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’ file 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 yr at English heavyweights Leicester, the NSW Board and Rugby Australia pounced on his companies when McKellar grew to become 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. By no means – 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 keen about any staff that I play for or that I coach. I used to be passionate in regards to the Brumbies, and I nonetheless have an unlimited 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 – in regards to the Waratahs. As a coach, you change into linked to not simply the organisation as an entire, however to the folks inside it.”
Dan McKellar says Australian rugby wants the Waratahs to be sturdy. (Picture by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Photographs) (Picture 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 aspect’s revival.
McKellar is aware of solely too nicely 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 remaining a yr later.
Since then, nevertheless, the Waratahs’ slide down the Tremendous Rugby standings has additionally coincided with the Wallabies profitable round 40 per cent of Assessments 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 a very good competitors. I’ve undoubtedly come again a greater coach, there’s completely little doubt,” he mentioned.
“I learnt loads 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, they usually play an enormous function inside the rugby panorama. I’ve spoken many occasions earlier than about how passionate I’m in regards to the sport in Australia.
“Everyone knows that for Australia to thrive we’d like the Waratahs to thrive, and I believe that I might help. In order that’s why I jumped at this rapidly.”
Dan McKellar says he’s a “higher coach” for his time at Leicester Tigers. (Picture 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 may even don’t have 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 may 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 might 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 staff. We’ll have highly effective front-rowers that may play, and a good quantity of strike within the again line as nicely. We need to be certain that these gamers get the ball of their fingers. I believe assault will come fairly naturally to this group.
“However on the identical time, you’ve acquired to have the ability to roll your sleeves up and put your head in a darkish place and be comfy doing it. We’re going to be a staff that loves the darkish arts, and we’re going to like defence. We’re going to be a staff 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. (Picture by Jono Searle/Getty Photographs)
Generally known as a no-frills, demanding coach who runs a good ship, McKellar seems to be precisely what the Waratahs want after dropping their manner over the previous decade.
“I perceive that it comes with the territory and I look ahead to 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 might be of myself.”
Getting the perfect out of Tupou, who might be with the Waratahs in 2025 in what shapes as his remaining season in Tremendous Rugby after three injury-riddled years, might probably outline McKellar’s tenure.
“You’ve acquired to grasp what makes him tick and what motivates him individually – Taniela performs his greatest rugby when he’s joyful and he’s acquired a smile on his face,” he mentioned.
“I’ve acquired a relationship with Nela from my time with the Wallabies.
“He’s a participant that’s, on his day, pretty much as good as any in his place on the earth. And he performs a place that’s extremely essential, it’s the cornerstone of your scrum and your maul. When he will get it proper, he’s extremely harmful.
“For those who present an surroundings the place he’s joyful and he seems like he’s being valued, then I believe you’re a very good 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 onerous work’s essential.”
