Waratahs make seven changes to chase back-to-back Super Rugby AUS titles in Perth

NSW Waratahs coach Lachlan McCaffrey has named seven changes to the side beaten 17-12 by the Western Force last weekend, as the Tahs prepare to face the same opponents in the 2026 Super Rugby AUS Grand Final in Perth.

Scrum-half Teddy Wilson, rested for the final regular-season match at Warringah Rugby Club after a demanding Super Rugby Pacific campaign and a Shute Shield title win with Easts, returns at No. 9 to partner reigning Super Rugby AUS Player of the Tournament Max Burey in the halves.

McCaffrey has made four changes to the forward pack. Prop Edwin Langi and lock Tom Girle come into the tight five, while backrowers Joe Mangelsdorf and Marshall Le Maitre earn starting berths. Randwick centres Charlie Bird and Nick Chan complete the seven alterations, with five Shute Shield players and several Super Rugby Pacific squad members named in the run-on side.

Captain Eamon Doyle leads from lock, with Tom Lambert and Ethan Dobbins completing the front row alongside Langi, and Isaac Fonua starting at No. 8. Otto Serfontein and Freedom Vahaakolo line up on the wings, with Latrell Smiler-Ah Kiong at fullback.

For the second successive year, the Force will host the Grand Final decider — a consequence of winning last weekend’s top-of-the-table clash to secure home advantage. The Waratahs, who claimed the title 12 months ago in Perth, arrive having won two and lost one through the regular rounds — an identical record to the one they carried into last year’s final.

“We are in the same boat as we were last year before the Super Rugby AUS Grand Final, with two wins and one loss through the regular rounds,” McCaffrey said. “We will learn more after a loss like we had against the Force at the weekend. It is better preparation for a final, as we can take learnings from it and put them into practise in training this week.”

McCaffrey also pointed to the hunger within his squad as a key selection driver. “In terms of selection, we’ve gone with strong combinations with seven Academy and five Shute Shield players chosen to start who are hungry to compete and prove themselves at this next level. We have fond memories of going over to Perth for the final last year and we will have another crack to become back-to-back Super Rugby AUS champions.”