2018 New South Wales Waratahs season

New South Wales Waratahs

2018 season
Coach	Daryl Gibson
Chairman	Roger Davis
Super Rugby	1st (Australian conference) 3rd (Overall)
Super Rugby finals	Semi-finals
Top try scorer	League: Taqele Naiyaravoro (15 tries)
Top points scorer	League: Bernard Foley (223 points)
Home colours Away colours
← 2017 2019 →

The 2018 New South Wales Waratahs season was the club's 22nd season since the inception of Super Rugby in 1996.

Squad

Current squad

For player movements before and during the 2018 season, see List of 2017–18 Super Rugby transfers § Waratahs.

The squad for the 2018 season: ^{[1] [2] [a] [b] [c]}

Waratahs Super Rugby squad
Props Harry Johnson-Holmes Sekope Kepu Tom Robertson Paddy Ryan Matt Sandell Shambeckler Vui Cody Walker Kalivati Tawake ST [c] Hookers Damien Fitzpatrick Tolu Latu Hugh Roach JP Sauni Locks Ned Hanigan Ryan McCauley Nick Palmer Rob Simmons Tom Staniforth	Loose forwards Jack Dempsey Jed Holloway Michael Hooper Maclean Jones Kelly Meafua Will Miller Lachlan Swinton Michael Wells Brad Wilkin Scrum-halves Jake Gordon Nick Phipps Nick Duffy ST [a] Mitch Short ST Michael Snowden ST [b] Fly-halves Bernard Foley Bryce Hegarty Mack Mason	Centres Kurtley Beale Lalakai Foketi Alex Newsome Irae Simone Wingers Cameron Clark Andrew Kellaway Taqele Naiyaravoro Curtis Rona Fullbacks Israel Folau
(c) Denotes team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped and ST indicated short-term cover. Duffy was not included in the original squad, but was named in their matchday squad for their match against the Jaguares. [3] Snowden was not included in the original squad, but was named in their matchday squad for their match against the Rebels. [4] Tawake was not included in the original squad, but was named in their matchday squad for their match against the Sharks. [5]

Transfers

See also: List of 2017–18 Super Rugby transfers § Waratahs

In: Player Position Previous club Notes Harry Johnson-Holmes Prop New South Wales Country Eagles Kalivati Tawake Prop Fijian Drua Short-term contract Shambeckler Vui Prop Western Force Cody Walker Prop Sydney Rays JP Sauni Hooker Auckland Nick Palmer Lock Hawke's Bay Rob Simmons Lock Queensland Reds Tom Staniforth Lock Brumbies Kelly Meafua Flanker Greater Sydney Rams Will Miller Flanker Rebels Lachlan Swinton Flanker New South Wales Country Eagles Nick Duffy Scrum-half Sydney Rays Short-term contract Mitch Short Scrum-half Western Force Short-term contract Michael Snowden Scrum-half Rebels Short-term contract Kurtley Beale Centre Wasps Lalakai Foketi Centre Bay of Plenty Alex Newsome Centre Western Force Curtis Rona Centre Western Force

Out: Player Position Previous club Notes Dave Lolohea Prop Sydney Rays Sam Needs Prop New South Wales Country Eagles Angus Ta'avao Prop Chiefs David McDuling Lock Sydney Rays Dean Mumm Lock Retired Will Skelton Lock Saracens Senio Toleafoa Lock Nevers Matt Lucas Scrum-half Brumbies Andrew Deegan Fly-half Connacht Rob Horne Centre Northampton Saints Dave Horwitz Centre Rebels Reece Robinson Wing Sydney Roosters (NRL) Harry Jones Fullback Toyota Jido Shokki

Season summary

Main article: List of 2018 Super Rugby matches

Season results

Rnd	Date & local time		Team	Score	Venue	Attendance	Ref.
1	Bye
2	Saturday, 24 February (7:45 pm)	H	Stormers	34–27	Allianz Stadium, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia	11,087	[6] [7] [8]
3	Saturday, 3 March (3:03 pm)	A	Sharks	24–24	Kings Park Stadium, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa	14,143	[9] [10] [11]
4	Saturday, 10 March (6:40 pm)	A	Jaguares	38–28	José Amalfitani Stadium, Buenos Aires, Argentina	5,203	[12] [13] [14]
5	Sunday, 18 March (4:05 pm)	H	Rebels	51–27	Allianz Stadium, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia	11,652	[15] [16] [17]
6	Bye
7	Saturday, 31 March (7:45 pm)	A	Brumbies	17–24	GIO Stadium, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia	13,515	[18] [19] [20]
8	Saturday, 7 April (2:15 pm)	A	Sunwolves	29–50	Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium, Tokyo, Kantō, Japan	9,707	[21] [22] [23]
9	Saturday, 14 April (7:45 pm)	H	Reds	37–16	Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia	15,648	[24] [25] [26]
10	Friday, 20 April (7:45 pm)	H	Lions	0–29	Allianz Stadium, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia	10,614	[27] [28] [29]
11	Bye
12	Saturday, 5 May (7:45 pm)	H	Blues	21–24	Brookvale Oval, Brookvale, New South Wales, Australia	13,013	[30] [31] [32]
13	Saturday, 12 May (5:15 pm)	A	Crusaders	31–29	AMI Stadium, Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand	11,597	[33] [34] [35]
14	Saturday, 19 May (7:45 pm)	H	Highlanders	41–12	Allianz Stadium, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia	12,308	[36] [37]
15	Saturday, 26 May (7:35 pm)	A	Chiefs	39–27	FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton, Waikato, New Zealand	10,747	[38] [39] [40]
16	Saturday, 2 June (7:45 pm)	A	Reds	41–52	Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia	14,452	[41] [42] [43]
17	Friday, 29 June (7:45 pm)	A	Rebels	26–31	AAMI Park, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia	9,208	[44] [45] [46]
18	Saturday, 7 July (7:45 pm)	H	Sunwolves	77–25	Allianz Stadium, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia	18,059	[47] [48] [49]
19	Saturday, 14 July (7:45 pm)	H	Brumbies	31–40	Allianz Stadium, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia	17,155	[50] [51] [52]
QF	Saturday, 21 July (8:05 pm)	H	Highlanders	30–23	Allianz Stadium, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia	12,067	[53] [54] [55]
SF	Saturday, 28 July	A	Lions	44–26	Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa		[56] [57] [58]

Standings

Australian Conference
Pos	Team	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	TF	TA	TB	LB	Pts
1	Waratahs	16	9	1	6	557	445	+112	74	59	4	2	44
2	Rebels	16	7	0	9	440	461	–21	57	60	5	3	36
3	Brumbies	16	7	0	9	393	422	–29	56	52	2	4	34

Overall standings
Pos	Team	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	TF	TA	TB	LB	Pts
2	Lions	16	9	0	7	519	435	+84	77	55	6	4	46
3	Waratahs	16	9	1	6	557	445	+112	74	59	4	2	44
4	Hurricanes	16	11	0	5	474	343	+131	66	43	5	2	51

Finals

	Qualifiers				Semi-finals				Final
	21 July – Christchurch
	Crusaders	40
					28 July – Christchurch
	Sharks	10
					Crusaders	30
	20 July – Wellington
					Hurricanes	12
	Hurricanes	32
									4 August – Christchurch
	Chiefs	31
									Crusaders	37
	21 July – Johannesburg
									Lions	18
	Lions	40
					28 July – Johannesburg
	Jaguares	23
					Lions	44
	21 July – Sydney
					Waratahs	26
	Waratahs	30
	Highlanders	23

Statistics

Top point scorer No. Player Pos. Tries Pen Con Pts 1 Bernard Foley Fly-half 4 24 68 223 2 Taqele Naiyaravoro Wing 15 0 0 75 3 Israel Folau Fullback 11 0 0 55 4 Curtis Rona Wing 7 0 0 35 5 Jake Gordon Scrum-half 6 0 0 30 6 Michael Hooper Flanker 4 0 0 20 Ned Hanigan Lock Cameron Clark Wing Will Miller Flanker

Top try scorer No. Player Pos. Tries 1 Taqele Naiyaravoro Wing 15 2 Israel Folau Fullback 11 3 Curtis Rona Wing 7 4 Jake Gordon Scrum-half 6 5 Bernard Foley Fly-half 4 Michael Hooper Flanker Ned Hanigan Lock Cameron Clark Wing Will Miller Flanker

References

1. "Player Profiles". NSW Waratahs. Archived from the original on 14 February 2018. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
2. "Australian squads finalised for 2018 Vodafone Super Rugby season" (Press release). Rugby Australia. 21 February 2018. Archived from the original on 22 February 2018. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
3. "NSW Waratahs team named to face Jaguares" (Press release). NSW Waratahs. 9 March 2018. Archived from the original on 9 March 2018. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
4. "NSW Waratahs name team to face Melbourne Rebels" (Press release). NSW Waratahs. 16 March 2018. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
5. "NSW Waratahs team named to face Sharks in Durban" (Press release). NSW Waratahs. 1 March 2018. Archived from the original on 1 March 2018. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
6. "Waratahs late score sinks Stormers". SANZAAR . 24 February 2018.
7. "NSW Waratahs claim thrilling round one victory at Allianz Stadium". nswwaratahs.com.au . 24 February 2018.
8. "Super Rugby: Waratahs beat Stormers at Allianz Stadium". The Australian . 24 February 2018.
9. "Sharks and Waratahs draw in Durban". SANZAAR . 4 March 2018.
10. "NSW Waratahs draw in Durban thriller". nswwaratahs.com.au . 4 March 2018.
11. "Waratahs draw 24–24 with Sharks in Durban as Kurtley Beale injured". The Sydney Morning Herald . 4 March 2018.
12. "First win for slick Jaguares". SANZAAR . 11 March 2018.
13. "NSW Waratahs go down to Jaguars in Buenos Aires". nswwaratahs.com.au . 11 March 2018.
14. "Jaguares winless run comes to an end as Mario Ledesma's side smash Waratahs in Buenos Aires". Fox Sports Australia . 11 March 2018.
15. "Waratahs come from behind to end Rebels run". SANZAAR . 18 March 2018.
16. "NSW Waratahs retain weary Dunlop Shield". nswwaratahs.com.au . 18 March 2018.
17. "Melbourne Rebels hurt by second half fadeout against NSW Waratahs". Herald Sun . 19 March 2018.
18. "Waratahs victorious over the Brumbies in stop start derby". SANZAAR . 31 March 2018.
19. "NSW Waratahs claim thriller in nation's capital". nswwaratahs.com.au . 31 March 2018.
20. "Super Rugby: Israel Folau injured as Waratahs beat Brumbies". The Daily Telegraph . 31 March 2018.
21. "Seven-try Waratahs too good for Sunwolves". SANZAAR . 7 April 2018.
22. "NSW Waratahs secure away win in Tokyo". nswwaratahs.com.au . 7 April 2018.
23. "Waratahs pounce on winless Sunwolves in try-fest". The Japan Times . 7 April 2018.
24. "The Waratahs run away with the win against the Reds". SANZAAR . 14 April 2018.
25. "NSW Waratahs claim historic win at SCG". nswwaratahs.com.au . 14 April 2018.
26. "Super Rugby: NSW Waratahs beat fierce rivals Queensland Reds 37–16". News.com.au . 14 April 2018.
27. "A rampaging Lions outfit leave the Waratahs scoreless". SANZAAR . 20 April 2018.
28. "NSW Waratahs go down to Lions in Anzac round clash". nswwaratahs.com.au . 21 April 2018.
29. "Lions whitewash Tahs". Supersport . 20 April 2018.
30. "Waratahs unable to beat travelling Blues". SANZAAR . 5 May 2018.
31. "NSW Waratahs narrowly lose to the Blues". nswwaratahs.com.au . 5 May 2018.
32. "Rugby – Australia's wait goes on as Waratahs fail to fire". SBS . 5 May 2018.
33. "Crusader comeback breaks Waratah hearts". SANZAAR . 12 May 2018.
34. "NSW Waratahs go down by two in Christchurch". nswwaratahs.com.au . 12 May 2018.
35. "Rugby: Crusaders pull off historic comeback to stun Waratahs". The New Zealand Herald . 12 May 2018.
36. "Waratahs restore pride against 14-man Highlanders". SANZAAR . 19 May 2018.
37. "NSW Waratahs claim six-try victory at home". nswwaratahs.com.au . 19 May 2018.
38. "Chiefs hold off Waratahs". SANZAAR . 26 May 2018.
39. "NSW Waratahs go down to Chiefs in Hamilton". nswwaratahs.com.au . 26 May 2018.
40. "Tahs fall to Chiefs in tight battle". ESPN . 26 May 2018.
41. "Waratahs defeat Reds in high scoring affair". SANZAAR . 2 June 2018.
42. "NSW triumph over QLD in thrilling Australian derby". nswwaratahs.com.au . 2 June 2018.
43. "Waratahs beat Queensland Reds in incredible Super Rugby try-fest, winning 52–41". ABC . 2 June 2018.
44. "Waratahs sneak past Rebels". SANZAAR . 30 June 2018.
45. "NSW Waratahs win classic battle". nswwaratahs.com.au . 29 June 2018.
46. "Waratahs beat Rebels, Blues defeat Reds in Super Rugby". Associated Press . 29 June 2018.
47. "Waratahs beat Sunwolves to book finals place". SANZAR . 7 July 2018.
48. "NSW Waratahs clinch record win". nswwaratahs.com.au . 8 July 2018.
49. "Record-breaking Waratahs annihilate Sunwolves 77–25 to book finals spot". The Age . 7 July 2018.
50. "Brumbies tame the Waratahs". SANZAR . 14 July 2018.
51. "NSW Waratahs pipped by Brumbies". nswwaratahs.com.au . 15 July 2018.
52. "Rebels fall short of Super Rugby finals as only Waratahs remain". The Guardian . 14 July 2018.
53. "Waratahs storm back to stun Highlanders". SANZAR . 21 July 2018.
54. "NSW Waratahs secure super semi". nswwaratahs.com.au . 21 July 2018.
55. "Waratahs overrun Highlanders in stunning second-half fightback". Sporting News . 22 July 2018.
56. "Lions overcome Waratahs to reach Super Rugby final". SANZAR . 29 July 2018.
57. "NSW Waratahs go down to Lions". nswwaratahs.com.au . 29 July 2018.
58. "Lions maul Waratahs to book final place against champions Crusaders". The Times . 28 July 2018.

External links

• Waratahs Official website
• Australia Super Rugby website
• SANZAR website