Super Rugby profile: New South Wales Waratahs

Finishing in sixth place last season, the New South Wales Waratahs have room for improvement ahead of the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific campaign.

Head coach Darren Coleman will be seeking improvement this year after seeing his side win six of their 14 games over the last regular season.

With some fresh faces joining the squad along with a returning halfback, it will be interesting to see if the Tahs can make up ground on some of the pre-tournament favourites.

The Waratahs are available at 23.00 to go all the way and win the grand final in 2024. 

Ground to make up

With the likes of the Chiefs and Crusaders looking so strong last season, the rest of the pack in Super Rugby are playing catch-up.

The Brumbies went the furthest of the Australian teams last year and the Waratahs will be determined to try and leapfrog their rivals this term. 

Key players

Australia winger Mark Nawaqanitawase made the shock announcement he would be making the move to rugby league in 2025 but the Waratahs will enjoy one last season of the trymachine’s services.

With electric pace and great footwork, Wallabies winger Nawaqanitawase will certainly be a threat in the wide channels for the Tahs.

Skipper Jake Gordon at scrumhalf will play a key role with his leadership and keeping up the tempo of the Waratahs’ attack.

In the forwards, new arrivals Kunavula and Amatosero will add real size to the Waratahs’ pack and can have a huge impact in that area for a side eager to make up ground on their rivals in New Zealand and at home.

New signings

The Waratahs have been busy in the offseason, with a number of fresh faces joining the ranks.

Fijian International Mesu Kunavula and penned a one-year deal and will bring a huge presence to the second or back-row. 

A talented sevens player also, Kunavula has speed and an offload game to go with his sizeable frame in the pack.

Kunavula will be joined by countryman Vuate Karawalevu, following his decision to switch back from rugby league.

Melbourne Rebels hooker Theo Fourie joined over the offseason, with versatile forward Fergus Lee-Warner also signing on a two-year deal.

Ned Slack-Smith has signed from the Western Force, along with former Saracens and La Rochelle prop Hayden Thompson-Stringer.

Man mountain Miles Amatosero has returned to Australia after a spell with Clermont in France and will be eager to impress, while the Tahs welcomed back halfback Jack Grant.

Opening fixtures

The Waratahs will kick-start the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific campaign off on 24th February when they travel to rivals Queensland Reds.

A trip to Canterbury to face the Crusaders follows on 2nd March, before the Waratahs’ first home game of the season at Allianz Stadium against the Highlanders on 8th March.