Waratahs Coach McKellar Aims for Balance and Fun in Bid to Reignite NSW Rugby
The NSW Waratahs are looking to turn a new leaf this Super Rugby Pacific season, with coach Dan McKellar consciously working to inject more enjoyment and find a better balance within the squad. After a disappointing first year that saw the star-studded team miss out on finals, McKellar, a former Queensland prop, is determined to avoid a repeat of last season’s dramatic drop-off.
While McKellar isn’t expected to emulate the celebratory antics of some coaches, his approach this season is a clear departure from the intense focus that marked his debut year. He acknowledged the need for a shift after the Waratahs’ dominant 36-12 season-opening victory against the Reds, a win that was somewhat tempered by the fact that Queensland was heavily depleted by injuries.
“There’s plenty of learnings out of last year,” McKellar told Wide World of Sports. “The whole program as a whole was probably too intense last year, so we’re getting the balance right at the moment. And obviously winning helps that, when you can go into a shed and have a beer, and enjoy what is a pretty unique environment in a dressing shed.”
McKellar and his new captain, Matt Philip, both acknowledged the effort to foster a more relaxed atmosphere. “Well, it just depends when you see me, you know,” McKellar quipped when asked about his intense reputation. “I can be quite relaxed and very social at the same time. But, no, we definitely have (made a conscious effort to have more fun). And not just myself, it’s every area, you know. Like last year, the physio department wanted to be the best it could possibly be. The S and C (strength and conditioning), the rugby (department). So it’s a lot for the players. We just wanted to say ‘right, let’s start our mornings a bit later, we’ll recover at the beach, and when we train, we’re on.’ But get the balance right around loving coming to work.”
Despite the renewed emphasis on enjoyment, McKellar remains a demanding coach, and his pre-season program was reportedly as gruelling as ever. However, the team’s performance against the Reds, particularly the impact of young star Max Jorgensen, has silenced some of the external doubts that have plagued the club.
Addressing Past Issues and Embracing an Attacking Philosophy
The Waratahs found themselves under scrutiny before the season even began, following an incident where lock Miles Amatosero fractured new recruit Angus Scott-Young’s eye socket during a training session. Captain Matt Philip was pleased that the team could put that “outside noise” to bed with their strong opening performance.
“Yeah, well and truly shut the door on that stuff, we’re into the season now,” Philip stated. “It wasn’t perfect, but we showed a little bit of that attacking Waratahs rugby which we really want to play this year. The best Waratahs teams in my mind have been really attacking and play positive rugby, and I think we showed a little bit of that tonight.”
McKellar, who previously led the ACT Brumbies to consistent finals appearances with a game built on strong forwards and a formidable lineout maul, is looking to blend that trademark physicality with a more expansive style. He drew inspiration from iconic NSW teams of the past.
“We had a week up at Mudgee, and we spoke about teams that we remember in NSW history, and they’ve always had that attacking mindset,” McKellar explained. “You go back to the Ellas (Mark, Glen and Gary), you go back to (David) Campese, you’ve got Matty Burke and Lote (Tuqiri) and those teams. Israel (Folau), obviously. We feel like we’ve got a team that can play a style that is attractive to watch, but we’ve also got to find fun in the hard stuff, and I thought there were signs of that tonight.”
Max Jorgensen: The Future Star Lighting Up the Field
Few players in the world of rugby are as exciting to watch as Max Jorgensen. The 21-year-old celebrated his new five-year contract extension with a dazzling brace of tries against the Reds. His blistering pace and deceptive footwork, particularly his try where he skinned Reds fullback Jock Campbell, are already being hailed as highlights of Super Rugby’s 30th season, placing him in esteemed company with the legends McKellar mentioned.
When asked about his feelings watching Jorgensen in full flight, McKellar’s response was telling. “You’re a fan, aren’t you? You’re like everyone else,” he admitted with a grin. “He’s a unique talent, to score that try against some quality defenders. All I want for Jorgo is to play game on game on game, because if Jorgo is playing the majority of the season, with a few other players that are important there as well, he’ll produce more moments like that, and that’s what we need.”
McKellar believes that dynamic players like Jorgensen are crucial for attracting fans back to the stadiums. “We want to try and get 30,000, 35,000 people here (after getting 16,655 on Friday), and the Max Jorgensens of the world will certainly help that, because they’re players you want to watch live.”
Importantly, McKellar also highlighted Jorgensen’s grounded nature. “But as I’ve said before, I think the best part about Jorgo is he’s just so down-to-earth, so humble. He doesn’t get ahead of himself at all, and he won’t be in there gloating at all. It’ll just be water off a duck’s back for him.”
Looking Ahead: Fijian Drua and Reds’ Challenges
The Waratahs will now turn their attention to their next home fixture against the Fijian Drua next Friday. The Drua are coming off a disappointing 40-26 loss to Moana Pasifika in Lautoka, where visiting captain Miracle Faiilagi was a standout with a hat-trick.
Meanwhile, the Queensland Reds will have a bye in round two and will be looking to field a much stronger side when they host the Highlanders in Brisbane on February 27. For Reds coach Les Kiss, the opening match was far from ideal, particularly with his impending move to a role with the Wallabies.
The Reds were penalised heavily, conceding 17 penalties compared to the Waratahs’ seven, and also had debutant No.8 Vaiuta Latu sin-binned. “We won’t just look at the count but where they were given,” Kiss stated, acknowledging the need for significant improvement in discipline. “We won’t dodge what we have to do in that area either.”
Match Details:
Waratahs 36
* Tries: Max Jorgensen (2), Clem Halaholo, Isaac Kailea, Teddy Wilson
* Conversions: Lawson Creighton (4)
* Penalties: Lawson Creighton
Reds 12
* Tries: Tim Ryan, Joe Brial
* Conversions: Harry McLaughlin-Phillips
