NSW Waratahs rugby rising stars signing tracker, new names, sons of guns and latest news
The son of a famous Wallaby gun has returned from overseas and is among the latest to ink their future in sky blue. Follow all the latest moves and news with our NSW Waratahs signing tracker.
A son of a gun is heading back to Australia and the Waratahs Academy has spun out a quartet of players they believe will be big hits in the game.
The Waratahs rising star and big names tracker has been in overdrive in recent times with some significant signings
They include country gun Lachlan Hooper, originally from Bathurst, returning to NSW to play rugby and now the signing of 69 Super Rugby veteran for the Queensland Reds, Angus Scott-Young.
The talented loose forward has signed on the dotted line of a two year deal with the Waratahs after returning from a stint with the Northampton Saints in the UK.
The son of former Wallaby Sam Scott-Young, is a former Australian under 20 player described as tough, physical and with a high work ethic.
Scott-Young said he has been inspired by Waratahs teams of the past.
“The 2014 Waratahs were a team that galvanised rugby across Australia and that legacy has always inspired me,’’ he said.
“I’d love to help this group emulate that success, especially as we head towards a home Rugby World Cup in 2027.
“Ultimately, I want to contribute as much as I can to the club, help drive standards, and put myself in the best position to earn a place in the Wallabies set up.”
NSW WARATAHS FULL SQUAD BOASTS ‘EXCITING” TALENT
It’s officially pre-season and the NSW Waratahs have confirmed their full squad - and its busting with hit young talent.
Newbies for the Waratahs include Angus Blyth, Ioane Moananu, George Poolman and Jack Debreczeni will be on the field but Pete Samu and Harry Potter won't join in until the end of their Wallabies duties.
Coach Dan Kellar aid he will check in following the completion of their current Wallabies commitments.
Waratahs head coach Dan McKellar expressed his satisfaction with the club’s retention and recruitment heading into the 2026 season.
“We’ve retained a strong core of experienced campaigners, complemented that with some key recruits, and provided an opportunity to some exciting talent from the Waratahs pathways,’’ said coach Dan McKellar.
“The depth we’ve built in every position will create genuine competition for starting spots and help drive our club’s standards, on and off the field.
“Waratahs members and fans deserve a team that will fight hard for them every time they take the field, and that is what we are setting out to do in 2026.”
2026 NSW Waratahs Squad
Props: Apolosi Ranawai, Dan Botha, Isaac Kailea, Jack Barrett, Siosifa Amone, Tom Lambert, Will Goddard
Hookers: Ethan Dobbins, Folau Fainga’a, Ioane Moananu
Locks: Angus Blyth, Ben Grant, Eamon Doyle, Matt Philip, Miles Amatosero
Back Row: Austin Durbidge, Charlie Gamble, Jamie Adamson, Lachlan Hooper, Leafi Talataina, Pete Samu
Halfbacks: Jake Gordon, Michael McDonald, Teddy Wilson
Flyhalves: Jack Bowen, Jack Debreczeni, Lawson Creighton
Midfield: George Poolman, Joey Walton, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
Outside Backs: Andrew Kellaway, Archie Saunders, Harry Potter, James Hendren,
Leo Jaques, Max Jorgensen, Sid Harvey, Triston Reilly
WARATAHS LOOK WITHIN FOR TALENT.
They are four of the most talked about young guns in recent years and have now all pledged their allegiance to the Waratahs.
Australian sevens player Sid Harvey is joined at the Waratahs by Australian U20s captain Eamon Doyle, super fast winger Leo Jacques, talented flanker Austin Durbidge and fullback James Hendren as members of the senior squad,
James Hendren, who has impressed for the Galloping Greens in Shute Shield in recent times, is 22 and the oldest of the new group of former Academy stars.
He earned his slot after impressing in the Super Rugby AUS series.
Eamon Doyle, Austin Durbidge, 20 and Australian Junior player of the Year Harvey are all 20 with Leo Jacques the youngest of the new gang at 19.
Harvey, from Narrabri, made his debut at outside back for the Australian sevens. then played at the World Cup with the Junior Wallabies before starting every game in Super Rugby AUS.
Doyle has been impressing for years with the Wollongong born Woonona Shamrocks junior known for his leadership capabilities.
YOUNG PLAYMAKER SIGNS ON
Lindfield and Gordon rugby junior Angus Grover has been toiling away in the Tahs pathway program for years - and turning plenty of heads.
Now the clever halfback, who captains the Australia U18 side to their series win over New Zealand last year to much fanfare, has been rewarded with a multi-year contract.
Schooled at St Ignatius College, Grover is a GPS premiership winner and now with the NSW Waratahs as they begin pre-season training in Sydney./
Grover hails from a strong rugby culture with his brothers also playing.
“He has shown in under-age rugby that he has great talents, including strong leadership skills. He is a mature young man who has an exciting future if he puts in the work,” said Waratahs coach Dan McKellar.
COUNTRY GUN BACK IN THE CITY
Waratahs Academy product Lachlan Hooper is back with the NSW team
A Bathurst young gun who attended Barker College, Hooper is just 21 and returns to Sydney from time spent playing Super Rugby with the ACT Brumbies.
winning team, before joining the Brumbies for the 2024 and 2025 Super Rugby seasons.
OUTSIDE BACK RETURN HOME
Outside back George Poolman, 23, has secured a deal with the Waratahs until the end of 2027, bringing him home to Sydney from Perth where he played 31 Super Rugby Pacific games for Western Force over three seasons.
“George is a quality young man with his best rugby still ahead of him and we look forward to seeing what he can deliver in Waratahs colours.”
Poolman was just one of many off-season signing of experienced players which also included the recruitment of Wallabies Folau Fainga’a, Harry Potter, Pete Samu, Angus Blyth and Matt Philip.
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Originally published as NSW Waratahs rugby rising stars signing tracker, new names, sons of guns and latest news
