NSW Waratahs coach Dan McKellar has lauded his side’s “belief in each other” after a battling come-from-behind win over the Otago Highlanders kick-started their Super Rugby season.
The Sydney-based team collected the wooden spoon last year, but a slew of new signings led by Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii has given them fresh impetus.
It was on display in their last-gasp 37-36 win over the Highlanders on Friday evening, with the lead changing hands multiple times before a rousing last-minute try by replacement prop Siosifa Amone got them over the line.
“We spoke pre-game about having belief in each other,” said McKellar, who was in charge for his first game after joining from English Premiership giants Leicester.
“The boys were nervous. There’s a lot of pressure on young blokes’ shoulders off the back of the last couple of years,” he said after the match.
“As coaches, we’re trying to release that pressure. We said, ‘Just believe in yourselves’ and we spoke about being a team that wants to fight for 80 minutes.
“I am really proud of their belief in their fight in that last couple of minutes.”
Along with Amone, Wallabies Max Jorgensen, David Porecki, and Rob Leota also got on the scoresheet with rugby league convert Suaalii at the heart of the action on his debut with a series of classy moves.
“I thought he was good,” McKellar said of Suaalii, who was parachuted into the Australia side for his first game of professional rugby union against England in November.
“You’d like to see the ball in his hands more. But he got into space a couple of times and looked dangerous.
“So that’ll come, the more he learns his role within our attack.”
Waratahs skipper and scrumhalf Jake Gordon admitted it was a relief to get the win.
“There’s definitely relief. It wasn’t perfect,” he said. “There’s plenty to review, but it’s a good start to the year.”
The Waratahs have a bye next week while the Highlanders face Canterbury Crusaders at home.
