The NSW Waratahs have announced a 30-player squad for their first trial match of 2026 against the Reds at Ballymore Stadium on Saturday (2pm kick-off local time, 3pm kick-off AEDT).
Matt Philip will lead his boyhood club from lock, following the announcement yesterday he will be club captain in 2026, partnering former Red Angus Blyth in the second row.
Waratahs head coach Dan McKellar is looking forward to seeing his side back in action for the first time since winning Super Rugby Aus in October last year.
“We’ve had a good pre-season and the boys are eager to get going and play some rugby,” McKellar said.
“We saw from the Reds’ trial against the Force that they had some positive moments both sides of the ball. Having had one more game than us at this stage, we’re expecting them to come out of the blocks and play with a real intensity.
“Travelling to both Brisbane and then onto Canberra next week is a chance to test ourselves against the two best Australian Super Rugby franchises in recent seasons. It’s great preparation and we’re looking forward to seeing transfer from what we have done on the training field.”
The starting front-row from the 33-26 win over the Western Force in the Super Rugby AUS final all retain their places, in the shape of Tom Lambert, Ethan Dobbins and Daniel Botha.
Philip and Blyth form an all Wallaby second-row, with the trio of Clem Halaholo, Jamie Adamson and Leafi Talataina also maintaining the same back-row combination as the Super Rugby AUS final.
Teddy Wilson and Lawson Creighton are named at nine and 10 respectively, forming a dynamic partnership seen in Super Rugby Pacific last year, with new off-season signing George Poolman taking his place at 13 outside the ever-reliable Joey Walton at inside centre.
Wallaby wing Harry Potter will also feature for the Waratahs for the first time and will join exciting youngsters Sid Harvey and James Hendren in the back three, both of whom had an enormous impact on Super Rugby AUS.
15 players take their place on the bench, headlined by another new signing and 38-cap Wallaby Folau Fainga’a.
Following this trial match in Brisbane on Saturday, the Waratahs will wrap up their pre-season preparations with a test against the Brumbies at Marist College on Thursday next week (1.30pm kick-off), before again facing the Reds in Round 1 of Swyftx Super Rugby Pacific at Allianz Stadium on Friday 13 February.
You can buy tickets for the NSW Waratahs’ Round 1 fixture against the Reds at Allianz Stadium on Friday 13 February here
Queensland Reds v NSW Waratahs
Trial match, Saturday 31 January, 3pm kick-off AEDT
Ballymore Stadium, 91 Clyde Road, Herston, Brisbane, Queensland 4006
Starting XV:
- Tom Lambert
- Ethan Dobbins
- Daniel Botha
- Matt Philip ©
- Angus Blyth
- Clem Halaholo
- Jamie Adamson
- Leafi Talataina
- Teddy Wilson
- Lawson Creighton
- Sid Harvey
- Joey Walton
- George Poolman
- Harry Potter
- James Hendren
Replacements:
16. Folau Fainga’a
17. Ioane Moananu
18. Isaac Kailea
19. Jack Barrett
20. Brady Dawson
21. Siosifa Amone
22. Ben Grant
23. Lachlan Hooper
24. Charlie Gamble
25. Isaac Fonua
26. Michael McDonald
27. Jack Bowen
28. Joey Fowler
29. Archie Saunders
30. Leo Jaques
