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New South Wales Waratahs

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New South Wales Waratahs
UnionRugby Australia (New South Wales)
NicknameTahs
Founded1882; 144 years ago (1882)[a]
LocationSydney, New South Wales, Australia
RegionNew South Wales
GroundSydney Football Stadium (Capacity: 42,500)
CoachMichael Cheika
CaptainMatt Philip
Most appearancesBenn Robinson (151)
Top scorerBernard Foley (1,092)
Most triesIsrael Folau (60)
LeagueSuper Rugby Pacific
20268th overall
Playoffs: DNQ
Home kit
Away kit
Official website
nsw.rugby

The New South Wales Waratahs (/ˈwɒrətɑːz/ or /ˌwɒrəˈtɑːz/;),[1] often referred to as the Waratahs, are an Australian professional rugby union team based in Sydney that represents the majority of New South Wales (NSW) in the Super Rugby Pacific competition. The Waratahs play their home games at the new Sydney Football Stadium.

History

[edit]

Amateur era

[edit]
New South Wales team of 1883

The NSWRU (or then, The Southern RFU – SRFU) was established in 1874,[2] and the very first club competition took place that year. By 1880 the SRU had over 100 clubs in its governance in the metropolitan area.

In 1882 the first NSW team (now Waratahs) was selected to play Queensland in a two-match series. The first NSW captain was James Brodie from Wallaroo FC, and NSW won both the games.[3][4][5][6] That same year the first NSW touring squad was selected to go and play in New Zealand.[7][8]

After using various jersey colours through the 1880s for the NSW representative XV, in 1891 the NSWRU changed to now traditional light blue jersey.[9] The NSW team were familiarly known as "the Blues" until a re-branding as "Waratahs" in 1991.[9][10] Tours by the NSW team were first made to New Zealand in 1882,[7][8] Queensland in 1883,[11] Victoria in 1894[12] and Western Australia in 1907.[13]

The 1906 New South Wales team

In 1907, several of the NSW rugby union team's players defected. They included the "superstar", Dally Messenger. These players joined the New South Wales rugby league team against a visiting rebel New Zealand rugby team. This was essentially the birth of rugby league in Australia.[14]: pp.159ff 

During World War I, the NSW (and QLD) Rugby Unions ceased senior competition. The Queensland body however would not reform until 1929, which saw NSW have more responsibilities for Australian rugby. In 1921 a NSW selection toured New Zealand again, and out of their 10 fixtures, won nine games, including the Test.[citation needed]

The first and only (until 1991) NSW team be styled as "Waratahs"[10] were the 1927/28 Waratahs who toured the United Kingdom, France and North America, introducing a style of open, running rugby never seen before, but which has been the stamp of the Australian game ever since. They won 24 and drew two of their 31 official matches. Seven members of this 1927/8 side were from the Drummoyne Rugby Club.[15] Upon returning home, were greeted with a parade through Sydney and a reception at Town Hall. Matches against Queensland would soon resume also.

The 1930s were a particularly successful time for NSW. The height of the success of NSW is best represented by the defeat of the South African Springboks in 1937 at the SCG.[citation needed] NSW Rugby Union would also perform strongly throughout the following decades as well, which included the emergence of footballers such as Trevor Allan, David Brockhoff, Tony Miller, Nick Shehadie, Eddie Stapleton, Ken Catchpole, John Thornett, Peter Crittle and Ron Graham.

In 1963, the Sydney Rugby Union was established for the growth of the game in the city area. The NSW Rugby Union would celebrate its 100th anniversary in 1974. As part of the anniversary celebrations, a match was played at the SCG on 18 May against the All Blacks, though the Waratahs lost nil to 20.[citation needed]

Professional era

[edit]

Super 12: 1996–2005

[edit]
NSW Waratahs playing the ACT Brumbies in 2006

In their inaugural Super 12 season of 1996, the Waratahs won just under half of their games, finishing mid table, with the two other Australian teams finishing above them. The following season of 1997 saw the Waratahs end in a 9th place, winning four fixtures.

In the 1998 season the Waratahs won a best six out of 11 games, ending up in 6th position on the ladder at the end of the season, despite obvious improvements the team had still yet to make a finals appearance. The Waratahs won four fixtures the next season. They won five games in the 2000 season and the 'Tahs finished their season in 9th place.

In 2001 after replicating their 2000 performance, the Waratahs were still out of reach of finals contention, in 8th position. 2002 was a record breaking season for the Waratahs, as the team won eight out of their 11-season games and finished in second place behind the Crusaders – making the semis. However, in the final game of the regular season the Waratahs lost 96–19 (a Super Rugby record). They were defeated by their Australian rivals the Brumbies, 51–10, in the Waratahs' first ever semi-final. The combined score over the two weeks was Brumbies/Crusaders 147 v. Waratahs 29.

In the 2003 season the Waratahs missed a place in the finals, finishing in 6th position on the ladder at the end of the regular season. In 2004 the Waratahs made a promising start to their season with three straight wins. The team finished 8th on the Super 12 table, six points out of the finals. That year coach Ewen McKenzie re-introduced the end of season tour, taking place in Argentina that year. In 2005, they had their best regular season, finishing second in the table, before losing to the Crusaders in the 2005 Super 12 Final.

Super 14: 2006–2010

[edit]

The Waratahs finished 3rd on the regular season table for the 2006 Super 14 season, in which two new teams entered the expanding tournament, the Force and Cheetahs. In the last home match of the regular season, the Waratahs hosted the Hurricanes, which they lost 14 to 29. The news that star league recruit Wendell Sailor had tested positive to an illegal substance and thus faced a career ending ban from the game was an unwelcome intrusion on the Waratahs semifinal build up. The following week, the semi-finals, they again faced the Hurricanes, though away in Wellington. The Waratahs made their exit, losing 16 to 14. Wendell Sailor later received a two-year ban from the game, marring a season that had promised so much.[16]

The 2007 Super 14 season was the most disappointing for the team and its supporters with the Waratahs winning only three games, against the Lions, the wooden spoon winning Reds, and the Hurricanes in the final round gaining a final placing of 13th out of 14. Despite the poor performance the 2007 season saw the emergence of teenage rugby prodigy Kurtley Beale and proved to be a vital rebuilding stage in the Waratahs super 14 championship run.

The 2008 season began well for the NSW Waratahs, with solid pre-season wins and a solid opening game victory against the Hurricanes 20–3. The 'Tahs secured their 500th win since their formation in their Fourth round match against the Brumbies. After starting the season in a slow but solid manner the 'Tahs began to play their best rugby in their mid season match with the Blues, scoring their first four try bonus point of the season. The Waratahs then continued on a roll finishing their home season with another impressive 4 try bonus point win against title front runners the Sharks, advancing to second place on the ladder. An average South African trip saw the team slip to third on the ladder after only notching up 3 competition points, due to a loss to the Bulls (7 or less BP) and a satisfactory draw against other title contenders the Stormers. The Waratahs faced the Reds in the final round with a win securing second place, combined with a home semi-final win over the Sharks, moved them up to their first Super 14 final against the Crusaders, which they later lost 12–20.

In the last two seasons of the Super 14 format, the Waratahs failed to make the final on both occasions after narrowly missing the finals (on points difference) in 2009 and qualifying for the semi-final in 2010. They finished 5th and 3rd in respective years, losing to the Stormers in the semi-final of the 2010 season.

Super Rugby: 2011–present

[edit]
Waratahs and Brumbies during the 2012 Super Rugby season

In the 2011 season, the Waratahs again failed to reach the final. On this occasion, their season ended when they were eliminated by the Blues in the qualifying final after finishing 5th in the overall standings in the revamped competition. The following two seasons were very bleak by comparison. Coach Chris Hickey parted ways with the club at the end of the season with Michael Foley taking over the reins for 2012. The Waratahs finished well outside finals contention in 2012 in 11th place. This brought about another change in the coaching department with Michael Cheika for 2013. His impact was not immediate as the Waratahs failed to make the finals for a second consecutive season finishing 9th overall.

In 2013, the Waratahs qualified for the final series for the first time since 2008, securing fourth place overall and hosting a quarterfinal at the Sydney Football Stadium, where they fell to their Northern rivals, the Queensland Reds 12–14.[17]

2014 Premiership Season
[edit]

The second season under coach Michael Cheika saw a new expansive style of rugby implemented which gave birth to exciting running rugby, bringing dwindling crowds back in force with home games averaging at around 19,152 people in attendance.[citation needed]

The running intent of Michael Cheika was quickly revealed after the team saw two fly halves announced in the starting game against Western Force. The Waratahs opening match not only saw Kurtley Beale's return, scoring one try and having a hand in several others, but it was also a showcase to reveal the Tahs new weapon; Israel Folau. Folau highlighted Cheika's intent scoring a hat-trick of tries in what was soon to be a season of all-out attack by the Waratahs. Not only did the Waratahs score the most points in the opening match out of any team with a 43–21 score, but they also had the second largest winning margin of 22 points.

The Waratahs went on to win the Australian conference with 13 more points than the team that came in at second place, the Brumbies, and came in as the number one team 7 points ahead of the competition. The Waratahs were in the driver's seat advancing straight through to the semi-finals; the club's 8th semi-final appearance. After the Brumbies defeated the Chiefs 32–30, the Brumbies advanced to compete against the Waratahs. The Waratahs displayed a show of force in their performance against an in-form Brumbies team, decimating them 26-8 granting the Waratahs a home final. The final, held at Stadium Australia, was host to 61,823 spectators. With two tries a piece, six penalties each, and the Crusaders up 32–30, only one conversion made the difference. The turning point in the game was a penalty at the 79th minute by the famous New Zealand flanker, Richie McCaw 45 metres out. Bernard Foley's penalty 45m out right in front of the post gave the Waratahs' a lead 33–32. The Waratahs had finally won a Super Rugby Championship.[18]

2016–2019
[edit]
Lineout between the Hurricanes and Waratahs in 2015

The competition underwent significant format disruptions starting in 2016, when it expanded to 18 teams by adding Japan's Sunwolves and South Africa's Southern Kings, but this led to scheduling complexities that prompted SANZAAR to announce reductions back to 15 teams for 2018, axing the Kings, Cheetahs, and the Western Force.[19][20] The 2017 season retained the 18-team structure with a conference system featuring four groups, two South African (Africa 1 and Africa 2), one Australian, and one New Zealand, where each team played 15 matches plus two byes, and finals included the four conference winners plus the next four highest-ranked teams regardless of conference.[21][22]

Super Rugby AU, Trans-Tasman
[edit]

The 2020 season was suspended after round seven due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with no finals series held and international travel bans preventing cross-border fixtures.[23][24] In 2021, the tournament was restructured into domestic competitions: Super Rugby AU for Australian teams and Super Rugby Aotearoa for New Zealand, followed by a brief Trans-Tasman crossover series among the top teams from each.[25] Throughout this period the Waratahs were struggling on the field; their 2021 season had been dubbed a "crisis" after five rounds without a win.[26] By the time the season had concluded in June, having played eight domestic matches followed by five Trans-Tasman matchups, the Waratahs had finished with an 0–13 record,[27] the equal worst losing streak in Australian rugby.[28] The winless season was only the third in Super Rugby history and the first for an Australian team, following the Bulls in 2002, and the Lions in 2010.[27]

Super Rugby Pacific
[edit]

The Waratahs' historic losing-streak, which had extended to 538 days by the first round of the inaugural season of the Super Rugby Pacific, was ended following a 40–10 win against the Fijian Drua at Western Sydney Stadium in Parramatta.[29][30] The win also doubled as the first Waratahs victory to begin a Super Rugby campaign since 2018,[29] and marked the start under new coach Darren Coleman. The Waratahs embraced an expansive, high-tempo style which saw the team return to finals football against for the first time since 2018. They were ultimately eliminated in the quarter-finals by the Chiefs, but the season was widely viewed as evidence that the team had regained its competitive identity.[31] Jed Holloway's performances earned him the Matt Burke Cup as the club's player of the year.[31] After a further two seasons, and a 2–14 record in 2024 to finish last in the competition, Darren Coleman departed the club.[32]

In 2025, the Waratahs had appointed Dan McKellar on a three-year deal. McKellar had previously been the coach of rival club, the Brumbies.[33] In the off-season, the team had made a raft of new signings, including the acquisition of much lauded rugby league convert Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i in a multimillion dollar deal from cross-town team the Sydney Roosters,[34] as well as Test-capped forwards who joined the team following the exit of the Melbourne Rebels from the Super Rugby: Taniela Tupou,[35] Isaac Aedo Kailea,[36] and Rob Leota.[37] Despite a poor 2024 season, the expectations on the Waratahs team going into 2025 were noted as considerably high, with a post-season tour match against the British & Irish Lions also lined up.[38] The Waratahs kicked off the 2025 season with three consecutive victories, the first time they had done so since 2009.[39] They sat second on the table after four rounds, as all four of Australia's Super Rugby teams made a positive start.[40] The Waratahs form dipped as they then followed up with just two wins from four games leading into the bye round, although they claimed an upset victory over the Chiefs in Sydney to preserve their perfect home record for the season.[41][42] By the end of the regular season, the injury-stricken Waratahs[43] were comprehensively beaten by 40 points by the Blues in a decisive must-win encounter, ending their potential finals hopes.[44] In their post-season match against the British & Irish Lions, the Waratahs produced a courageous, defence-first performance in a 21–10 loss, repeatedly shutting down attacks with aggressive line speed and composure to record Australia's strongest showing of the tour despite several TMO interventions that ruled out or reviewed multiple tries.[45][46] After trailing 5–14 at half-time following two Huw Jones tries and a Darby Lancaster response, the Tahs narrowed the margin early in the second half through Ethan Dobbins before a costly error from fly-half Jack Bowen led to the Lions' decisive third try.[45][46] While the inexperienced Waratahs attack struggled with poor passing, kicking and game management, their defence forced Lions mistakes and prevented the second-half scoring avalanche that was expected, with further Lions tries also disallowed.[45][46] It was the most competitive match between the two teams since their 1989 encounter.[47]

Similar to the previous season, the Waratahs kicked off 2026 positively with two home wins before a bye in round three. They did not win again until round seven against the Brumbies, ending an eight-year losing streak in Canberra.[48] The Waratahs only managed five wins from 14 games, a decline from last year.[49] In a post-season review, The Sydney Morning Herald showed that since their 2014 Premiership season, the Waratahs have missed the finals nine times, with a strike rate at 30%, compared to the ACT Brumbies whom had a strike rate of 77%.[49] They added that while the Waratahs were the fourth-highest ranked team in the competition for 22-metre entries, they were the second-worst team in converting those entries into tries.[49] In late June 2026, coach Dan McKellar, who had another year on his contract, resigned.[50] It was reported by The Australian that it was not a guarantee he would stay,[51] although McKellar stated that his departure was for personal reasons.[52] Following his exit, the Waratahs were searching for a fourth head coach in six years.[53]

In August 2026, the Waratahs announced the appointment of former head coach of the Waratahs Michael Cheika on a two-year deal beginning in 2027.[54]

Identity

[edit]
[edit]
The waratah is the NSW state flower and emblem of the rugby team

The "Waratahs" name has since 1991[10] been the name for the New South Wales Rugby Union (NSWRU) representative team, and was continued when NSW entered the Super Six, Super 10 and Super 12 competitions.

The name and emblem comes from the waratah, the state flower for New South Wales.

The NSW Waratahs commonly play in a Cambridge Blue jersey[55] since 1891[9] and navy blue shorts, blue having a long sporting association with the state and a famous rivalry with the red/maroon colour of Queensland.[56] Longtime sponsors HSBC featured on the front of the jersey until the final time when they played Argentina in August 2013.

The 2014 season saw Volvo as the Waratahs new major sponsor, after a number of years being minor sponsors with 'sleeve presence' on the previous jersey. An alternative white strip is also used. In pre-season of 2006, the Waratahs donned a New Jersey scheme in a trial game against the Crusaders. This system saw traditional rugby playing numbers on the back of jerseys replaced with the initials of the player. The current jersey is made by ISC and is Cambridge blue with navy side panels, collar and cuffs, with the alternate strip being white with five Cambridge blue hoops, collar and cuffs.

The NSW team have worn the Cambridge blue jersey since adopted by the NSWRU in 1891.[9] The team's jerseys in its 1882 debut season were navy blue, then heather green 1883-85, and various shades of cardinal/maroon 1886-1890.[57] The light blue jersey and navy blue pants were established in 1897 and have been in effect ever since.[57]

Team song

[edit]

At the end of every winning game, the Waratahs sing the following song:[58]

"We are the mighty Waratahs
Rough and tumble rugby stars
We play the game as it should be played

Famous when we run the ball
We can scrum and ruck and maul
Playing the game as it should be played

Waratahs, Waratahs
We play the game as it should be played
Famous when we run the ball
We can scrum and ruck and maul
Playing the game as it should be played

We are the mighty men in blue
We will take the game to you
We play the game as it should be played

We've got talent
We've got heart
We will tear your team apart
Playing the game as it should be played

Waratahs, Waratahs
We play the game as it should be played
We've got talent
We've got heart
We will tear your team apart
Playing the game as it should be played"

—Waratahs website, Team song Archived 19 June 2015 at the Wayback Machine

Sponsorship

[edit]

In Super Rugby the Waratahs have featured the following sponsors:

Period Apparel supplier Period Principal sponsor
1992–2006 Canterbury 1992–1996Hahn
1996–1997AAMI
1998–2000Citibank
  HSBC
2007–2009ISC 2000–2013
2010–2019    
Canterbury 2013–2015Volvo
  2016–2021Daikin
2020XBlades 2022 No sponsor
2021–presentISC 2023-2024 NRI

Region

[edit]

Stadium

[edit]
New South Wales stadia location(s).

Until 2019, the Waratahs played at the old Sydney Football Stadium (SFS) in Sydney's Moore Park. The capacity for the stadium was 45,500. The Waratahs shared the ground with Sydney FC and the Sydney Roosters.

In 2009, the Waratahs signed a multimillion-dollar deal with Stadium Australia which saw them play at least one game per season at the Sydney Olympic Park stadium until 2015.[59]

As well as the SFS, the Waratahs have on occasion played fixtures at other stadiums throughout the state. During the Australian Provincial Championship, in which the Waratahs had two fixtures, the games were taken to the Central Coast Stadium in Gosford, and the other to Bathurst. The Waratahs also played trial matches at Campbelltown Stadium in 2008 and 2015. During the 2018 Super Rugby season, the Waratahs played one home game at Brookvale Oval and one at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

With the SFS closed for demolition and rebuilding as the Sydney Football Stadium (2022) from 2019 to 2022 home games were split between the new Western Sydney Stadium, the Sydney Cricket Ground, Brookvale Oval and even outside of Sydney at Hunter Stadium in Newcastle.[60]

In the inaugural edition of the Super Rugby AUS competition, the Waratahs played one home match at Narrabri's Dangar Park.[61][62]

Moore Park (Sydney) Parramatta (Sydney) Moore Park (Sydney) New Lambton (Newcastle) Narrabri
Sydney Football Stadium Western Sydney Stadium Sydney Cricket Ground Newcastle International Sports Centre Dangar Park
Capacity: 42,500 Capacity: 30,000 Capacity: 48,000 Capacity: 33,000 Capacity: 5,000

Players

[edit]

Current squad

[edit]

The squad for the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season is:

2026 NSW Waratahs squad

Props

Hookers

Locks

Loose forwards

Scrum-halves

Fly-halves

Centres

Outside backs

(c) denotes the team captain.
Bold denotes internationally capped players.
* denotes players qualified to play for Australia on residency or dual nationality.
ST denotes a short-term signing.
  1. ↑ Called into the squad ahead of Round 14.[63]
  2. ↑ Signed in November 2025.[64]
  3. ↑ Called into the squad ahead of Round 1.[65]
Source: [66]

Super Rugby AUS

[edit]

The squad for the 2026 Super Rugby AUS competition is:

2026 NSW Waratahs Super Rugby AUS squad

Props

Hookers

Locks

Loose forwards

Scrum-halves

Fly-halves

Centres

Outside backs

(c) denotes the team captain.
Bold denotes internationally capped players.
* denotes players qualified to play for Australia on residency or dual nationality.
  1. ↑ Fuhiniu wasn't named in the original Super Rugby AUS squad, but was announced in the side for Round 3.[67]
  2. ↑ Burey wasn't named in the original Super Rugby AUS squad, but was announced in the side for Round 1.[68]
  3. ↑ Dillon wasn't named in the original Super Rugby AUS squad, but was announced in the side for Round 1.[68]
Source: [69]

Development teams

[edit]

The New South Wales Waratahs own and manages two National Rugby Championship teams, the Sydney Rays and NSW Country Eagles. These NRC teams draw on a range of players ranging from full-time professionals to those on incentive contracts. These teams are closely aligned with the Waratahs and are based at Moore Park, the training venue used by the Waratahs.

Outside of the NRC season, many of these players are retained in the Gen Blue (NSW A) team, which is the Waratahs elite development squad just below full-time professional level. The Sydney Rays and NSW Country Eagles also field Under 19 teams.

Gen Blue (NSW A)

[edit]

The Gen Blue team plays matches against interstate and international representative teams, and has also competed in tournaments such as the Pacific Rugby Cup. Known by various names over the years including NSW A, Waratahs A, Gen Blue, and Junior Waratahs, the team is selected from the best emerging rugby talent in New South Wales. The squad is composed of Waratahs contracted players, extended training squad members, New South Wales Under 19s, and selected Shute Shield club players.[70]

Under-19

[edit]

Two New South Wales teams, Sydney Rays U19 and NSW Country Eagles U19, play in the national URC competition. Prior to 2008, state colts teams at under 21 and under 19 age levels were fielded in national tournaments and competitions such as the Trans-Tasman Trophy.[71] These colts teams were consolidated as under 20s ahead of the inaugural World Rugby U20 Championship. In 2018, an under 19 age limit was reinstated for the national colts team competition.

Awards

[edit]

Player of the Season

[edit]

The Matthew Burke Cup is awarded to the best Waratahs player at the end of each season:

Rookie of the Season

[edit]

The Chris Whitaker Medal, or Chris Whitaker Aspiring Waratah Medal, is presented to the team's most promising or stand-out young player and is named in honour of the former Waratahs and Wallabies halfback Chris Whitaker.[83] It was inaugurated in 2006.[84]

Coaches

[edit]
As of 30 June 2026.

All head coaches of the New South Wales Waratahs since the Super Rugby era (1980s), listed by order of the first game in charge of the team are:

Key
* Caretaker/Interim coach
New South Wales Waratahs coaches (since 1985)[b]
Coach Tenure P W D L W% Refs
Start End
Amateur era
Brian O'Shea 29 January 1985 December 1986 10 6 0 4 60 [101]
Paul Dalton December 1986 October 1987 7 5 0 2 71 [102]
Dick Laffan 1988 August 1990 24 13 0 11 54 [103]
Rod Macqueen 20 August 1990 4 August 1992 19 14 1 4 74 [104][105]
Greg Smith 1992 6 October 1995 39 25 1 13 64 [106]
Professional era
Chris Hawkins October 1995 26 August 1996 22 14 0 8 64 [107][108]
Matt Williams 1997 1999 33 14 2 17 42 [109]
Ian Kennedy 2000 11 5 0 6 45 [109]
Bob Dwyer 2001 2003 34 19 15 0 56 [110]
Ewen McKenzie 2004 2008 66 37 2 27 56 [109]
Chris Hickey 2009 2011 44 28 0 16 64
Michael Foley 2012 16 4 0 12 25
Michael Cheika 18 September 2012 2 April 2015 51 33 0 18 65 [111][112][113]
Daryl Gibson 27 June 2015[c] 21 June 2019 64 28 1 35 44 [114][115]
Rob Penney 2 October 2019 28 March 2021 19 5 0 14 26 [116][117]
Jason Gilmore 28 March 2021 1 July 2021 8 0 0 8 N/a [117]
Chris Whitaker
Darren Coleman 1 July 2021 31 May 2024 44 16 0 28 36 [118][119][120]
Dan McKellar 5 July 2024 29 June 2026 29 11 0 18 38 [121][122]
Michael Cheika November 2026 [54]

Honours

[edit]

Professional era

[edit]

Statistics

[edit]

Records

[edit]
As of 26 November 2014.[123]

Statistics in this section include only those pertaining to Super Rugby matches (1996–present). They do not include any matches prior to this period (1882–1995). Records for "in a season" include finals games unless otherwise stated.

Team records

[edit]

Individual records

[edit]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ↑ Established in 1882, the clubs first match played during the Super Rugby era was in 1996.
  2. ↑ Since the inception of the first Super Rugby comepetition(s), the South Pacific Championship.
  3. ↑ Although Daryl Gibson was confirmed as the new coach of the Waratahs on 2 April 2015, he would not take over the position from Michael Cheika until the season had concluded.
  4. ↑ The Sydney Morning Herald claims 64,[126] while the New South Wales Rugby Union states 65.

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ Waratah. CollinsDictionary.com. Collins English Dictionary – Complete & Unabridged 11th Edition. Retrieved 21 September 2012
  2. ↑ Fagan, Sean (25 December 2013). "NSWRU'S FOUNDING CLUBS OF 1874: WHERE ARE THEY NOW?". — saintsandheathens.com —. Retrieved 12 July 2026.
  3. ↑ Fagan, Sean (12 July 1926). "THE GREAT WALLAROO LAND SWINDLE". WALLAROOFC1870.com. Retrieved 12 July 2026.
  4. ↑ "The Intercolonial Football Match". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney: National Library of Australia. 14 August 1882. p. 6. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
  5. ↑ "The Queensland v. Combined Team Football Match". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney: National Library of Australia. 24 August 1882. p. 6. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  6. ↑ "The Queensland Footballers in Sydney". The Sydney Mail. Sydney: National Library of Australia. 26 August 1882. p. 347. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  7. 1 2 "Football". The Evening News (Sydney). Sydney: National Library of Australia. 29 August 1882. p. 3. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
  8. 1 2 "The First N. S. W. Football Team in New Zealand". The Sydney Mail. Sydney: National Library of Australia. 4 November 1882. p. 803. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
  9. 1 2 3 4 "NSW WARATAHS JERSEYS". — saintsandheathens.com —. 6 August 2014. Retrieved 12 July 2026.
  10. 1 2 3 "New South Wales need rebranding as true Waratahs".
  11. ↑ "QUEENSLAND RUGBY HISTORY". — saintsandheathens.com —. 26 November 2010. Retrieved 12 July 2026.
  12. ↑ "VICTORIA RUGBY HISTORY". — saintsandheathens.com —. 26 November 2010. Retrieved 12 July 2026.
  13. ↑ Fagan, Sean (14 October 2013). ""WESTWARD HO!" : 1907's FORGOTTEN WARATAHS". — saintsandheathens.com —. Retrieved 12 July 2026.
  14. ↑ Sean Fagan & Dally Messenger III (2007). The Master: The Life and Times of Dally Messenger, Australia's first sporting superstar. Australia: Hachette. ISBN 9780733628993.
  15. ↑ "About the Club". Drummoyne District Rugby Football Club. 1 March 2009. Archived from the original on 26 January 2014. Retrieved 15 June 2013.
  16. ↑ "Cocaine use ends Wendell Sailor's career". Theage.com.au. 21 July 2006. Retrieved 15 June 2013.
  17. ↑ Tucker, Jim (13 July 2013). "Queensland Reds beat NSW Waratahs 14–12 in Super Rugby clash at ANZ Stadium". News.com.au.
  18. ↑ Fox Sports, © 2015 Fox Sports. Cited 09/02/14, available at: http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/super-rugby/match-centre/match-stats?matchid=SRU20142201
  19. ↑ "A timeline of events: How the ARU axed the Force from Super Rugby". ESPN. 11 August 2017.
  20. ↑ Harris, Bret (22 May 2018). "Super Rugby is gravely ill but its last breath is yet to be taken". The Guardian.
  21. ↑ "Outline of the Super Rugby competition structure" (PDF). New Zealand Rugby. 1 May 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 October 2015.
  22. ↑ "New Zealand Rugby welcomes Investec Super Rugby revamp" (Press release). New Zealand Rugby. 9 April 2017.
  23. ↑ "Coronavirus pandemic prompts NRL to continue for now but review all options including suspension". ABC News. 15 March 2020.
  24. ↑ "Report: Super Rugby to shift to 12-team format in 2022, introduce two Pacific teams". RugbyPass. 5 November 2020.
  25. ↑ "2021 set for thrilling Trans-Tasman crossover". Rugby.com.au. 13 November 2020.
  26. ↑ Phillips, Sam (19 March 2021). "'There is a lot of soul searching going on': Waratahs crisis deepens after Rebels thumping". The Sydney Morning Herald. Nine Entertainment.
  27. 1 2 Doran, Christy (12 June 2021). "0–13: Waratahs hit astonishing low as season from hell ends in even more misery". Fox Sports Australia. News Corp Australia.
  28. ↑ Harris, Bret (8 June 2021). "Waratahs in crisis: how did it all go so horribly wrong for NSW?". The Guardian.
  29. 1 2 Decent, Tom (18 February 2022). "Waratahs break 538-day Super Rugby winless streak by downing Drua". The Sydney Morning Herald. Nine Entertainment.
  30. ↑ "Waratahs snap winless streak against newcomers Fijian Drua in inaugural Super Rugby Pacific match". ABC News. 19 February 2022.
  31. 1 2 "NSW Waratahs 2022 Season Award Winners revealed". nsw.rugby. New South Wales Rugby Union. 22 July 2022.
  32. ↑ Mitchell, Brittany (21 May 2024). "Where it all went wrong for Coleman and the Waratahs". ESPN.
  33. ↑ Worthington, Sam (5 July 2024). "'Their partnership marks an exciting new frontier': Wooden spoon NSW Waratahs land crack new coach". Nine.com.au.
  34. ↑ Khan, Jo (25 March 2023). "NRL star Joseph Suaalii to switch codes for three-year contract with Rugby Australia". Guardian Australia. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  35. ↑ Drennan, Jonathan (2 August 2024). "'It's a big weight off my shoulders': Tupou relieved to finally seal move to Tahs". The Sydney Morning Herald. Nine Entertainment. Archived from the original on 2 August 2024.
  36. ↑ Drennan, Jonathan (22 August 2024). "Rebuilding Waratahs sign another Wallaby – and Rebel – for 2025". The Sydney Morning Herald. Nine Entertainment. Archived from the original on 22 August 2024.
  37. ↑ "Wallabies enforcer Rob Leota joins the NSW Waratahs". waratahs.rugby. New South Wales Rugby Union. 31 July 2024. Archived from the original on 1 August 2024.
  38. ↑ "Five key talking points for the NSW Waratahs and 2025 Season". super.rugby. SANZAAR. 8 January 2025.
  39. ↑ Walton, Darren (8 March 2025). "Waratahs open season with three wins in a 16-year first". The Canberra Times. Australian Community Media. Archived from the original on 10 March 2025.
  40. ↑ Fontaine, Angus (20 March 2025). "Australia's Super Rugby revival helping to prime Wallabies for Lions challenge". The Guardian.
  41. ↑ "Waratahs savour 'special' win over table-topping Chiefs". super.rugby. SANZAAR. 11 April 2025.
  42. ↑ "NSW Waratahs Keep Unbeaten Home Record Intact with Sensational Win over Chiefs". waratahs.rugby. New South Wales Rugby Union. 11 April 2025.
  43. ↑ "NSW Blues: Tahs' Super finals hopes buried at Eden Park by clinical hosts". super.rugby. SANZAAR. 31 May 2025.
  44. ↑ Drennan, Jonathan (31 May 2025). "Waratahs' season over after humiliating defeat in Auckland". The Sydney Morning Herald. Nine Entertainment. Archived from the original on 1 June 2025.
  45. 1 2 3 "Game Review: British & Irish Lions v NSW Waratahs – Lions Tour – Saturday, 5 July 2025". Green and Gold Rugby. 5 July 2025.
  46. 1 2 3 Morton, Finn (5 July 2025). "NSW Waratahs players ratings vs British & Irish Lions | 2025 Lions series". RugbyPass.
  47. ↑ "125 years of rivalry – Waratahs and the Lions". lionsrugby.com. British & Irish Lions. 13 June 2013.
  48. ↑ "Waratahs stun Brumbies to end eight-year losing streak at Canberra Stadium". The Canberra Times. 27 March 2026.
  49. 1 2 3 Payten, Iain (2 June 2026). "Blue it again: Five graphs that explain another failed Waratahs season". The Sydney Morning Herald. Nine Entertainment.
  50. ↑ Pandaram, Jamie (29 June 2026). "NSW Waratahs coach Dan McKellar quits role with a year on his contract". Code Sports. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 30 June 2026.
  51. ↑ Doran, Christy (26 June 2026). "Dan McKellar faces nervous wait on future at Waratahs". The Australian. News Corp Australia.
  52. ↑ Worthington, Sam; Doran, Christy (29 June 2026). "Wallabies gun 'really upset' as 'world-class' coach walks". Nine.com.au. Nine Entertainment.
  53. ↑ Payten, Iain (29 June 2026). "Turbulent Tahs hunt fourth head coach in six years after McKellar exit". The Sydney Morning Herald. Nine Entertainment.
  54. 1 2 Payten, Iain (19 August 2026). "'Wake-up call for us': Waratahs brace for change after Cheika return is confirmed". The Sydney Morning Herald. Nine Entertainment. Retrieved 20 August 2026.
  55. ↑ NSW Rugby. "Waratahs and NSW Rugby History". Retrieved 21 May 2013.
  56. ↑ "ORIGIN OF STATE COLOURS". — saintsandheathens.com —. 6 August 2014. Retrieved 12 July 2026.
  57. 1 2 "NSW WARATAHS JERSEYS". — saintsandheathens.com —. 6 August 2014. Retrieved 12 July 2026.
  58. ↑ "Waratahs Team Song". waratahs.com.au. New South Wales Rugby Union. Archived from the original on 29 April 2013.
  59. ↑ Rugby Heaven [dead link]
  60. ↑ "Waratahs announce Newcastle Super Rugby game". The Roar. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  61. ↑ Wasiliev, Nick (17 June 2025). "Rugby Australia confirms new domestic Super Rugby AUS competition to kick off in September". Rugby.com.au. Archived from the original on 10 July 2025.
  62. ↑ "Dangar Park | Austadiums". AUStadiums.
  63. ↑ "Eight Waratahs changes for must-win Fijian Drua clash". NSW Waratahs (Press release). 13 May 2026. Retrieved 13 May 2026.
  64. ↑ "NSW Waratahs snaps up Scott-Young for Super Rugby return". NSW Waratahs (Press release). 17 November 2025. Retrieved 17 November 2025.
  65. ↑ "Seven possible debutants named in NSW Waratahs squad for Round 1 clash with Reds". NSW Waratahs (Press release). 11 February 2026. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  66. ↑ "NSW Waratahs squad confirmed for 2026 Swyftx Super Rugby Pacific season". NSW Waratahs (Press release). 6 November 2025. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
  67. ↑ "Grover inclusion among four changes for Force tie". NSW Waratahs (Press release). 23 September 2026. Retrieved 23 September 2026.
  68. 1 2 "Doyle leads Waratahs for first time against Brumbies in Bungendore". NSW Waratahs (Press release). 9 September 2026. Retrieved 9 September 2026.
  69. ↑ "Reigning champions Waratahs name 38-player squad for 2026 Swyftx Super Rugby Aus". NSW Waratahs (Press release). 31 August 2026. Retrieved 31 August 2026.
  70. ↑ "Gen Blue and the Pacific Rugby Cup". Waratahs Rugby. 2014. Archived from the original on 7 October 2014. Retrieved 27 January 2015.
  71. ↑ "Annual Report 2004" (PDF). NSW Rugby1.0 MB. 2004. p. 14. Archived (PDF) from the original on 28 February 2014. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
  72. ↑ Robinson, Georgina (2 September 2016). "Super Rugby 2016: Michael Hooper wins fourth straight Matt Burke Cup Player's Player award". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
  73. ↑ Newman, Beth (1 September 2017). "Hooper makes it five from five at Waratahs". Rugby.com.au.
  74. ↑ Newman, Beth (20 September 2018). "Folau snaps Hooper's Matthew Burke Cup run". Rugby.com.au.
  75. ↑ "Hooper claims sixth Matt Burke Cup". Rugby.com.au. 29 July 2019.
  76. ↑ "2020 NSW Waratahs Awards: Hooper secures seventh Matt Burke Cup". Waratahs Media. 1 October 2020.
  77. ↑ Williamson, Nathan (11 October 2021). "Izaia Perese wins Matt Burke Cup after breakout Waratahs season". rugby.com.au.
  78. ↑ "NSW Waratahs 2022 Season Award Winners revealed". nsw.rugby. New South Wales Rugby Union (NSWRU). 22 July 2022.
  79. ↑ "Hooper and Duck take out top honours at Waratahs 2023 awards night". nsw.rugby. New South Wales Rugby Union (NSWRU). 7 August 2023.
  80. ↑ "2024 NSW Waratahs Season Awards Winners". nsw.rugby. New South Wales Rugby Union (NSWRU). 8 June 2024.
  81. ↑ "Langi Gleeson and Georgina Friedrichs Win Top Honors at NSW Waratahs Awards Night". waratahs.rugby. New South Wales Rugby Union. 17 June 2025. Archived from the original on 1 July 2025.
  82. ↑ "Jorgensen and Whitaker take out top honours at 2026 Season Awards". waratahs.rugby. New South Wales Rugby Union. 23 July 2026. Retrieved 17 August 2026.
  83. 1 2 "Sensational Sid scoops another honour". The Courier. 31 July 2026.
  84. 1 2 "Siale and Turner boost Waratahs' backline stocks". ESPN. 14 July 2006.
  85. ↑ "2010 Waratahs Rugby Annual Report" (PDF). New South Wales Rugby Union. p. 9.
  86. ↑ "2011 Waratahs Rugby Annual Report" (PDF). New South Wales Rugby Union. p. 9.
  87. ↑ Warren, Adrian (8 August 2012). "Dennis wins Waratahs rugby award". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  88. ↑ "Michael Hooper voted Waratahs Player of the Year". super.rugby. SANZAAR. 29 August 2013.
  89. ↑ "NSW Waratahs 2014 Annual Report" (PDF). New South Wales Rugby Union. p. xvii.
  90. ↑ "NSW Waratahs 2015 Annual Report" (PDF). New South Wales Rugby Union. p. xii.
  91. ↑ "Michael Hooper wins fourth consecutive Matthew Burke Cup Players' Player". rugby15.co.za.
  92. ↑ Edwards, Richard (3 September 2017). "2017 NSW Rugby Awards". Green and Gold Rugby.
  93. ↑ Newman, Beth (20 September 2018). "Folau snaps Hooper's Matthew Burke Cup run". Rugby.com.au.
  94. ↑ "NSW Waratahs lock in Johnson-Holmes and Swinton till 2022". sydneyunirugby.com.au. Sydney University Football Club. 27 September 2019.
  95. ↑ "2020 NSW Waratahs Awards: Hooper secures seventh Matt Burke Cup". nsw.rugby. New South Wales Rugby Union. 1 October 2020.
  96. ↑ Williamson, Nathan (11 October 2021). "Izaia Perese wins Matt Burke Cup after breakout Waratahs season". Rugby.com.au.
  97. ↑ "NSW Waratahs 2022 Season Award Winners revealed". Rugby.com.au. 22 July 2022.
  98. ↑ "Max Jorgensen wins RUPA Newcomer of the Year award". nsw.rugby. New South Wales Rugby Union. 16 November 2023.
  99. ↑ "2024 NSW Waratahs Season Awards Winners". nsw.rugby. New South Wales Rugby Union. 18 June 2024.
  100. ↑ "Langi Gleeson and Georgina Friedrichs Win Top Honors at NSW Waratahs Awards Night". nsw.rugby. New South Wales Rugby Union. 17 June 2025.
  101. ↑ Gatt, Ray (1 February 1985). "Rugby has to be fun, says the new coach". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 45, 895 (Late ed.). John Fairfax and Sons. p. 31.
  102. ↑ Webster, Jim (10 October 1987). "Dalton cites Jones as his reason for quitting NSW". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 46, 734 (Late ed.). John Fairfax and Sons. p. 76.
  103. ↑ "Laffan slams officials for switch to Suva". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 46, 903. John Fairfax and Sons. 25 April 1988. p. 46.
  104. ↑ Wilkins, Phil (21 August 1990). "Drummoyne say SRU inquiry is a vendetta". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 47, 723 (Late ed.). John Fairfax and Sons. p. 43.
  105. ↑ Wilkins, Phil (5 August 1992). "Macqueen bows out – mum on Waratahs' woes". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 48, 334 (Late ed.). John Fairfax and Sons. p. 40.
  106. ↑ "Premier coach tipped for NSW". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 49, 330. John Fairfax and Sons. 10 October 1995. p. 42.
  107. ↑ FitzSimons, Peter (12 October 1995). "Coach Hawkins 'always wanted blues'". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 49, 332. John Fairfax and Sons. p. 53.
  108. ↑ Growden, Greg (29 August 1996). "Hawkins: how the axe fell". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 49, 607. John Fairfax and Sons. p. 48.
  109. 1 2 3 Howitt 2005, p. 326.
  110. ↑ "Bob Dwyer". en.espn.co.uk. ESPNscrum. Archived from the original on 12 September 2019. Retrieved 7 March 2023. In 2001 Dwyer became headcoach of Super Rugby's Waratahs and took them to the semi-final in 2002. He resigned in 2003 and became the New South Wales' development officer.
  111. ↑ Robinson, Georgina (18 September 2012). "Cheika appointed Waratahs coach". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  112. ↑ "Michael Cheika confirmed as Waratahs coach". The Australian. 18 September 2012. Archived from the original on 18 September 2012.
  113. ↑ "Cheika takes the reins at wounded Wallabies". South China Morning Post (SCMP). 22 October 2014.
  114. ↑ Pandaram, Jamie (4 April 2015). "New Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson steeled for any challenge after avoiding family tragedy". The Courier-Mail.
  115. ↑ "Super Rugby: NSW Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson resigns". Fox Sports Australia. 21 June 2019.
  116. ↑ Payten, Iain (2 October 2019). "Developing homegrown talent a focus for Waratahs' new Kiwi coach Penney". rugby.com.au. Rugby Australia (RA).
  117. 1 2 Doran, Christy (28 March 2021). "Waratahs sack Rob Penney after winless start". Fox Sports Australia.
  118. ↑ "NSW Waratahs coach Darren Coleman won't get a new contract after two win season". Fox Sports. 20 May 2024. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  119. ↑ Decent, Tom (1 July 2021). "Coleman's wild ride from sleepy South West Rocks to Waratahs' hot seat". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  120. ↑ Doran, Christy (1 July 2021). "'More clubs than Tiger': Veteran coach Coleman's grand vision to rebuild 'broken' Waratahs". Fox Sports Australia.
  121. ↑ Media, Waratahs (5 July 2024). "Dan McKellar joins the NSW Waratahs as Head Coach". waratahs.rugby. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  122. ↑ Pandaram, Jamie (29 June 2026). "NSW Waratahs coach Dan McKellar quits role with a year on his contract". Code Sports. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 30 June 2026.
  123. ↑ "Waratahs team statistics". Waratahs. 16 September 2014. Archived from the original on 15 June 2015. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  124. ↑ Decent, Tom (12 June 2021). "Waratahs finish 2021 without a win as Perese's Wallabies call-up in doubt". The Sydney Morning Herald. Nine Entertainment.
  125. ↑ Doran, Christy (12 June 2021). "0–13: Waratahs hit astonishing low as season from hell ends in even more misery". Fox Sports Australia. News Corp Australia.
  126. 1 2 Payten, Iain (13 February 2026). "Who makes the cut in our NSW Waratahs dream team?". The Sydney Morning Herald. Nine Entertainment. Known as the "Cat", Robinson is the third and final pick of the trio. He never looked like an elite athlete but his freak strength at scrum time was loved by teammates, and his work around the paddock was too. No surprise, then, that Robinson holds the record for most Waratahs Super caps, with 151. Just beats out Richard Harry and fan favourite Matt Dunning, and Angus Bell, who will probably end up on this list in 2046.
  127. ↑ "2023 NSW Rugby Union Annual Report" (PDF). New South Wales Rugby Union. 2023. p. 17. In his last season at the Waratahs, Michael Hooper was awarded the Matthew Burke Cup for a record eighth time. Hooper's outstanding form also saw him voted player of the year by his peers and he finished with 65 matches as captain, which is more than any other NSW captain.
  128. ↑ "Australia star Folau breaks Super Rugby all-time try record". The42.ie. 6 April 2019.
  129. ↑ "NSW Waratahs | 2014 Annual Report" (PDF). New South Wales Rugby Union. p. vii. Israel Folau was the tournament's joint top try scorer with 12 tries, and teammate Bernard Foley became the tournament's leading points' scorer, and also surpassed the NSW Super Rugby record for the most points in a season, with 252. Folau and Hooper were jointly-named Super Rugby Players of the Year

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