Waratahs vs Highlanders takes: Suaalii lived up to hype, ex-7s star shines

The NSW Waratahs have started their new era under coach Dan McKellar with an unforgettable 37-36 win over the Highlanders at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium. It came right down to the wire, with the visitors defending desperately on their own line, but the Tahs wouldn’t be denied.

Siosifa Amone was one of the heroes for the Waratahs, with the replacement showing enough strength and determination to score in the 79^th minute. Jack Bowen still had a job to do though, with the playmaker’s conversion sending the home side into a frenzy.

After a tough season in 2024, the Waratahs and their fans have something to smile about to start the new campaign, with a star-studded squad that includes plenty of Wallabies doing just enough on the night.

Here are three takeaways from the Waratahs’ thrilling win.

 

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Big money signing Suaalii has lived up to all the hype

At the Super Rugby Pacific season launch in Sydney’s Little Bay last week, there was one man that every journo wanted to speak with. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii has been the talk of the town in Australian rugby since making the move over from the NRL last year, and with good reason.

Suaalii debuted for Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies before playing even a single minute of Super Rugby for the Waratahs, let alone any club rugby in Shute Shield. But after receiving Player of the Match honours against England, any criticisms of Suaalii’s place in the squad were put to rest.

Fast forward to Valentine’s Day.

With heavy rain forecast for later in the night, thousands sat down and braced for any conditions Mother Nature was set to throw their way, all for the opportunity to watch that man Suaalii take the field for Dan McKellar’s new-look Waratahs.

It was fitting that the ground announcer started with Suaalii when running through the Tahs’ team before the match. Many let out a cheer as the Waratahs’ new dawn beckoned. It’d been a long time coming but Suaalii is now officially a Waratah.

After leaping above Super Rugby debutant Michael Manson to claim a high ball inside the first two minutes, Suaalii backed that effort up with a perfect touch-finder shortly after. That was the start of a superb debut that saw the 21-year-old run for 73 metres and beat three defenders.

With strong carries drawing in defenders all night, combined with an ability to offload the ball, Suaalii proved a headache for the Highlanders. While there’s been plenty of talk about his big money deal with Rugby Australia, there’s no doubt Suaalii has lived up to all the hype.

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Caleb Tangitau is one to watch this season

The Highlanders have found a Super Rugby gem in Caleb Tangitau.

Tangitau, 21, only played five games for the Blues before moving down south. On the 3^rd of July, 2024, the Highlanders unveiled Tangitau as one of five new signings set to bolster the squad ahead of this year’s Super Rugby season.

The former New Zealand U20 and All Blacks Sevens representative has an impressive rugby CV for someone so young – one that includes numerous tries on the now-called HSBC SVNS Series and a Commonwealth Games appearance – but Super Rugby is a different beast.

Under new Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph, Tangitau was given a chance to shine in the opening round of the 2025 season, and the young winger certainly made the most of that opportunity early on with a stunning try in the fifth minute.

Tangitau beat established Wallaby Andrew Kellaway with sheer pace and determination to score down the left edge. It was a promising start for the flyer, who went on to run for more than 120 metres during 70 minutes of playing time.

Then, out of nowhere, the speedster scored another with 16 minutes left to play.

Incredible.

It wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows though, it must be said.

Just before the half-time break, Tangitau was sent to the sin bin.

But rather than being negative or letting one moment overshadow an otherwise promising club debut, let’s recognise Tangitau’s performance for what it was: the start of what very well could be a breakout year for a proven try-scorer with plenty of pace.

Taniela Tupou, take a bow

Taniela Tupou walked off the field with 56 minutes up on the clock.

Tupou shuffled towards the right touchline with a well-earned look of fatigue on his face. The prop had put in a mighty shift opposite All Black Ethan de Groot, and those efforts were by no means in vain with fans cheering and even clapping the front rower off the park.

Whether it was in attack, defence, or at the breakdown, Tupou was a force to be reckoned with once again. Having spoken with Tupou alongside other reporters last week, this writer can say the Wallaby appeared fit and eager to impress, which this performance backs up.

When Tupou made way four minutes before the one-hour mark, the world-renowned tighthead was the equal fifth-best Waratah for carries. There was a lot that went unnoticed in terms of stats too, with Tupou working really hard in general play around the park.

If we look back at last season, it wasn’t unheard of to see Tupou play as little as 30 minutes for either the Melbourne Rebels or Wallabies. But the front-rower is truly focused on doing the sky blue jersey justice, which can only bode well for the Wallabies before the Lions Series too.