View source for New South Wales Waratahs

{{short description|Rugby Union club based in Sydney, NSW, Australia}}
{{about|the [[Super Rugby]] team|the field hockey team|New South Wales Waratahs (field hockey)|the species|Telopea speciosissima|the class of train|Sydney Trains A & B sets}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Use Australian English|date=June 2011}}
{{Infobox rugby team
  | teamname   = New South Wales Waratahs
  | image      = Waratahs logo.svg
  |imagesize   = 200
  | union      = [[Rugby Australia]] <br>([[New South Wales Rugby Union|New South Wales]])
  | nickname   = Tahs
  | location   = [[Sydney]], [[New South Wales]], Australia
  | founded    = {{start date and age|df=y|1882}}{{efn|Established in 1882, the clubs first match played during the [[Super Rugby]] era was in 1996.}} 
  | region     = [[New South Wales]]
  | ground     = [[Sydney Football Stadium (2022)|Sydney Football Stadium]]
  | capacity   = 42,500 
  | coach      = [[Dan McKellar]]
  | captain    = [[Jake Gordon]]
  | top scorer = [[Bernard Foley]] (1,092)
  | appearances= [[Benn Robinson]] (151)
  | most tries = [[Israel Folau]] (60)
  | league     = [[Super Rugby|Super Rugby Pacific]]
  | season     = [[2025 Super Rugby Pacific season|2025]]
  | position   = 8th overall
  | url = https://nsw.rugby/
  |current     = 2025 New South Wales Waratahs season
  |currentseason= [[2025 New South Wales Waratahs season]]
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The '''New South Wales Waratahs''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|w|ɒr|ə|t|ɑː|z}} or {{IPAc-en|ˌ|w|ɒr|ə|ˈ|t|ɑː|z}};),<ref>[http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/waratah Waratah]. CollinsDictionary.com. Collins English Dictionary – Complete & Unabridged 11th Edition. Retrieved 21 September 2012</ref> often referred to as the '''Waratahs''', are an Australian professional [[rugby union]] team based in [[Sydney]] that represents the majority of [[New South Wales]] in the [[Super Rugby Pacific]] competition. The Waratahs play their home games at the new [[Sydney Football Stadium (2022)|Sydney Football Stadium]].

==History==
===Amateur era===
[[File:StateLibQld 1 109656 New South Wales Rugby Union Team, ca. 1883.jpg|thumb|left|NSW team of 1883]]
The NSWRU (or then, The Southern RU – SRU) was established in 1874, and the very first club competition took place that year. By 1880 the SRU had over 100 clubs in its governance in the metropolitan area. In [[1882 Southern Rugby Union season#Representative Games|1882]] the first New South Wales team was selected to play [[Queensland Reds|Queensland]] in a two-match series. NSW would go on to win both the games.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13517363|title=The Intercolonial Football Match|newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |location=Sydney |date=14 Aug 1882 |accessdate=19 Jul 2022 |page=6 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13525236|title=The Queensland v. Combined Team Football Match|newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |location=Sydney |date=24 Aug 1882 |accessdate=21 Jul 2022 |page=6 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article161925074|title=The Queensland Footballers in Sydney|newspaper=[[The Sydney Mail]] |location=Sydney |date=26 Aug 1882 |accessdate=21 Jul 2022 |page=347 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref> That same year the first NSW touring squad was selected to go and play in New Zealand.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article108207155|title=Football|newspaper=[[The Evening News (Sydney)]] |location=Sydney |date=29 Aug 1882 |accessdate=22 Jul 2022 |page=3 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article161925944|title= The First N. S. W. Football Team in New Zealand.|newspaper=[[The Sydney Mail]] |location=Sydney |date=4 Nov 1882 |accessdate=19 Jul 2022 |page=803 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref>

[[File:1906 new south wales team.jpg|thumb|left|The 1906 NSW team]]
In 1907, several of the New South Wales rugby union team's players defected. They included the "superstar", [[Dally Messenger]]. These players joined the [[New South Wales rugby league team]] against a visiting [[New Zealand national rugby league team|rebel New Zealand rugby team]]. This was essentially the birth of [[rugby league in Australia]].<ref name="fagan">{{cite book|last=Sean Fagan & [[Dally Messenger III]]|title=The Master: The Life and Times of Dally Messenger, Australia's first sporting superstar|year=2007|publisher=Hachette|location=Australia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zW9ggl97DKIC|isbn=9780733628993}}</ref>{{rp|pp.159ff}}

During [[World War I]], the NSW (and QLD) Rugby Unions ceased senior competition. The Queensland body however would not reform until 1929, which saw NSW have more responsibilities for Australian rugby. In 1921 the Waratahs toured New Zealand again, and out of their 10 fixtures, won nine games, including the Test.{{cn|date=March 2023}}

The most famous Waratah team was the [[1927–28 Waratahs tour of the British Isles, France and Canada|1927/28 Waratahs]] who toured the United Kingdom, France and North America, introducing a style of open, running rugby never seen before, but which has been the stamp of the Australian game ever since. They won 24 and drew two of their 31 official matches. Seven members of this 1927/8 side were from the [[Drummoyne DRFC|Drummoyne Rugby Club]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.drummoynerugby.com.au/SNR/About/default.asp |title=About the Club |publisher=Drummoyne District Rugby Football Club |date=2009-03-01 |access-date=2013-06-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140126073634/http://drummoynerugby.com.au/SNR/About/default.asp |archive-date=26 January 2014}}</ref> Upon returning home, were greeted with a parade through Sydney and a reception at Town Hall. It was also around this time that they formally adopted the Waratahs name.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.theroar.com.au/2011/06/27/new-south-wales-need-rebranding-as-true-waratahs/ | title=New South Wales need rebranding as true Waratahs }}</ref> Matches against Queensland would soon resume also.

The 1930s were a particularly successful time for NSW. The height of the success of NSW is best represented by the defeat of the South African [[South Africa national rugby union team|Springboks]] in 1937 at the SCG.{{cn|date=March 2023}} NSW Rugby Union would also perform strongly throughout the following decades as well, which included the emergence of footballers such as Trevor Allan, David Brockhoff, Tony Miller, Nick Shehadie, Eddie Stapleton, [[Ken Catchpole]], [[John Thornett]], [[Peter Crittle]] and [[Ron Graham (rugby union)|Ron Graham]].

In 1963, the Sydney Rugby Union was established for the growth of the game in the city area. The NSW Rugby Union would celebrate its 100th anniversary in 1974. As part of the anniversary celebrations, a match was played at the SCG on 18 May against the [[All Blacks]], though the Waratahs lost nil to 20.{{cn|date=March 2023}}

===Professional era===
===Super 12: 1996–2005===
[[Image:Brumbies vs Waratahs.jpg|thumb|260px|right|NSW Waratahs playing the ACT Brumbies]]
In their inaugural [[Super 12]] season of [[1996 Super 12 season|1996]], the Waratahs won just under half of their games, finishing mid table, with the two other Australian teams finishing above them. The following season of [[1997 Super 12 season|1997]] saw the Waratahs end in a 9th place, winning four fixtures.

In the [[1998 Super 12 season|1998]] season the Waratahs won a best six out of 11 games, ending up in 6th position on the ladder at the end of the season, despite obvious improvements the team had still yet to make a finals appearance. The Waratahs won four fixtures the next season. They won five games in the [[2000 Super 12 season|2000]] season and the 'Tahs finished their season in 9th place.

In [[2001 Super 12 season|2001]] after replicating their 2000 performance, the Waratahs were still out of reach of finals contention, in 8th position. [[2002 Super 12 season|2002]] was a record breaking season for the Waratahs, as the team won eight out of their 11-season games and finished in second place behind the Crusaders – making the semis. However, in the final game of the regular season the Waratahs lost 96–19 (a Super Rugby record). They were defeated by their Australian rivals the Brumbies, 51–10, in the Waratahs' first ever semi-final. The combined score over the two weeks was Brumbies/Crusaders 147 v. Waratahs 29.

In the [[2003 Super 12 season|2003]] season the Waratahs missed a place in the finals, finishing in 6th position on the ladder at the end of the regular season. In [[2004 Super 12 season|2004]] the Waratahs made a promising start to their season with three straight wins. The team finished 8th on the Super 12 table, six points out of the finals. That year coach Ewen McKenzie re-introduced the end of season tour, taking place in Argentina that year. In [[2005 Super 12 season|2005]], they had their best regular season, finishing second in the table, before losing to the Crusaders in the [[2005 Super 12 season#Finals|2005 Super 12 Final]].

===Super 14: 2006–2010===
The Waratahs finished 3rd on the regular season table for the [[2006 Super 14 season]], in which two new teams entered the expanding tournament, the [[Western Force|Force]] and [[Cheetahs (rugby union)|Cheetahs]]. In the last home match of the regular season, the Waratahs hosted the [[Hurricanes (Super rugby franchise)|Hurricanes]], which they lost 14 to 29. The news that star league recruit [[Wendell Sailor]] had tested positive to an illegal substance and thus faced a career ending ban from the game was an unwelcome intrusion on the Waratahs semifinal build up. The following week, the semi-finals, they again faced the Hurricanes, though away in [[Wellington]]. The Waratahs made their exit, losing 16 to 14. Wendell Sailor later received a two-year ban from the game, marring a season that had promised so much.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/Sport/Cocaine-use-ends-Wendell-Sailors-career/2006/07/21/1153166551712.html |title=Cocaine use ends Wendell Sailor's career |publisher=Theage.com.au |date=2006-07-21 |access-date=2013-06-15}}</ref>

The [[2007 Super 14 season]] was the most disappointing for the team and its supporters with the Waratahs winning only three games, against the lions, the wooden spoon winning Reds, and the Hurricanes in the final round gaining a final placing of 13th out of 14. Despite the poor performance the 2007 season saw the emergence of teenage rugby prodigy [[Kurtley Beale]] and proved to be a vital rebuilding stage in the Waratahs super 14 championship run.

The [[2008 Super 14 season|2008 season]] began well for the NSW Waratahs, with solid pre-season wins and a solid opening game victory against the Hurricanes 20–3. The 'Tahs secured their 500th win since their formation in their Fourth round match against the {{Rut|Brumbies}}. After starting the season in a slow but solid manner the 'Tahs began to play their best rugby in their mid season match with the Blues, scoring their first four try bonus point of the season. The Waratahs then continued on a roll finishing their home season with another impressive 4 try bonus point win against title front runners the Sharks, advancing to second place on the ladder. An average South African trip saw the team slip to third on the ladder after only notching up 3 competition points, due to a loss to the {{Rut|Bulls}} (7 or less BP) and a satisfactory draw against other title contenders the [[Stormers]]. The Waratahs faced the Reds in the final round with a win securing second place, combined with a home semi-final win over the Sharks, moved them up to their first Super 14 final against the Crusaders, which they later lost 12–20.

In the last two seasons of the Super14 format, the Waratahs failed to make the final on both occasions after narrowly missing the finals (on points difference) in [[2009 Super 14 season|2009]] and qualifying for the semi-final in [[2010 Super 14 season|2010]]. They finished 5th and 3rd in respective years, losing to the {{Rut|Stormers}} in the semi-final of the 2010 season.

===Super Rugby: 2011–present===
[[File:Waratahs vs Brumbies at ANZ 7 2012.jpg|thumb|right|Waratahs playing [[Brumbies]] in the 2012 Super Rugby]]
In the [[2011 Super Rugby season|2011]] season, the Waratahs again failed to reach the final. On this occasion, their season ended when they were eliminated by the {{Rut|Blues}} in the qualifying final after finishing 5th in the overall standings in the revamped competition. The following two seasons were very bleak by comparison. Coach [[Chris Hickey]] parted ways with the club at the end of the season with [[Michael Foley (rugby union)|Michael Foley]] taking over the reins for 2012. The Waratahs finished well outside finals contention in [[2012 Super Rugby season|2012]] in 11th place. This brought about another change in the coaching department with [[Michael Cheika]] for [[2013 Super Rugby season|2013]]. His impact was not immediate as the Waratahs failed to make the finals for a second consecutive season finishing 9th overall.

====Championship season 2014====
{{main|2014 New South Wales Waratahs season}}

The 2014 season of the [[super rugby]] competition was undoubtedly the Waratahs greatest season so far. The Waratahs not only overcame the Curse of the Tahs, a commonly held superstition, but they were also able to post the greatest super rugby season yet. The second season under coach [[Michael Cheika]] saw a new expansive style of rugby implemented which gave birth to exciting running rugby, bringing dwindling crowds back in force with home games averaging at around 19,152 people in attendance.{{cn|date=April 2023}}

The running intent of Michael Cheika was quickly revealed after the team saw two [[fly-half (rugby union)|fly halves]] announced in the starting game against [[Western Force]]. The Waratahs opening match not only saw Kurtley Beale's return, scoring one try and having a hand in several others, but it was also a showcase to reveal the Tahs new weapon; [[Israel Folau]]. Folau highlighted Cheika's intent scoring a hat-trick of tries in what was soon to be a season of all-out attack by the Waratahs. Not only did the Waratahs score the most points in the opening match out of any team with a 43–21 score, but they also had the second largest winning margin of 22 points.

The Waratahs went on to win the Australian conference with 13 more points than the team that came in at second place, the [[Brumbies]], and came in as the number one team 7 points ahead of the competition. The Waratahs were in the driver's seat advancing straight through to the semi-finals; the club's 8th semi-final appearance. After the Brumbies defeated the Chiefs 32–30, the Brumbies advanced to compete against the Waratahs. The Waratahs displayed a show of force in their performance against an in-form Brumbies team, decimating them 26-8 granting the Waratahs a home final. The final, held at [[Stadium Australia]], was host to 61,823 spectators. With two tries a piece, six penalties each, and the Crusaders up 32–30, only one conversion made the difference. The turning point in the game was a penalty at the 79th minute by the famous New Zealand flanker, [[Richie McCaw]] 45 metres out. [[Bernard Foley]]'s penalty 45m out right in front of the post gave the Waratahs' a lead 33–32. The Waratahs had finally won a Super Rugby Championship.<ref>Fox Sports, © 2015 Fox Sports. Cited 09/02/14, available at:  http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/super-rugby/match-centre/match-stats?matchid=SRU20142201   
</ref>

==Identity==
===Name and logo===
[[File:Waratah (222279633).jpg|thumb|left|180px|The [[waratah]] is the NSW state flower and emblem of the rugby team]]

The "Waratahs" name has historically been the name for the [[New South Wales Rugby Union]] (NSWRU) representative team, and became the name for the New South Wales team when it entered the [[Super Rugby|Super Six]], [[Super 10 (Southern Hemisphere competition)|Super 10]] and [[Super 12]] competitions. The name and emblem comes from the [[waratah]], the state flower for New South Wales.

The New South Wales Waratahs commonly play in a [[Cambridge Blue (colour)|Cambridge Blue]] jersey<ref>{{cite web|last=NSW Rugby|title=Waratahs and NSW Rugby History|url=http://www.nswrugby.com.au/Waratahs/Team/AboutHSBCWaratahs/History.aspx|access-date=21 May 2013}}</ref> and navy blue shorts, blue having a long sporting association with the [[Australian state colours|state]] and a famous rivalry with the red/maroon colour of Queensland. Longtime sponsors [[HSBC]] feature on the front of the jersey. The Waratahs wore the HSBC logo for the final time when they played Argentina in August 2013.

The 2014 season saw Volvo as the Waratahs new major sponsor, after a number of years being minor sponsors with 'sleeve presence' on the previous jersey. An alternative white strip is also used. In pre-season of 2006, the Waratahs donned a New Jersey scheme in a trial game against the [[Crusaders (rugby)|Crusaders]]. This system saw traditional rugby playing numbers on the back of jerseys replaced with the initials of the player. The current jersey is made by [[ISC (sportswear)|ISC]] and is Cambridge blue with navy side panels, collar and cuffs, with the alternate strip being white with five Cambridge blue hoops, collar and cuffs.

Until 1885, New South Wales wore 'heather green' strips. From 1891 to 1897, New South Wales played in scarlet jerseys. The following season, the team adopted Cambridge blue jerseys. The light blue jersey and navy blue pants were established in 1897 and have been in effect ever since.

===Team song===
At the end of every winning game, the Waratahs sing the following song:<ref name="Team song">{{cite web |title=Waratahs Team Song |url=http://www.waratahs.com.au/Waratahs/Team/WaratahsTeamSong.aspx |date= |website=waratahs.com.au |publisher=[[New South Wales Rugby Union]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130429030827/http://www.waratahs.com.au/Waratahs/Team/WaratahsTeamSong.aspx |archive-date=29 April 2013 }}</ref>
<blockquote><poem>
"We are the mighty Waratahs 
Rough and tumble rugby stars 
We play the game as it should be played

Famous when we run the ball 
We can scrum and ruck and maul 
Playing the game as it should be played

Waratahs, Waratahs 
We play the game as it should be played 
Famous when we run the ball 
We can scrum and ruck and maul 
Playing the game as it should be played

We are the mighty men in blue 
We will take the game to you 
We play the game as it should be played

We've got talent 
We've got heart 
We will tear your team apart 
Playing the game as it should be played

Waratahs, Waratahs 
We play the game as it should be played 
We've got talent 
We've got heart 
We will tear your team apart 
Playing the game as it should be played"
</poem></blockquote>
:::—Waratahs website, [http://www.waratahs.com.au/Waratahs/Team/WaratahsTeamSong.aspx Team song] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150619122449/http://www.waratahs.com.au/Waratahs/Team/WaratahsTeamSong.aspx |date=19 June 2015 }}

==Sponsorship==
In Super Rugby the Waratahs have featured the following sponsors:

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; margin-left:1em; float:left"
|-
!Period
!Apparel supplier
!Period
!Principal sponsor
|-
|rowspan=4| 1992–2006
|rowspan=4| [[Canterbury of New Zealand|Canterbury]]
|1992–1996 || [[Hahn Brewery|Hahn]]
|-
|1996–1997 || |[[AAMI]]
|-
|1998–2000 || [[Citibank]]
|-
|style="border-bottom:0px;"| &nbsp;
| rowspan="3" style="border-bottom:0px;" | [[HSBC]]
|-
|2007–2009 || [[International Sports Clothing|ISC]]
|style="border-width:0px 1px;"| 2000–2013
|- 
|rowspan=3| 2010–2019
|style="border-width:0px 1px;"| &nbsp;
|style="border-width:0px 1px;"| &nbsp;
|-
|style="border-width:0px 1px;"| [[Canterbury of New Zealand|Canterbury]]
|2013–2015 || [[Volvo]]
|- 
|style="border-top:0px;"|&nbsp;
|2016–2021 || |[[Daikin]]
|-
|2020 || [[XBlades]]
|2022
|No sponsor
|-
|2021–present || [[ISC (sportswear)|ISC]]
|2023-2024
|[[Nomura Research Institute|NRI]]
|}
{{clear}}

==Region==
===Stadium===
{{Location map+|Australia Sydney |float=right|width=400|caption=New South Wales Waratahs base(s) ([[Sydney]])|places= 
{{Location map~|Australia Sydney |lat_deg=-33.889167|lon_deg=151.225278|position=bottom|background=#FAF0E6|mark=Disc Plain red.svg|label={{nowrap|[[Sydney Football Stadium (2022)|Sydney Football Stadium]]}}|label_size=90}}  
{{Location map~|Australia Sydney |lat_deg=-33.808056|lon_deg=150.999722|position=left|background=#FAF0E6|mark=Disc Plain red.svg|label={{nowrap|[[Western Sydney Stadium]]}}|label_size=90}}
{{Location map~|Australia Sydney |lat_deg=-33.891667|lon_deg=151.224722|position=top|background=#FAF0E6|mark=Disc Plain red.svg|label={{nowrap|[[Sydney Cricket Ground]]}}|label_size=90}}
}} 
{{Location map+|Australia New South Wales |float=right|width=400|caption=New South Wales stadia location(s). |places= 
{{Location map~|Australia New South Wales |lat_deg=-30.338928646786115 |lon_deg=149.75948963830402  |position=left   |mark=Disc Plain red.svg| marksize=5 |background=#FAF0E6|label=[[Narrabri]]}}
{{Location map~|Australia New South Wales |lat_deg=-33.867778|lon_deg=151.21|position=right|background=#FAF0E6|mark=Disc Plain red.svg|label={{nowrap|[[Sydney]]}}|label_size=90}} 
{{Location map~|Australia New South Wales |lat_deg=-32.918889|lon_deg=151.726667|position=left|background=#FAF0E6|mark=Disc Plain red.svg|label={{nowrap|[[Newcastle, New South Wales|Newcastle]]}}|label_size=90}}
}} 
Until 2019, the Waratahs played at the old [[Sydney Football Stadium (1988)|Sydney Football Stadium]] (SFS) in Sydney's [[Moore Park, New South Wales|Moore Park]]. The capacity for the stadium was 45,500. The Waratahs shared the ground with [[Sydney FC]] and the [[Sydney Roosters]].

In 2009, the Waratahs signed a multimillion-dollar deal with [[Stadium Australia]] which saw them play at least one game per season at the [[Sydney Olympic Park]] stadium until 2015.<ref>[http://www.rugbyheaven.com.au/news/news/homebushsick-fans-force-waratahs-to-slash-crowd-estimates-forcrusaders-game/2009/02/09/1234027956457.html Rugby Heaven] {{Dead link|date=February 2010}}</ref>

As well as the SFS, the Waratahs have on occasion played fixtures at other stadiums throughout the state. During the [[Australian Provincial Championship]], in which the Waratahs had two fixtures, the games were taken to the [[Central Coast Stadium]] in [[Gosford]], and the other to [[Bathurst, New South Wales|Bathurst]]. The Waratahs also played trial matches at [[Campbelltown Stadium]] in 2008 and 2015.  During the [[2018 Super Rugby season]], the Waratahs played one home game at [[Brookvale Oval]] and one at the [[Sydney Cricket Ground]].

With the SFS closed for demolition and rebuilding as the [[Sydney Football Stadium (2022)]] from [[2019 Super Rugby season|2019]] to [[2022 Super Rugby Pacific season|2022]] home games were split between the new [[Western Sydney Stadium|CommBank Stadium]], the [[Sydney Cricket Ground]], [[Brookvale Oval]] and even outside of Sydney at [[Hunter Stadium]] in [[Newcastle, New South Wales|Newcastle]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Waratahs announce Newcastle Super Rugby game|url=https://www.theroar.com.au/2018/10/23/waratahs-announce-newcastle-super-rugby-game/|access-date=2021-08-24|website=The Roar|language=en-US}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; margin: 1em auto;"
|-
! width="20%" | [[Moore Park, New South Wales|Moore Park]] ([[Sydney]])
! width="20%" | [[Parramatta]] (Sydney)
! width="20%" | Moore Park (Sydney)
! width="20%" | [[New Lambton, New South Wales|New Lambton]] ([[Newcastle, New South Wales|Newcastle]])
! width="20%" | [[Narrabri]]
|- 
| [[Sydney Football Stadium (2022)|Sydney Football Stadium]] 
| [[Western Sydney Stadium]] 
| [[Sydney Cricket Ground]]
| [[Newcastle International Sports Centre]]
| Dangar Park
|-
| Capacity: '''42,500''' 
| Capacity: '''30,000''' 
| Capacity: '''48,000''' 
| Capacity: '''33,000'''
| Capacity: '''5,000'''
|-
| [[File:SydneyFootballStadium Aug2022 Pre-open.jpg|215px]] 
| [[File:View Inside Western Sydney Stadium on Opening Day.jpg|215px]]
| [[File:Sydney Cricket Ground (24509044622).jpg|220px]]
| [[File:Ausgrid Stadium.jpg|215px]]
|
|}

=={{anchor|A|U19|U20}} Development teams==
The New South Wales Waratahs own and manages two [[National Rugby Championship]] teams, the [[Sydney Rays]] and [[NSW Country Eagles]]. These NRC teams draw on a range of players ranging from full-time professionals to those on incentive contracts. These teams are closely aligned with the Waratahs and are based at [[Moore Park, New South Wales#Venue|Moore Park]], the training venue used by the Waratahs.

Outside of the NRC season, many of these players are retained in the Gen Blue (NSW A) team, which is the Waratahs elite development squad just below full-time professional level. The Sydney Rays and NSW Country Eagles also field Under&nbsp;19 teams.

===Gen Blue (NSW A)===
The Gen Blue team plays matches against interstate and international representative teams, and has also competed in tournaments such as the [[Pacific Rugby Cup]]. Known by various names over the years including NSW A, Waratahs A, Gen Blue, and Junior Waratahs, the team is selected from the best emerging rugby talent in New South Wales. The squad is composed of Waratahs contracted players, extended training squad members, New South Wales Under 19s, and selected [[Shute Shield]] club players.<ref name = gen-blue-2014>{{cite web | year = 2014 | title = Gen Blue and the Pacific Rugby Cup | publisher = Waratahs Rugby | url = http://www.waratahs.com.au/Waratahs/Team/GenBlue.aspx | access-date = 27 January 2015 | archive-date = 7 October 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141007011923/http://www.waratahs.com.au/Waratahs/Team/GenBlue.aspx | url-status = dead }}</ref>

===Under-19===
Two New South Wales teams, Sydney Rays U19 and NSW Country Eagles U19, play in the national [[Australian Youth Rugby Championships|URC]] competition. Prior to 2008, state colts teams at under&nbsp;21 and under&nbsp;19 age levels were fielded in national tournaments and competitions such as the Trans-Tasman Trophy.<ref name = qru-2006>{{cite web 
 |year=2004
 |access-date= 27 February 2015
 |title= Annual Report 2004 |page= 14
 |publisher= NSW Rugby1.0 MB
 |url= http://www.nswrugby.com.au/Portals/3/Documents/AnnualReports/2004_NSWRU_Annual_Report.pdf
 |url-status= live
 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140228230624/http://www.nswrugby.com.au/Portals/3/Documents/AnnualReports/2004_NSWRU_Annual_Report.pdf
 |archive-date=28 February 2014 }}
</ref> These colts teams were consolidated as under&nbsp;20s ahead of the inaugural [[2008 IRB Junior World Championship|World Rugby U20 Championship]]. In 2018, an under&nbsp;19 age limit was reinstated for the national colts team competition.

==Season-by-season record==
:{| class="wikitable"
|- border=1 cellpadding=5 cellspacing=0
! style="width:20px;"| Season
! style="width:40px;"|Pos
! style="width:30px;"|Pld
! style="width:25px;"|W
! style="width:25px;"|D
! style="width:25px;"|L
! style="width:35px;"|Bye
! style="width:40px;"|F
! style="width:40px;"|A
! style="width:35px;"|+/-
! style="width:25px;"|BP
! style="width:35px;"|Pts
! style="width:200px;"|Finals results
|- align=center
|align=left|[[1996 Super 12 season|1996]]
|align=left|'''6th'''
|11||5||0||6||NA||312||290||+22||8||'''28'''||
|- align=center
|align=left|[[1997 Super 12 season|1997]]
|align=left|'''9th'''
|11||4||0||7||NA||255||296||−41||4||'''20'''||
|- align=center
|align=left|[[1998 Super 12 season|1998]]
|align=left|'''6th'''
|11||6||1||4||NA||306||276||+30||4||'''30'''||
|- align=center
|align=left|[[1999 Super 12 season|1999]]
|align=left|'''8th'''
|11||4||1||6||NA||246||248||−2||6||'''24'''||
|- align=center
|align=left|[[2000 Super 12 season|2000]]
|align=left|'''9th'''
|11||5||0||6||NA||273||258||+15||5||'''25'''||
|- align=center
|align=left|[[2001 Super 12 season|2001]]
|align=left|'''8th'''
|11||5||0||6||NA||306||302||+4||5||'''25'''||
|- align=center
|align=left|[[2002 Super 12 season|2002]]
|align=left|'''2nd'''
|11||8||0||3||NA||337||284||+53||7||'''39'''||Lost semi-final to {{Rut|Brumbies}}
|- align=center
|align=left|[[2003 Super 12 season|2003]]
|align=left|'''5th'''
|11||6||0||5||NA||313||344||−31||7||'''31'''||
|- align=center
|align=left|[[2004 Super 12 season|2004]]
|align=left|'''8th'''
|11||5||0||6||NA||342||274||+68||7||'''27'''||
|- align=center
|align=left|[[2005 Super 12 season|2005]]
|align=left|'''2nd'''
|11||9||0||2||NA||322||174||148||5||'''41'''||Lost final to {{Rut|Crusaders}}
|- align=center
|align=left|[[2006 Super 14 season|2006]]
|align=left|'''3rd'''
|13||9||0||4||NA||362||192||170||9||'''45'''||Lost semi-final to {{Rut|Hurricanes}}
|- align=center
|align=left|[[2007 Super 14 season|2007]]
|align=left|'''13th'''
|13||3||1||9||NA||266||317||−51||7||'''21'''||
|- align=center
|align=left|[[2008 Super 14 season|2008]]
|align=left|'''2nd'''
|13||9||1||3||NA||255||186||+69||5||'''43'''||Lost final to {{Rut|Crusaders}}
|- align=center
|align=left|[[2009 Super 14 season|2009]]
|align=left|'''5th'''
|13||9||0||4||NA||241||212||+29||5||'''41'''||
|- align=center
|align=left|[[2010 Super 14 season|2010]]
|align=left|'''3rd'''
|13||9||0||4||NA||385||288||+97||7||'''43'''||Lost semi-final to {{Rut|Stormers}} 
|- align=center
|align=left|[[2011 Super Rugby season|2011]]
|align=left|'''5th'''
|16||10||0||6||2||407||339||+68||9||'''57'''||Lost Qualifying-final to {{Rut|Blues}} 
|- align=center
|align=left|[[2012 Super Rugby season|2012]]
|align=left|'''11th'''
|16||4||0||12||2||346||407||−61||11||'''35'''||
|- align=center
|align=left|[[2013 Super Rugby season|2013]]
|align=left|'''9th'''
|16||8||0||8||2||411||371||+40||5||'''45'''||
|- align=center
|align=left|[[2014 Super Rugby season|2014]]
|align=left|'''1st'''
|16||12||0||4||NA||481||272||+209||10||'''58'''||Defeated {{Rut|Crusaders}} in [[2014 Super Rugby Final|Final]]
|- align=center
|align=left|[[2015 Super Rugby season|2015]]
|align=left|'''3rd'''
|16||11||0||5||NA||409||313||+96||8||'''52'''||Lost semi-final to {{Rut|Highlanders}}
|- align=center
|align=left|[[2016 Super Rugby season|2016]]
|align=left|'''10th'''
|15||8||0||7||NA||413||317||+96||8||'''40'''||
|- align=center
|align=left|[[2017 Super Rugby season|2017]]
|align=left|'''16th'''
|15||4||0||11||NA||396||522||–126||8||'''19'''||
|- align=center
|align=left|[[2018 Super Rugby season|2018]]
|align=left|'''3rd'''
|16||9||1||6||NA||557||445||+112||6||'''44'''||Lost semi-final to {{Rut|Lions}}
|- align=center
|align=left|[[2019 Super Rugby season|2019]]
|align=left|'''12th'''
|16||6||0||10||NA||367||415||−48||6||'''30'''||
|}
<small>
Note: Byes (worth 4 points) were added to the competition between [[2011 Super Rugby season|2011]] and [[2013 Super Rugby season|2013]]</small>

==Current squad==
{{for|player movements before and during the [[2026 Super Rugby Pacific season|2026 season]]|List of 2025–26 Super Rugby transfers#Waratahs}}

The squad for the [[2026 Super Rugby Pacific season]] is:<ref name="NSW Waratahs squad confirmed for 2026 Swyftx Super Rugby Pacific season">{{cite press release | url=https://waratahs.rugby/news/nsw-waratahs-squad-confirmed-for-2026-swyftx-super-rugby-pacific-season-2025115 | title=NSW Waratahs squad confirmed for 2026 Swyftx Super Rugby Pacific season | work=NSW Waratahs | date=6 November 2025 | access-date=6 November 2025}}</ref>{{efn-ua|group="Squad"|name=Scott-Young|Scott-Young wasn't named in the original Waratahs squad, but was announced as signing in November 2025.<ref name="NSW Waratahs snaps up Scott-Young for Super Rugby return">{{cite press release | url=https://waratahs.rugby/news/nsw-waratahs-snaps-up-scottyoung-for-super-rugby-return-20251116 | title=NSW Waratahs snaps up Scott-Young for Super Rugby return | work=NSW Waratahs | date=17 November 2025 | access-date=17 November 2025}}</ref>}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left; font-size:90%; min-width:70%"
|-
! colspan="100%" | NSW Waratahs Super Rugby squad
|- valign="top"
|
'''Props'''
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} [[Siosifa Amone]]
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} [[Jack Barrett (rugby union)|Jack Barrett]]
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} [[Daniel Botha]]
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} Will Goddard
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} '''[[Isaac Aedo Kailea]]'''
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} [[Tom Lambert (rugby union)|Tom Lambert]]
* {{Flagicon|Fiji}} Apolosi Ranawai

'''Hookers'''
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} [[Ethan Dobbins]]
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} '''[[Folau Fainga'a]]'''
* {{Flagicon|New Zealand}} [[Ioane Moananu]]

'''Locks'''
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} [[Miles Amatosero]]
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} '''[[Angus Blyth]]'''
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} Eamon Doyle
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} [[Ben Grant (rugby union)|Ben Grant]]
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} '''[[Matt Philip]]'''

||

'''Loose forwards'''
* {{Flagicon|England}} [[Jamie Adamson]]
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} Austin Durbridge
* {{Flagicon|New Zealand}} [[Charlie Gamble]]
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} [[Lachlan Hooper]]
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} '''[[Pete Samu]]'''
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} [[Angus Scott-Young]] {{efn-ua|group="Squad"|name=Scott-Young}}
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} [[Leafi Talataina]]

'''Scrum-halves''' 
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} '''[[Jake Gordon]]''' ([[Captain (sports)|c]])
* {{Flagicon|Ireland|rugby union}} [[Michael McDonald (rugby union)|Michael McDonald]]
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} [[Teddy Wilson (rugby union)|Teddy Wilson]]

'''Fly-halves'''
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} [[Jack Bowen (rugby union)|Jack Bowen]]
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} [[Lawson Creighton]]
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} [[Jack Debreczeni]]

||

'''Centres'''
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} [[George Poolman]]
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} '''[[Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i]]'''
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} [[Joey Walton]]

'''Outside backs'''
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} [[Sid Harvey]]
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} [[James Hendren (rugby union)|James Hendren]]
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} Leo Jacques
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} '''[[Max Jorgensen]]'''
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} '''[[Andrew Kellaway (rugby union)|Andrew Kellaway]]'''
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} '''[[Harry Potter (rugby union)|Harry Potter]]'''
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} [[Triston Reilly]]
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} [[Archie Saunders]]
|-
| colspan="100%" style="text-align:center;" | {{smalldiv|
* ([[Captain (sports)|c]]) denotes team captain.
* '''Bold''' denotes internationally capped.
<!--* <sup>DEV</sup> denotes a development squad player.-->
<!--* <sup>ST</sup> denotes a short-term signing.-->
<!--* [[File:Injury icon 2.svg|12px]] denotes a player ruled out for the season with injury.}}-->}}
{{notelist-ua|group="Squad"}}
|}

===Super Rugby AUS===
The squad for the [[2025 Super Rugby AUS]] competition is:<ref name="NSW Waratahs Select Exciting Blend of Elite, Academy and Club Players for Super Rugby AUS">{{cite press release | url=https://waratahs.rugby/news/nsw-waratahs-select-exciting-blend-of-elite-academy-and-club-players-for-super-rugby-aus-202592 | title=NSW Waratahs Select Exciting Blend of Elite, Academy and Club Players for Super Rugby AUS | publisher=NSW Waratahs | date=2 September 2025 | access-date=2 September 2025}}</ref>{{efn-lr|group="Squad"|name=Grover|Grover was named in the original Super Rugby AUS squad, but was ruled out for the competition through injury in September 2025.<ref name="NSW Waratahs Cast Net Across Clubs for Super Rugby AUS Selections">{{cite press release | url=https://waratahs.rugby/news/nsw-waratahs-cast-net-across-clubs-for-super-rugby-aus-selections-202598 | title=NSW Waratahs Cast Net Across Clubs for Super Rugby AUS Selections | work=NSW Waratahs | date=9 September 2025 | access-date=9 September 2025}}</ref>}}{{efn-lr|group="Squad"|name=Naea|Naea wasn't named in the original Super Rugby AUS squad, but was announced as an injury replacement for Liam Grover in September 2025.<ref name="NSW Waratahs Cast Net Across Clubs for Super Rugby AUS Selections"/>}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left; font-size:90%; width:70%"
|-
! colspan="100%" | Waratahs Super Rugby AUS squad
|- valign="top"
|
'''Props'''
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} [[Siosifa Amone]] [[File:Injury icon 2.svg|12px]]
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} [[Jack Barrett (rugby union)|Jack Barrett]]
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} [[Daniel Botha]]
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} Brady Dawson
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} Will Goddard [[File:Injury icon 2.svg|12px]]
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} '''[[Isaac Aedo Kailea]]'''
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} [[Tom Lambert (rugby union)|Tom Lambert]]
* {{Flagicon|Fiji}} Apolosi Ranawai

'''Hookers'''
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} [[Ethan Dobbins]]
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} Oniti Finau
* {{Flagicon|New Zealand}} [[Bruce Kauika-Petersen]]

'''Locks'''
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} [[Miles Amatosero]]
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} Eamon Doyle [[File:Injury icon 2.svg|12px]]
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} [[Ben Grant (rugby union)|Ben Grant]]
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} Clem Halaholo
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} '''[[Matt Philip]]''' ([[Captain (sports)|c]])

||

'''Loose forwards'''
* {{Flagicon|England}} [[Jamie Adamson]]
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} Austin Durbridge
* {{Flagicon|New Zealand}} [[Chlayton Frans]]
* {{Flagicon|New Zealand}} [[Charlie Gamble]] [[File:Injury icon 2.svg|12px]]
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} '''[[Pete Samu]]'''
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} [[Leafi Talataina]]

'''Scrum-halves'''
* {{Flagicon|Ireland|rugby union}} [[Michael McDonald (rugby union)|Michael McDonald]]
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} Hwi Sharples
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} [[Teddy Wilson (rugby union)|Teddy Wilson]]

'''Fly-halves'''
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} [[Jack Bowen (rugby union)|Jack Bowen]] [[File:Injury icon 2.svg|12px]]
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} [[Lawson Creighton]]
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} Joey Fowler

||

'''Centres'''
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} Liam Grover [[File:Injury icon 2.svg|12px]] {{efn-lr|group="Squad"|name=Grover}}
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} Lebron Naea {{efn-lr|group="Squad"|name=Naea}}
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} [[Henry O'Donnell (rugby union)|Henry O'Donnell]]
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} Jackson Ropata
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} Otto Serfontein
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} [[Joey Walton]]

'''Outside backs'''
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} [[Sid Harvey]]
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} [[James Hendren (rugby union)|James Hendren]]
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} Leo Jacques
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} [[James McGregor (rugby union)|James McGregor]]
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} [[Triston Reilly]] [[File:Injury icon 2.svg|12px]]
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} [[Archie Saunders]] [[File:Injury icon 2.svg|12px]]
|-
| colspan="100%" style="text-align:center;" | {{smalldiv|
* ([[Captain (sports)|c]]) denotes team captain.
* '''Bold''' denotes internationally capped.
<!--* <sup>DEV</sup> denotes a development squad player.-->
* <sup>ST</sup> denotes a short-term signing.
* [[File:Injury icon 2.svg|12px]] denotes a player ruled out for the season with injury.}}
{{notelist-lr|group="Squad"}}
|}

==Players and awards==
{{see also|List of New South Wales Waratahs players}}
==={{anchor|Matt Burke Cup}}Award winners===
The [[Matt Burke (rugby union, born 1973)#Cup|Matthew Burke Cup]] is awarded to the best Waratahs player at the end of each season:

{{div col|colwidth=30em|}}
* 2004 – [[Phil Waugh]]  
* 2005 – [[Nathan Grey (rugby union)|Nathan Grey]]
* 2006 – [[Adam Freier]]
* 2007 – [[Rocky Elsom]]
* 2008 – [[Wycliff Palu]]
* 2009 – Wycliff Palu {{small|(2)}}
* 2010 – [[Tatafu Polota-Nau]]
* 2011 – [[Kurtley Beale]]
* 2012 – [[Dave Dennis (rugby union)|Dave Dennis]]
* 2013 – [[Michael Hooper (rugby union)|Michael Hooper]]
* 2014 – Michael Hooper {{small|(2)}}
* 2015 – Michael Hooper {{small|(3)}}
* 2016 – Michael Hooper {{small|(4)}}<ref>{{cite news |last=Robinson |first=Georgina |date=2 September 2016 |title=Super Rugby 2016: Michael Hooper wins fourth straight Matt Burke Cup Player's Player award |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-union/super-rugby-2016-michael-hooper-wins-fourth-straight-matt-burke-cup-players-player-award-20160902-gr780q.html |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=20 December 2020}}</ref>
* 2017 – Michael Hooper {{small|(5)}}<ref>{{cite news |last=Newman |first=Beth |date=1 September 2017 |title=Hooper makes it five from five at Waratahs |url=https://www.rugby.com.au/news/2017/09/01/04/38/hooper-matthew-burke-cup |work=Rugby.com.au }}</ref>
* 2018 – [[Israel Folau]]<ref>{{cite news |last=Newman |first=Beth |date=20 September 2018 |title=Folau snaps Hooper's Matthew Burke Cup run |url=https://www.rugby.com.au/news/2018/09/20/waratahs-matthew-burke-cup-2018-folau |work=Rugby.com.au }}</ref> 
* 2019 – Michael Hooper {{small|(6)}}<ref>{{cite news |date=29 July 2019 |title=Hooper claims sixth Matt Burke Cup |url=https://www.rugby.com.au/news/2019/07/29/super-rugby-waratahs-matt-burke-cup-hooper |work=Rugby.com.au }}</ref> 
* 2020 – Michael Hooper {{small|(7)}}<ref>{{cite news |date=1 October 2020 |title=2020 NSW Waratahs Awards: Hooper secures seventh Matt Burke Cup |url=https://nsw.rugby/news/2020/10/01/hooper-wins-seventh-burke-cup |work=Waratahs Media }}</ref>
* 2021 – [[Izaia Perese]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rugby.com.au/news/izaia-perese-wins-matt-burke-cup-after-breakout-waratahs-season-20211010 |title=Izaia Perese wins Matt Burke Cup after breakout Waratahs season |last=Williamson |first=Nathan |date=11 October 2021 |website=rugby.com.au }}</ref>
* 2022 – [[Jed Holloway]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nsw.rugby/news/nsw-waratahs-2022-award-winners-revealed-2022722 |title=NSW Waratahs 2022 Season Award Winners revealed |date=22 July 2022 |website=nsw.rugby |publisher=[[New South Wales Rugby Union]] (NSWRU) }}</ref>
* 2023 – Michael Hooper {{small|(8)}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nsw.rugby/news/hooper-and-duck-take-out-top-honours-at-waratahs-2023-awards-night-202387 |title=Hooper and Duck take out top honours at Waratahs 2023 awards night |date=7 August 2023 |website=nsw.rugby |publisher=New South Wales Rugby Union (NSWRU) }}</ref>
* 2024 – [[Lachlan Swinton]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://waratahs.rugby/news/2024-nsw-waratahs-season-awards-winners-2024617 |title=2024 NSW Waratahs Season Awards Winners |date=8 June 2024 |website=nsw.rugby |publisher=New South Wales Rugby Union (NSWRU) }}</ref>
* 2025 – [[Langi Gleeson]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Langi Gleeson and Georgina Friedrichs Win Top Honors at NSW Waratahs Awards Night |url=https://waratahs.rugby/news/nsw-waratahs-award-winners-named-at-gala-presentation-night-2025616 |date=17 June 2025 |website=waratahs.rugby |publisher=New South Wales Rugby Union |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250701122011/https://waratahs.rugby/news/nsw-waratahs-award-winners-named-at-gala-presentation-night-2025616 |archive-date=1 July 2025 }}</ref>
{{div col end}}

==Coaches==
(''As of 5 August 2024'')

All head coaches of the New South Wales Waratahs since the [[Super Rugby]] era (1980s), listed by order of the first game in charge of the team are:
{|class="wikitable"
|+Key
|-
| width="40px" bgcolor="#FBCEB1" align="center"|*
| [[Caretaker manager|Caretaker/Interim coach]]
|}

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="font-size:95%; text-align:center;"
|+New South Wales Waratahs coaches (since 1985){{efn|Since the inception of the first [[Super Rugby]] comepetition(s), the [[South Pacific Championship]].}}
!rowspan="2" width=15 scope=col|Name
!rowspan="2" scope=col|{{tooltip|Nat.|Nationality}}
!rowspan="2" width=45 scope=col|From
!rowspan="2" width=45 scope=col|To
!colspan="7" class="unsortable" scope=col|Record 
!rowspan="2" class="unsortable" scope=col|{{tooltip|Ref.|References}}
|-
!scope=col width=40|{{tooltip|Pld|Matches played}}
!scope=col width=40|{{tooltip|W|Matches won}}
!scope=col width=40|{{tooltip|L|Matches lost}}
!scope=col width=40|{{tooltip|D|Matches drawn}} 
!scope=col width=40|{{tooltip|PF|Points for}}
!scope=col width=40|{{tooltip|PA|Points against}}
!scope=col width=40|{{tooltip|W%|Win percentage}} 
|-
! colspan=12| Amateur era
|-
!scope=row style=text-align:left|{{nowrap|{{sortname|Brian|O'Shea|Brian O'Shea (rugby union)}}}} 
|align=left|{{nowrap|{{flagdeco|Australia}} Australia}}
|align=center|{{dts|format=dmy|29 January 1985}} 
|align=center|{{dts|format=dmy|December 1986}} 
{{WLD|10|6|4|0|for=258|against=201}}
|align=center|<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gatt |first1=Ray |date=1 February 1985 |title=Rugby has to be fun, says the new coach |url= |work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |issue=45,895 |edition=Late |publisher=[[Fairfax Media|John Fairfax and Sons]] |page=31 }}</ref>
|-
!scope=row style=text-align:left|{{nowrap|{{sortname|Paul|Dalton|Paul Dalton (rugby union)}}}} 
|align=left|{{nowrap|{{flagdeco|Australia}} Australia}}
|align=center|{{dts|format=dmy|December 1986}} 
|align=center|{{dts|format=dmy|October 1987}} 
{{WLD|7|5|2|0|for=149|against=128}}
|align=center|<ref>{{cite news |last1=Webster |first1=Jim |date=10 October 1987 |title=Dalton cites Jones as his reason for quitting NSW |url= |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |issue=46,734 |edition=Late |publisher=John Fairfax and Sons |page=76 }}</ref>
|-
!scope=row style=text-align:left|{{nowrap|{{sortname|Dick|Laffan}}}} 
|align=left|{{nowrap|{{flagdeco|Australia}} Australia}}
|align=center|{{dts|format=dmy|1988}} 
|align=center|{{dts|format=dmy|August 1990}}
{{WLD|24|13|11|0|for=478|against=528}}
|align=center|<ref>{{cite news |date=25 April 1988 |title=Laffan slams officials for switch to Suva |url= |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |issue=46,903 |publisher=John Fairfax and Sons |page=46 }}</ref>
|-
!scope=row style=text-align:left|{{nowrap|{{sortname|Rod|Macqueen}}}}
|align=left|{{nowrap|{{flagdeco|Australia}} Australia}}
|align=center|{{dts|format=dmy|20 August 1990}}
|align=center|{{dts|format=dmy|4 August 1992}}
{{WLD|19|14|4|1|for=507|against=325}}
|align=center|<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wilkins |first1=Phil |date=21 August 1990 |title=Drummoyne say SRU inquiry is a vendetta |url= |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |issue=47,723 |edition=Late |publisher=John Fairfax and Sons |page=43 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Wilkins |first1=Phil |date=5 August 1992 |title=Macqueen bows out – mum on Waratahs' woes |url= |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |issue=48,334 |edition=Late |publisher=John Fairfax and Sons |page=40 }}</ref>
|-
!scope=row style=text-align:left|{{nowrap|{{sortname|Greg|Smith|Greg Smith (rugby union coach)}}}}
|align=left|{{nowrap|{{flagdeco|Australia}} Australia}}
|align=center|{{dts|format=dmy|1992}}
|align=center|{{dts|format=dmy|6 October 1995}}
{{WLD|39|25|13|1|for=1,192|against=799}}
|align=center|<ref>{{cite news |last1= |first1= |date=10 October 1995 |title=Premier coach tipped for NSW |url= |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |issue=49,330 |publisher=John Fairfax and Sons |page=42 }}</ref>
|-
! colspan=12| Professional era
|-
!scope=row style=text-align:left|{{nowrap|{{sortname|Chris|Hawkins|Chris Hawkins (rugby union)}}}}
|align=left|{{nowrap|{{flagdeco|Australia}} Australia}}
|align=center|{{dts|format=dmy|October 1995}}
|align=center|{{dts|format=dmy|26 August 1996}}
{{WLD|22|14|8|0|for=663|against=534}}
|align=center|<ref>{{cite news |last1=FitzSimons |first1=Peter |author-link=Peter FitzSimons |date=12 October 1995 |title=Coach Hawkins 'always wanted blues' |url= |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |issue=49,332 |publisher=John Fairfax and Sons |page=53 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Growden |first1=Greg |date=29 August 1996 |title=Hawkins: how the axe fell |url= |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |issue=49,607 |publisher=John Fairfax and Sons |page=48 }}</ref>
|-
!scope=row style=text-align:left|{{nowrap|{{sortname|Matt|Williams|Matt Williams (rugby union coach)}}}}
|align=left|{{nowrap|{{flagdeco|Australia}} Australia}}
|align=center|{{dts|format=dmy|1997}}
|align=center|{{dts|format=dmy|1999}}
{{WLD|33|14|17|2|for=807|against=820}}
|align=center|
|-
!scope=row style=text-align:left|{{nowrap|{{sortname|Ian|Kennedy|Ian Kennedy (rugby union)}}}}
|align=left|{{nowrap|{{flagdeco|Australia}} Australia}}
|align=center colspan=2|{{dts|format=dmy|2000}}
{{WLD|11|5|6|0|for=273|against=258}}
|align=center|
|-
!scope=row style=text-align:left|{{nowrap|{{sortname|Bob|Dwyer}}}}
|align=left|{{nowrap|{{flagdeco|Australia}} Australia}}
|align=center|{{dts|format=dmy|2001}}
|align=center|{{dts|format=dmy|2003}}
{{WLD|34|19|15|0|for=966|against=981}}
|align=center|<ref>{{cite web |url=http://en.espn.co.uk/australia/rugby/player/142971.html |title=Bob Dwyer |website=en.espn.co.uk |publisher=ESPNscrum |quote=In 2001 Dwyer became headcoach of Super Rugby's Waratahs and took them to the semi-final in 2002. He resigned in 2003 and became the New South Wales' development officer. |access-date=7 March 2023 |archive-date=12 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190912000728/http://en.espn.co.uk/australia/rugby/player/142971.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> 
|-
!scope=row style=text-align:left|{{nowrap|{{sortname|Ewen|McKenzie}}}}
|align=left|{{nowrap|{{flagdeco|Australia}} Australia}}
|align=center|{{dts|format=dmy|2004}}
|align=center|{{dts|format=dmy|2008}}
{{WLD|66|37|27|2|for=966|against=981}}
|align=center|
|-
!scope=row style=text-align:left|{{nowrap|{{sortname|Chris|Hickey}}}}
|align=left|{{nowrap|{{flagdeco|Australia}} Australia}}
|align=center|{{dts|format=dmy|2009}}
|align=center|{{dts|format=dmy|2011}}
{{WLD|44|28|16|0|for=1,043|against=803}}
|align=center|
|-
!scope=row style=text-align:left|{{nowrap|{{sortname|Michael|Foley|Michael Foley (rugby union)}}}}
|align=left|{{nowrap|{{flagdeco|Australia}} Australia}}
|align=center colspan=2|[[2012 Super Rugby season|2012]]
{{WLD|16|4|12|0|for=346|against=407}}
|-
!scope=row style=text-align:left|{{nowrap|{{sortname|Michael|Cheika}}}}
|align=left|{{nowrap|{{flagdeco|Australia}} Australia}}
|align=center|{{dts|format=dmy|18 September 2012}}
|align=center|{{dts|format=dmy|2 April 2015}}
{{WLD|51|33|18|0|for=1,377|against=1,031}}
|align=center|<ref>{{cite news |last=Robinson |first=Georgina |date=18 September 2012 |title=Cheika appointed Waratahs coach |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-union/cheika-appointed-waratahs-coach-20120918-263a1.html |work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=18 September 2012 |title=Michael Cheika confirmed as Waratahs coach |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/michael-cheika-confirmed-as-waratahs-coach/story-e6frg7mf-1226476381906 |url-status=dead |work=[[The Australian]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120918021220/https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/michael-cheika-confirmed-as-waratahs-coach/story-e6frg7mf-1226476381906 |archive-date=18 September 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=22 October 2014 |title=Cheika takes the reins at wounded Wallabies |url=https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1622279/cheika-takes-reins-wounded-wallabies |work=[[South China Morning Post]] (SCMP) }}</ref>
|-
!scope=row style=text-align:left|{{nowrap|{{sortname|Daryl|Gibson}}}}
|align=left|{{nowrap|{{flagdeco|New Zealand}} New Zealand}}
|align=center|{{dts|format=dmy|27 June 2015}}{{efn|Although [[Daryl Gibson]] was confirmed as the new coach of the Waratahs on 2 April 2015, he would not take over the position from [[Michael Cheika]] until the season had concluded.}}
|align=center|{{dts|format=dmy|21 June 2019}} 
{{WLD|64|28|35|1|for=1,789|against=1,748}}
|align=center|<ref>{{cite news |last=Pandaram |first=Jamie |date=4 April 2015 |title=New Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson steeled for any challenge after avoiding family tragedy |url=https://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/rugby/new-waratahs-coach-daryl-gibson-steeled-for-any-challenge-after-avoiding-family-tragedy/news-story/5ead145e063991c5fb25c25228ba6965 |work=[[The Courier-Mail]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Robinson |first=Georgina |date=2 April 2015 |title=Waratahs will never be 'arrogant' again under new coach Daryl Gibson |url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/waratahs/waratahs-will-never-be-arrogant-again-under-new-coach-daryl-gibson-20150402-1mdp88.html |url-status=live |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150404235548/http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/waratahs/waratahs-will-never-be-arrogant-again-under-new-coach-daryl-gibson-20150402-1mdp88.html |archive-date=4 April 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=21 June 2019 |title=Super Rugby: NSW Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson resigns |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/super-rugby/super-rugby-nsw-waratahs-coach-daryl-gibson-set-to-resign/news-story/af04f552b768a6623aafcc12c1bfc395 |work=[[Fox Sports (Australia)|Fox Sports Australia]] }}</ref> 
|-
!scope=row style=text-align:left|{{nowrap|{{sortname|Rob|Penney}}}}
|align=left|{{nowrap|{{flagdeco|New Zealand}} New Zealand}}
|align=center|{{dts|format=dmy|2 October 2019}} 
|align=center|{{dts|format=dmy|28 March 2021}} 
{{WLD|19|5|14|0|for=369|against=604}}
|align=center|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rugby.com.au/news/2019/10/02/super-rugby-waratahs-penney |title=Developing homegrown talent a focus for Waratahs' new Kiwi coach Penney |last=Payten |first=Iain |date=2 October 2019 |website=rugby.com.au |publisher=[[Rugby Australia]] (RA) }}</ref><ref name=Doran>{{cite news |last=Doran |first=Christy |date=28 March 2021 |title=Waratahs sack Rob Penney after winless start |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/super-rugby-au-waratahs-sack-rob-penney-after-winless-start/news-story/57e3d80f1432c0a696cb138418798af4 |work=Fox Sports Australia }}</ref>
|-
!scope=row style=background:#FBCEB1|{{nowrap|{{sortname|Jason|Gilmore}}}}<br>{{nowrap|{{sortname|Chris|Whitaker}}}}  
|align=left|{{nowrap|{{flagdeco|Australia}} Australia}}
|align=center|{{dts|format=dmy|28 March 2021}} 
|align=center|{{dts|format=dmy|1 July 2021}} 
{{WLD|8|0|8|0|for=204|against=356}}
|align=center|<ref name=Doran/>
|-
!scope=row style=text-align:left|{{nowrap|{{sortname|Darren|Coleman}}}} 
|align=left|{{nowrap|{{flagdeco|Australia}} Australia}}
|align=center|{{dts|format=dmy|1 July 2021}} 
|align=center|31 May 2024 
{{WLD|44|16|28|0|for=1058|against=1159}}
|align=center|<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-20 |title=NSW Waratahs coach Darren Coleman won't get a new contract after two win season |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/super-rugby/nsw-waratahs-coach-darren-coleman-wont-get-a-new-contract-after-two-win-season/news-story/3469b95e77c6d14971b813a9cc8f3c7a |access-date=2024-08-05 |website=Fox Sports |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Decent |first=Tom |date=1 July 2021 |title=Coleman's wild ride from sleepy South West Rocks to Waratahs' hot seat |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-union/my-dream-job-waratahs-confirm-coleman-appointment-20210630-p585qr.html |work=The Sydney Morning Herald }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/super-rugby/teams/waratahs/australian-rugby-news-2021-waratahs-coach-darren-coleman-first-interview-nba-suns-vs-clipper-super-rugby-wallabies/news-story/38f372015109cfb7a10b964bcca4ac92 |title='More clubs than Tiger': Veteran coach Coleman's grand vision to rebuild 'broken' Waratahs |last=Doran |first=Christy |date=1 July 2021 |publisher=Fox Sports Australia }}</ref>
|-
!!scope=row style=text-align:left|{{Nowrap|{{sortname|Dan|McKellar}}}}
|align=left|{{nowrap|{{flagdeco|Australia}} Australia}}
|5 July 2024
|''[[Incumbent]]''
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Media |first=Waratahs |date=2024-07-05 |title=Dan McKellar joins the NSW Waratahs as Head Coach |url=https://waratahs.rugby/news/dan-mckellar-joins-the-nsw-waratahs-as-head-coach-202474 |access-date=2024-08-05 |website=waratahs.rugby |language=en}}</ref>
|}

==Honours==

===Professional era===
* '''[[Super Rugby#Super 12|Super 12/14]] (1996–2010):'''
** Runners-up (2): [[2005 Super 12 season|2005]], [[2008 Super 14 season|2008]]
** Play-off Appearances (3): [[2002 Super 12 season|2002]], [[2006 Super 14 season|2006]], [[2010 Super 14 season|2010]]
* '''[[Super Rugby]] (2011–present): / [[Super Rugby AU]] (2020–2021): / [[Super Rugby Trans-Tasman]] (2021):'''
** Champions: [[2014 Super Rugby season|2014]]
** Australian Conference Champions (3): [[2014 Super Rugby season|2014]], [[2015 Super Rugby season|2015]], [[2018 Super Rugby season|2018]]
** Play-off Appearances (4): [[2011 Super Rugby season|2011]], [[2014 Super Rugby season|2014]], [[2015 Super Rugby season|2015]], [[2018 Super Rugby season|2018]]
* '''[[Super Rugby AUS]] (2025–present):'''
** Champions: [[2025_Super_Rugby_AUS|2025]]

==Statistics==
Statistics in this section include only those pertaining to [[Super Rugby]] matches (1996–present). They do not include any matches prior to this period (1882–1995). Records for "in a season" include finals games unless otherwise stated.<br />
Correct as of 26 November 2014.<ref name=tahs-stats-2015>{{cite web
 |date=16 September 2014
 |url=http://www.waratahs.com.au/Waratahs/Team/Statistics/SuperRugbyStats.aspx
 |title=Waratahs team statistics
 |publisher=Waratahs
 |access-date=14 June 2015
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150615210813/http://www.waratahs.com.au/Waratahs/Team/Statistics/SuperRugbyStats.aspx
 |archive-date=15 June 2015
 |url-status=dead
 }}</ref>

===Team===
*'''Biggest winning margin:''' 62 v [[Southern Kings]], [[Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium]], 2013.
*'''Biggest win:''' 72–10 v [[Southern Kings]], [[Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium]], 2013.
*'''Biggest loss:''' 19–96 v [[Crusaders (rugby)|Crusaders]], [[Lancaster Park]], 2002.
*'''Highest team score:''' 77 v {{Rut|Sunwolves}}, [[Sydney Football Stadium (1988)|Sydney Football Stadium]], 2018.
*'''Most regular season wins:''' 12, in 2014.
*'''Most consecutive wins in a season:''' 9, in 2014.
*'''Most consecutive defeats in a season:''' 8, in 2012.
*'''Most tries in a season:''' 81, in [[2018 Super Rugby season|2018]].
*'''Most conversions in a season:''' 68, in 2018 – [[Bernard Foley]].
*'''Most penalty goals in a season:''' 50, in 2014.
*'''Most drop-goals in a season:''' 3, in 2014.
*'''Most points in a season:''' 613, in 2018.
*'''Most tries scored in a match:''' 12 v [[Sunwolves]], Sydney Football Stadium, 2018.
*'''Most conversions in a match:''' 9 v {{Rut|Lions}}, Sydney Football Stadium, 2010.
*'''Most penalty goals in a match:''' 7 v {{Rut|Blues}}, Sydney Football Stadium, 2001 – v {{Rut|Crusaders}}, [[Stadium Australia]], 2014.
*'''Most drop-goals in a match:''' 1 ''on 12 occasions''

===Individual===
*'''Most caps:''' 151, [[Benn Robinson]]. [[Kurtley Beale]]
*'''Most caps as captain:''' 56, [[Phil Waugh]].
*'''Most wins as captain:''' 35, [[Phil Waugh]].
*'''Most points:''' 1,172, [[Matt Burke (rugby union, born 1973)|Matt Burke]], (1996–2004).
*'''Most tries:''' 58, [[Israel Folau]] (2013–2019).
*'''Most conversions:''' 160, Matt Burke (1996–2004).
*'''Most penalty goals:''' 173, Matt Burke (1996–2004).
*'''Most drop-goals:''' 3, [[Kurtley Beale]] (2007–present) and [[Berrick Barnes]] (2010–2013).
*'''Most points in a season:''' 252, [[Bernard Foley]], in 2014.
*'''Most tries in a season:''' 15, [[Taqele Naiyaravoro]], in 2018.
*'''Most conversions in a season:''' 68, Bernard Foley, in 2018.
*'''Most penalty goals in a season:''' 44, Bernard Foley, in 2014.
*'''Most drop-goals in a season:''' 3, Berrick Barnes, in 2010.
*'''Most points in a match:''' 34 (3t; 2c, 5p), [[Peter Hewat]], v {{Rut|Bulls}}, Sydney Football Stadium, 2005.
*'''Most tries in match:''' 4, [[Drew Mitchell]], v {{Rut|Lions}}, Sydney Football Stadium, 2010.
*'''Most conversions in match:''' 9, [[Berrick Barnes]] v {{Rut|Lions}}, Sydney Football Stadium, 2010.
*'''Most penalty goals in a match:''' 7, Matt Burke v {{Rut|Blues}} in 2001 and Bernard Foley v {{Rut|Crusaders}} in 2014.
*'''Most drop-goals in a match:''' 1, (''on 12 occasions'' – Kurtley Beale & Berrick Barnes on 3 occasions – and 6 others players on 1 occasion each).

==See also==
{{Portal|Sports|New South Wales}}
*[[Dan Vickerman Cup]]
*[[National Rugby Championship]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* {{official website}}
{{Commons category|Waratahs (rugby)}}

* [http://www.nswrugby.com.au NSW Rugby website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100610030630/http://www.nswrugby.com.au/ |date=10 June 2010 }}

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{{s-ttl|title={{nowrap|[[List of Super Rugby champions|Super Rugby Champions]]}}|years=[[2014 Super Rugby season|2014]]}}
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{{NSWRU}}
{{Navboxes|titlestyle=background:#A4D7F6;color:navy|list1= 
{{Super Rugby}}
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{{NSW Waratahs squad}}

[[Category:New South Wales Waratahs| ]]
[[Category:New South Wales representative sports teams|War]]
[[Category:Rugby clubs established in 1882]]
[[Category:Rugby union teams in Sydney]]
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[[Category:Super Rugby champions]]
[[Category:Super Rugby AUS]]