The NSW Waratahs depart for Perth on Friday to face the Western Force at Scotch College in the Super Rugby AUS final, and for AUS head coach Lachlan McCaffrey, tomorrow’s game looms as a huge chance for the club to start 2027 on the front foot.
After going down to the Western Force 17-12 in the final round of the regular season at Pittwater Rugby Park, the Waratahs have made seven changes to their side, headlined by Teddy Wilson returning to scrumhalf - with George Poolman, Sid Harvey and Miles Amatasero all out.
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However, McCaffrey has used the opportunity to freshen up his side, with seven academy players and Shute Shield stars included.
“We’re a little bashed up, [it’s a] six-day turnaround with travel to Perth,” McCaffrey said to rugby.com.au.
“This week we’ve just tried to freshen up the lads, and the new combos that have come in for this game, we’re trying to give them the best opportunity to play come Saturday afternoon.
“We didn’t really talk about the result [last week], we talked more about how we were disappointed with the way we played. We pride ourselves on competing for every little moment over 80 minutes, and we didn’t do that.
“There was a little bit of complacency in the group after winning the first two games really comfortably, and knowing we were in a grand final. Unfortunately for a young group, that’s part of the learning.
“At the end of the day, if you don’t bring a level of intensity and physicality to a game of rugby, you’re not going to get the desired result.
“The first thing I said to the boys in the sheds is, you learn more after a loss than a win, and I’m sure the expected level of intensity, competition, effort areas, I’m sure they’ll be there [tomorrow].”
While the head coach believes his side will be better for learning, he expects the Force to offer a significant challenge, boasting the likes of several established Super Rugby players and Wallabies.
However, that offers a great opportunity for the men in sky blue, who were right in the contest for all of last week.
The Waratahs have also been in this position before, prevailing 33-26 in last year’s final against the Force in Wanneroo.
“You want to get to a point as a team where you don’t have to have those [complacent] moments, but they are a young group - this is the highest level,” McCaffrey added.
“In terms of experience at the next level, the Force have that in bucketloads compared to what we have this week.
“It’s an awesome opportunity for young guys to test themselves at this next level, and although we don’t have the Super Rugby and international experience like the Force do, I know we’ve got a huge amount of hunger and desire to compete.
“Last year we were massive underdogs going to Perth, we had a young group, showed a huge amount of fight, and won after the bell.
“I’ve talked about that experience [this week], how the desire to compete can surprise more experienced teams, and I’m a big believer that finals games are won by the team that wants it the most.
“We’ve got a really young group of academy players and Shute Shield players that are really hungry to win a game of footy and win a trophy.”
With Michael Cheika set to come into Daceyville in 2027, McCaffrey believes that a second Super Rugby AUS title would be huge to start pre-season preparations off on the front foot, and with good talent vying for positions, could prove pivotal in expanding the side’s depth.
“The most important thing is we make the Waratahs into a team where winning is a habit,” McCaffrey added.
“It doesn’t matter where you’re playing, what competition, if you are pulling on a Waratah jersey, we’ve got to make winning a habit again. This competition has been a good opportunity to see young guys grow and build belief in their talent and ability.
“I want to make the Waratahs into a successful, winning team. Winning on Saturday helps contribute to bringing a winning culture back to the Waratahs, and hopefully it’s a starting point for a successful 2027 with Super Rugby Pacific.”
