The NSW Waratahs enter the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season with renewed attention centered on Joseph Sua’ali’i, one of the most compelling young talents in the global game. 

Ranked No. 25 in the world by FloRugby at just 22 years old, Sua’ali’i gives the Waratahs a genuine focal point as they look to climb after a mid-table finish in 2025.

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That season ended with a 6-8 record and an eighth-place finish, a result that reflected inconsistency, rather than lack of potential. 

While the Waratahs struggled to sustain momentum across the 14-match schedule, the emergence of elite talent within the squad provided a clear indicator of where the upside lies entering a new campaign.

Sua’ali’i’s rise adds a different dimension to the Waratahs’ outlook. 

After transitioning from the NRL to rugby union, his impact was immediate, earning player-of-the-match honors on debut for the Wallabies at Twickenham and reinforcing his status as a rare, cross-code talent. 

Under head coach Dan McKellar and captain Jake Gordon, the Waratahs begin 2026 based at Allianz Stadium with Sua’ali’i’s presence reshaping both their profile and expectations.

NSW Waratahs Super Rugby Pacific Schedule 2026

• Feb. 13: 3:35 a.m.: NSW Waratahs vs. Queensland Reds
• Feb. 20: 3:35 a.m.: NSW Waratahs vs. Fijian Drua
• March 6: 3:35 a.m.: NSW Waratahs vs. Hurricanes
• March 14: 4:35 a.m.: Queensland Reds vs. NSW Waratahs
• March 21: 4:35 a.m.: NSW Waratahs vs. Blues
• March 27: 4:35 a.m.: ACT Brumbies vs. NSW Waratahs
• April 4: 2:05 a.m.: Chiefs vs. NSW Waratahs
• April 17: 5:35 a.m.: NSW Waratahs vs. Moana Pasifika
• April 24: 3:35 a.m.: Crusaders vs. NSW Waratahs
• May 1: 5:35 a.m.: NSW Waratahs vs. Western Force
• May 8: 12:35 a.m.: Highlanders vs. NSW Waratahs
• May 15: 12:35 a.m.: Fijian Drua vs. NSW Waratahs
• May 22: 5:35 a.m.: NSW Waratahs vs. ACT Brumbies
• May 30: 5:35 a.m.: Western Force vs. NSW Waratahs

What Did NSW Waratahs Do In 2025?

The NSW Waratahs finished eighth in the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific standings with a 6-8 record and 26 points, concluding the season outside the playoff positions.

2025 Super Rugby Pacific Standings

1. Chiefs, 11–3 (51 points)
2. Crusaders, 11–3 (49 points)
3. ACT Brumbies, 9–5 (44 points)
4. Hurricanes, 8–1–5 (39 points)
5. Queensland Reds, 8–6 (38 points)
6. Blues, 6–8 (33 points)
7. Moana Pasifika, 6–8 (28 points)
8. NSW Waratahs, 6–8 (26 points)
9. Western Force, 4–1–9 (23 points)
10. Fijian Drua, 4–10 (20 points)
11. Highlanders, 3–11 (20 points)

The NSW Waratahs Coach Is Dan McKellar

Dan McKellar is the head coach of the NSW Waratahs, leading the Sydney-based side into the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season.

When Does The Super Rugby Pacific Season Start?

The 30th season of Super Rugby begins with Round 1 on Feb. 13, with the first game being in Dunedin between the Highlanders and Crusaders at 1:05 a.m. ET. 

Watch The Super Rugby Pacific 2025 Archives On FloRugby

Rewatch every match of the 2025 Super Rugby season on FloRugby and the FloSports app. 

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