15 where he’s fast playing his way out of Gold because he doesn’t know how to inject himself and is so much less effective.

Hmmmm! doesn’t seem like a good plan to me. I’m picking them going out on a loss.

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