The Waratahs’ mid-season dip isn’t the only headache developing for coach Dan McKellar, with the Brumbies targeting the Tahs’ most experienced five-eighth, Tane Edmed, as a replacement for departing playmaker Noah Lolesio.
After winning their first three games of the Super Rugby Pacific season, the Waratahs crashed to a third loss in their last four via a second-half capitulation against Moana Pasifika in Auckland on Saturday.
Leading 21-7 at halftime, the Waratahs defence wilted in the second half as the Ardie Savea-led Moana Pasifika side scored six tries to win 45-28. The Tahs’ tackle effectiveness slumped from 87 per cent in the first half to 75 per cent in the second, where they missed 20 tackles.
The Waratahs have conceded 102 points in the past two games and with competition leaders the Chiefs next up in Sydney on Friday, defence will be a big focus for McKellar this week.
Fending off a raid for Edmed by his former club will also be on McKellar’s agenda, however, after news emerged last week that Lolesio had signed to play in Japan for next year, and possibly two years.
Lolesio’s departure after six seasons at the Brumbies, and uncertainty around the playing future of 31-year-old deputy Jack Debreczeni, has left Stephen Larkham looking at a major re-build of his No.10 stocks.
Tane Edmed is a target for the Brumbies.Credit: Getty
The versatile Declan Meredith and Junior Wallaby five-eighth Joe Dillon are also on the Brumbies’ books but informed sources say Larkham is keen to get Edmed to Canberra.
Edmed, who made a short-lived Wallabies debut against Ireland last year, has 49 Super Rugby caps for the Waratahs across five seasons but has been only been a semi-regular fixture in the side since McKellar took over this year.
He started the first two games, before coming off the bench behind Lawson Creighton for the next four. The 24-year-old was then left out altogether for the Moana Pasifika clash, with Jack Bowen coming off the bench at North Harbour Stadium.
Captain Jake Gordon is hoped to be back from a knee injury this week and the return of his leadership will be critical to the Waratahs re-finding their feet at Allianz Stadium on Friday night. The Tahs are undefeated at home this year, and broke a 13-game drought against the Brumbies last month to keep it going. They’re on a nine-game losing streak to the Chiefs, dating back to 2017.
Matt Philip is heading back to NSW.Credit: GETTY
Meanwhile, the Waratahs will welcome back a former member of their academy next season after Rugby Australia and NSW confirmed the signing of 31-Test lock Matt Phillip.
Phillip, 31, has been playing in Japan for Canon in Japan since leaving after the 2003 Rugby World Cup in France, but said he had been keen to come home to play for his home state and take a shot at selection for the 2027 Rugby World Cup. The former Rebels and Force lock will also be eligible for Wallabies selection for British and Irish Lions series.
“I’m a Sydney boy. I was there through the academy and 20s system … “It’s a bit of a full circle for me coming back around to play for the Waratahs, a club I’m really passionate about,” Philip said.
Meanwhile, the powerhouse Waratahs women’s side will be chasing their sixth title in eight seasons on Saturday, after thumping the Western Force 54-17 in the Super Rugby Women’s semi-finals.
The Waratahs will meet arch-rivals Queensland in the grand final at North Sydney Oval, after the Reds survived a late rally to beat the Fiij Drua women 54-40 in the other semi-final at Ballymore.
Desi Miller carrying the ball for the Waratahs.Credit: Getty Images
NSW – the defending champions – proved too good for the Force in the second half at Leichhardt Oval, after starting strongly and seeing off a brief fightback from the visitors ahead of the halftime break, that saw the Force claw back from 19-0 to 19-12.
But three tries from Georgina Friedrichs after halftime re-asserted the NSW dominance, and the floodgates opened late. The Waratahs forward pack was dominant, and Friedrichs and winger Desi Miller were outstanding in the backs.
But the Waratahs’ win came at a price, with injury concerns for the decider. Impressive flanker Leilani Nathan stretchered off with a serious knee injury and star Wallaroos wing Maya Stewart also came off with hamstring issues.
It will be the fourth grand final between the Waratahs and Reds in the history of Super Rugby Women’s, and the Reds have a real shot at winning their first. The Queenslanders looked slick in their rout of the Drua, with Charlotte Caslick and inside centre Shalom Sausao both catching the eye with incisive skill and power.
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