Pete Samu's scapula injury ends his Super Rugby AUS campaign as Waratahs reshuffle for Reds

Wallabies backrower Pete Samu will play no further part in the Super Rugby AUS season after sustaining a scapula injury, forcing NSW Waratahs coach Lachlan McCaffrey to reshuffle his starting side ahead of the weekend’s match against the Queensland Reds.

Samu’s absence is one of two changes to the Waratahs XV, with Tom Girle coming in at blindside flanker and Isaac Fonua joining the loose forward trio alongside Marshall Le Maitre. Justice Taumoepeau, the other player to drop out, is away on representative duty with the Australia U18 side.

The front row remains unchanged, with Australia U20 prop Edwin Langi retaining his place at tighthead alongside Tom Lambert and Ethan Dobbins — the same combination that started against the Brumbies last weekend. Eamon Doyle and Miles Amatosero continue at lock, with Doyle captaining the side.

In the backs, Teddy Wilson and Max Burey again partner in the halves. Burey was named Super Rugby AUS Player of the Tournament in 2025 after helping the Western Force reach the Grand Final against the Waratahs. George Poolman and Otto Serfontein start in midfield, with Freedom Vahaakolo and Latrell Smiler-Ah Kiong on the wings and Sid Harvey at fullback.

McCaffrey was enthusiastic about the opportunities being handed to the two new starters. “Isaac has been impressive over the last 12 months and he gets an opportunity to start. As does Tommy, who was obviously a big part of Easts winning the Shute Shield,” the coach said.

“He will come in at that six-lock position. He’s just a hard-working, tough forward and we watched him over those last probably five, six games of Shute Shield and he was outstanding.”

McCaffrey also reflected positively on last weekend’s performance against the Brumbies, in which the Waratahs scored 33 points to seven in the first half. “Otto in the centres, Latrell on one wing, Freedom on the other — they didn’t look out of place at all. It was just brilliant to see guys like that get an opportunity and then deliver on that stage,” he said.

“All these guys then grow that belief and confidence that they belong at this level. That is what this competition is about and hopefully we see all these players in a Waratahs Super Rugby jersey at some point moving forward.”