Waratahs: 'There were areas that we exploited last time around'

Buoyed by their ACT Brumbies taming, the NSW Waratahs are plotting another hoodoo-busting victory over the Chiefs to really ignite their Super Rugby Pacific title hopes.

After snapping an eight-match losing streak in Canberra, the Waratahs are bidding on Saturday for a first win in Waikato since the club’s triumphant championship-winning season in 2014.

New starting scrumhalf Teddy Wilson knows the task is a tall order but says the Tahs are drawing confidence not only from the last-start 30-28 victory over the Brumbies but also last year’s huge upset win over the then-ladder-leading Chiefs in Sydney.

“Yeah, that was a big game. We were obviously at Allianz that time and most people probably didn’t think we were going to win that – the boys turned up,” Wilson said after Friday’s captain’s run in Hamilton.

“There were areas that we exploited last time around and we’ll definitely be looking to do the same tomorrow.

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“We’ve obviously identified where we can exploit them and we have full belief in that game plan and we’ve just got to go out there and execute now and bring that sort of contagious energy coming over to New Zealand.

“Beating the Chiefs will be very special for the boys to remember for a long time, so we’re really excited.”

Wilson says a fast start is paramount for the Waratahs, who can leapfrog the fifth-placed Chiefs and climb back into the top-six finals zone with victory.

“Then we’ve just got to go back to our process and our game plan when things are obviously going to go wrong or we might not have the momentum.

“We’ve just got to keep hammering down, doubling down on what we believe will work for us because we know, if we do that, the momentum will swing.”

With coach Dan McKellar resting Jake Gordon and bringing the Wallabies star off the bench at FMG Waikato Stadium, Wilson is promising to make his own stamp on the match in his first Super start of 2026.

“The coaches always give me confidence to play my game so, if I see space, I’m obviously able to take that,” said the free-running No.9.

“The way we’re playing this year, the Waratahs, we’re looking to play off fast ball and our ruck is really important, so generating that quick ball is super important.

“Then once we do that, opportunities around the ruck will arise so that obviously comes into my game, just being able to spot those opportunities and take them when I can.”