Rugby Union News: Dan McKellar Appointed as New South Wales Waratahs Head Coach
In a move aimed at reigniting the fortunes of the New South Wales Waratahs, the club has confirmed the appointment of Dan McKellar as their new head coach. This comes just weeks after McKellar’s departure from his role with Premiership side Leicester Tigers, who have since brought in former Wallabies coach Michael Cheika as his replacement.
The Waratahs wasted no time in securing McKellar’s services, with the experienced coach set to work closely with newly appointed High-Performance Director Simon Raiwalui as the team looks to embark on a “new frontier” for rugby in New South Wales. McKellar, who has enjoyed previous success with the Brumbies in Super Rugby and served as an assistant for the Wallabies, is confident that he can lead the Waratahs to a vastly improved performance in the upcoming season.
“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.”
Waratahs CEO Paul Doorn expressed his delight at securing McKellar’s services, stating, “We’re delighted to have a head coach of Dan McKellar’s calibre joining the Waratahs. Dan has an impressive coaching resume and achieved great success with the ACT Brumbies in Super Rugby during his five-year tenure. Dan will work closely with High-Performance Director Simon Raiwalui, and their partnership marks an exciting new frontier for the Waratahs.”
With the combination of McKellar’s expertise and Raiwalui’s leadership, the Waratahs are poised to embark on a new chapter, aiming to deliver sustained success from 2025 and beyond. Rugby enthusiasts in New South Wales will be eagerly anticipating the team’s resurgence under the guidance of the experienced coaching duo.
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