‘Elite expertise’ recruited as Ireland’s attack guru heads Down Under to rebuild Waratahs

The Waratahs have confirmed their coaching team for the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season with the announcement of Dan McKellar’s assistant coaches.

McKellar returns to Australia after a season in the northern hemisphere with Leicester Tigers, signing a three-year contract with the ‘Tahs following the addition of Simon Raiwalui as Director of High Performance.

The former Tigers and Brumbies head coach will be ably assisted by former England centre and ex-Ireland attack coach Mike Catt OBE, former prop Dan Palmer and ex-Waratahs and Brumbies flanker Lachlan McCaffrey.

All-change at the Waratahs

After a horror season under Darren Coleman, the Waratahs made the decision not to offer the head coach a contract extension after winning just two of their 14 games in 2024 to finish bottom of the Super Rugby Pacific table.

In his place, the ‘Tahs moved quickly to secure the services of McKellar from Leicester after his solid record with the Brumbies in Super Rugby, which led to his involvement with the Wallabies’ coaching team.

He and Raiwalui have now pieced together the new coaching staff with a blend of youth and experience with the particularly stellar capture of highly-rated attack coach Catt.

The 2003 Rugby World Cup winning centre has built a reputation as one of the best attack coaches in the game following his stints with London Irish, England, Italy, and most recently Ireland.

The 75 Test cap former England star is joined in the coaching team by Palmer who links up with McKellar once again as the pair worked together at the Brumbies and Leicester Tigers. Palmer has also coached Australia A after a stint with Suntory in Japan and his main focus will be the set-piece having previously worked as a lineout and scrum coach.

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Meanwhile, McCaffrey will take charge of the Waratahs’ defence in his first Super Rugby coaching role having been an assistant coach for New Zealand NPC side Otago and the head coach for the Gungahlin Eagles.

Finally, Tom Carter takes over as the Head of Athletic Performance after overseeing the athletic performance program for the Australian Women’s Sevens team for the last five-and-a-half years.

“We’re thrilled to have acquired such a well-credentialed and experienced group of individuals to lead our club forward,” Raiwalui said.

“The process encompassed talent identification and analysis domestically and internationally and I’m confident that these men will each make a positive impact on the Waratahs.

“Our players will be blessed with elite guidance and expertise to progress their careers and bring on-field success to our members and fans.”

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New signings

The new additions to the coaching team mean that Chris Whitaker and Pauli Taumoepeau have both left the club along with Head of Athletic Performance Nick Lumley, Team Manager Will Stuart, and physiotherapists Cam Dyer and Alan Robinson.

Meanwhile, the Waratahs have also sealed deals with big-name stars in Australia.

Taniela Tupou has inked a one-year deal with the side following the collapse of the Melbourne Rebels and he is joined in making the switch by fellow Wallabies Rob Leota, Andrew Kellaway and Darby Lancaster.

The ‘Tahs are also set to become code hopper Joseph Sua’ali’i from the Syndey Roosters.

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