It’s the Brumbies invasion few noticed coming 12 months in the past – however now that Dan McKellar is on the Waratahs, the revered coach plans on not simply turning across the Tremendous Rugby franchise’s fortunes, however the nation’s too.
Amid the fallout of the Wallabies’ document defeat final weekend, McKellar quietly slipped into Sydney final week from Europe and instantly turned his intention on masterminding the Waratahs’ revival.
After lasting lower than a 12 months at English heavyweights Leicester, the NSW Board and Rugby Australia pounced on his providers when McKellar turned a free agent in late June. Inside weeks, the Queensland-born former Brumbies head coach was snapped up.
Did he hesitate about sleeping with the enemy after nearly a decade with the Brumbies? Not one bit.
“No, none. In no way – actually,” McKellar advised The Sydney morning Herald in his first interview since signing on as head coach.
“I’m fairly passionate, and I’ll be captivated with any workforce that I play for or that I coach. I used to be passionate concerning the Brumbies, and I nonetheless have an infinite quantity of affection and respect for that organisation and at all times will.
“However I can promise you I’ll be simply as passionate – if no more – concerning the Waratahs. As a coach, you develop into related to not simply the organisation as a complete, however to the folks inside it.”
Dan McKellar says Australian rugby wants the Waratahs to be robust. (Photograph by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Photographs) (Photograph by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Photographs)
Though he gained’t formally begin with the Waratahs till the primary week of November, the revered coach has already turned his consideration to plotting the Tremendous Rugby facet’s revival.
McKellar is aware of solely too effectively the significance of getting the Waratahs again on observe.
When the Waratahs gained their first – and solely – Tremendous Rugby title in 2014, the Wallabies made the World Cup ultimate a 12 months later.
Since then, nonetheless, the Waratahs’ slide down the Tremendous Rugby standings has additionally coincided with the Wallabies profitable round 40 per cent of Exams since 2016.
However all through that point, McKellar’s Brumbies remained one of many few shining lights throughout a darkish interval of Australian rugby.
Certainly, the Brumbies made consecutive Tremendous Rugby semi-final appearances in 2019 and 2022 (Covid-19 interrupted the 2020 and 2021) seasons and their set-piece prowess allowed them to go toe-for-toe with their trans-Tasman opponents.
Though McKellar’s stint at Leicester wasn’t as profitable, the previous prop mentioned he returns to Australia a greater coach for the expertise the place he labored alongside Argentine captain Julian Montoya, Springboks gun Handre Pollard and English stars Dan Cole and Freddie Steward.
“I actually loved it, the Premiership’s an excellent competitors. I’ve undoubtedly come again a greater coach, there’s completely little question,” he mentioned.
“I learnt a lot over there. I’ve come again a greater coach and for me that’s a win.
“The Waratahs are a proud membership with a wealthy historical past, and so they play a large function throughout the rugby panorama. I’ve spoken many occasions earlier than about how passionate I’m concerning the sport in Australia.
“Everyone knows that for Australia to thrive we’d like the Waratahs to thrive, and I feel that I will help. In order that’s why I jumped at this shortly.”
Dan McKellar says he’s a “higher coach” for his time at Leicester Tigers. (Photograph by David Rogers/Getty Photographs)
Regardless of the Waratahs’ bottom-place end in 2024, expectations are already excessive for the NSW franchise to show it round after an lively season within the teaching and participant market.
In addition to bringing on revered Brumbies duo Dan Palmer (forwards) and Lachie McCaffrey (defence), McKellar has lured former World Cup winner turned assistant Mike Catt (assault) on his teaching ticket.
McKellar can even haven’t any scarcity of energy to work with on the Waratahs, with Wallabies Taniela Tupou, Rob Leota and Andrew Kellaway to put on the blue jersey in 2025.
Then there’s Joseph Suaalii, the previous Australian Schoolboy turned NRL star, who can even be at Daceyville after signing his mega three-year, million-dollar deal.
“There’s no lack of expertise with the group,” he mentioned.
Bringing all of the items of the puzzle can be McKellar’s largest problem, however the well-regarded coach mentioned he gained’t merely be copying any earlier techniques and injecting them on the Waratahs.
“We’re going to play a mode that fits the taking part in group,” McKellar mentioned.
“We’re going to have a robust and skilful workforce. We’ll have highly effective front-rowers that may play, and a good quantity of strike within the again line as effectively. We wish to be sure that these gamers get the ball of their fingers. I feel assault will come fairly naturally to this group.
“However on the similar time, you’ve obtained to have the ability to roll your sleeves up and put your head in a darkish place and be snug doing it. We’re going to be a workforce that loves the darkish arts, and we’re going to like defence. We’re going to be a workforce that wishes to stay within the battle, within the 78th-79th minute, to defend your line, and to battle and compete for each scrap.”
Taniela Tupou will now being working together with his former Wallabies assistant Dan McKellar on the Brumbies. (Photograph by Jono Searle/Getty Photographs)
Referred to as a no-frills, demanding coach who runs a decent ship, McKellar seems to be precisely what the Waratahs want after shedding their method over the previous decade.
“I perceive that it comes with the territory and I sit up for that problem,” he mentioned.
“I don’t suppose anybody places any extra stress on me than I placed on myself. I’ll demand excessive requirements of my workers and my gamers, however the highest requirements that I’ll demand of anybody can be of myself.”
Getting the perfect out of Tupou, who can be with the Waratahs in 2025 in what shapes as his ultimate season in Tremendous Rugby after three injury-riddled years, might doubtlessly outline McKellar’s tenure.
“You’ve obtained to know what makes him tick and what motivates him individually – Taniela performs his greatest rugby when he’s blissful and he’s obtained a smile on his face,” he mentioned.
“I’ve obtained a relationship with Nela from my time with the Wallabies.
“He’s a participant that’s, on his day, nearly as good as any in his place on the planet. And he performs a place that’s extremely vital, it’s the cornerstone of your scrum and your maul. When he will get it proper, he’s extremely harmful.
“Should you present an atmosphere the place he’s blissful and he appears like he’s being valued, then I feel you’re an excellent likelihood of getting the perfect out of him. You’re not going to have the ability to sit there and yell and scream at Taniela and hit him with a stick. He’s a participant that appreciates being challenged and he understands that arduous work’s vital.”