The NSW Waratahs have made six changes to the starting line-up for Saturday’s Round 16 Swyftx Super Rugby Pacific clash against the Western Force at HBF Park (7.35pm kick-off AEST).
Jamie Adamson, Pete Samu, Jake Gordon, Andrew Kellaway, Joey Walton and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii all come into the team for the final match of our 2026 season.
Waratahs head coach Dan McKellar insists his side want to finish the year with a bang and was happy to see Suaalii back in the team at outside centre.
“We want to finish the season well and make sure that we've got momentum at the back-end of this year,” McKellar said.
“It's incredibly disappointing not to be playing finals. The reality is we've had our chances and haven't taken them, so I don't think there will be any lack of motivation.
“Joseph is a rugby player and when he's fit to play rugby, he plays. It's good to have him back.
“I think he's been disappointed that he hasn't been able string games together during his time at the club so far. Hopefully, off the back of a really good couple of weeks’ of training, he gets out there on Saturday night and just enjoys being back in the Waratahs jersey.”
The front-row is unchanged following last weekend’s 21-14 loss to the Brumbies, with Ioane Moananu shaking off a bout of cramp to take his place at hooker.
Captain Matt Philip again partners Miles Amatosero in the second-row, the combination there in 10 of our 13 games so far this season. In fact, Philip is set to earn his 100th provincial cap, having played for the Western Force (13 caps), Melbourne Rebels (63), Southland (10) and the Waratahs (14, including British & Irish Lions game).
Samu returns to the team at number eight following an MCL injury, meaning Angus Scott-Young shifts to blindside flanker. Charlie Gamble has been ruled out with a thumb injury, meaning Adamson is included at openside.
Gordon returns to the team and partners fly-half Jack Bowen for the first time this season in the halves.
There is a different centre combination in the shape of Walton, who is set to play his final game for the club ahead of a move to Montauban in France in the off-season, and Suaalii, who comes back into the side having missed two games with hamstring tightness.
In the back three, Kellaway is selected at left wing, with Harry Potter and Max Jorgensen completing the back three.
On the bench, Teddy Wilson and Triston Reilly drop down in the backs, while the rest of the reserves remain the same.
Western Force v NSW Waratahs Round 16 Swyftx Super Rugby Pacific, Saturday 30 May, 7.35pm kick-off AEST HBF Park, 310 Pier St, Perth WA 6000
Starting XV:
- Jack Barrett
- Ioane Moananu
- Dan Botha
- Matt Philip ©
- Miles Amatosero
- Angus Scott-Young
- Jamie Adamson
- Pete Samu
- Jake Gordon
- Jack Bowen
- Andrew Kellaway
- Joey Walton
- Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
- Harry Potter
- Max Jorgensen
Replacements:
16. Oniti Finau
17. Isaac Kailea
18. Apolosi Ranawai
19. Ben Grant
20. Clem Halaholo
21. Teddy Wilson
22. Jack Debreczeni
23. Triston Reilly
Injury list:
- Angus Blyth - ankle injury
- Ethan Dobbins – foot
- Austin Durbidge - concussion
- Folau Faingaa – knee
- Charlie Gamble - thumb
- Tom Lambert – knee
