Rugby: Rugby-Waratahs appoint McKellar as new coach

SYDNEY (Reuters) – Dan McKellar was appointed coach of the New South Wales Waratahs for the next three years on Friday, joining new high-performance director Simon Raiwalui in attempting to lead the ailing Super Rugby franchise out of a lengthy slump.

McKellar, who was sacked by Leicester Tigers last month, built ACT Brumbies into the most successful Australian Super Rugby team over a lengthy spell in Canberra and has long been touted as a future Wallabies coach.

“I’m extremely pleased to be joining the NSW Waratahs,” said McKellar.

“Rugby in NSW has a proud history of over 150 years and the Waratahs are the pinnacle of representation within the state. The club fell short of expectations in 2024 but there are building blocks in place to improve on.

“I’m motivated and passionate to deliver a vastly improved performance next season, comprising of consistent efforts that will make the loyal Waratahs fanbase proud.”

The Queenslander replaces Darren Coleman, whose contract was not renewed after he led the Waratahs to last place in this year’s Super Rugby Pacific competition with two wins from 14 matches.

Traditionally the best resourced of Australia’s provincial teams, the Waratahs won the Super Rugby title in 2014 but have not enjoyed sustained success since the departure of Michael Cheika the following year.

Cheika has been appointed to take over from McKellar at Leicester.

Former Fiji coach Raiwalui was appointed to his role at the Waratahs last Friday, and he and McKellar must now focus on locking up the playing personnel for next season after a flood of departures at the end of the last campaign.

“I am confident that the appointments of Dan and Simon will put the Waratahs on the path to delivering sustained success from 2025 and beyond,” said chief executive Paul Doorn.

(Reporting by Nick Mulvenney, editing by Peter Rutherford)