Waratahs to start emerging playmaker against Blues in do-or-die final round

The Tahs have a new No. 10 for their make or break final round match of the Super Rugby Pacific season, while key Wallabies return in other Australian teams.

WARATAHS coach Dan McKellar has gone for broke in the must-win final game of the regular season, pitting 21-year-old playmaker Jack Bowen against All Blacks legend Beauden Barrett at Eden Park.

Bowen hasn’t started a game all year, yet will now be trusted to deliver NSW an unlikely finals berth by taking down the Blues at their fortress, where the Tahs have only won once in 97 years.

Bowen has replaced Tane Edmed in the starting side, after impressing McKellar with his composure in the dying stages of last week’s extra-time win over Western Force that kept their slim playoff hopes alive.

Jack Bowen will be calling the shots against the Blues. Picture: Mark Kolbe Photography/Getty Images

Bowen has replaced Tane Edmed in the starting side. Picture: Travis Hayto/Getty Images

“Jack, along with (halfback) Teddy Wilson, had a huge impact last week under pressure with his calm, direction and vision in attack,“ McKellar said.

“He has earned this start with his consistent hard work throughout the season in both training and his game time off the bench.

“This is a big game with a lot at stake. He is ready for a big game opportunity like this.”

Beauden Barrett during a Blues Super Rugby training session. Picture: Phil Walter/Getty Images

Bowen has only played 11 Super Rugby games, and his last start was in the final round of the 2024 competition.

NSW have suffered key injury blows, with halfback Jake Gordon (hamstring), backrower Charlie Gamble (calf) and centre Lalakai Foketi (shoulder) ruled out of Saturday’s game. Bowen takes the No. 9 jersey while Jamie Adamson replaces Gamble, with Leafi Talataina named on the bench.

Foketi shoulder subluxation suffered last Saturday sees Henry O’Donnell named as outside centre in the run on side.

And winger Andrew Kellaway’s comeback to the start side after recovering from illness that scratched him last week, sees Darby Lancaster return to the bench.

“At this end of the season, all teams will be impacted by injuries that inevitable test the depth of the squad,“ McKellar said.

“We are missing some through injury, but the players who will start in their place have shown this season that they can step up.

“There is no shortage of motivation for them to do so again this week.”

Dan McKellar has spoken about the Waratahs’ injuries. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

The equation is simple for NSW; they must beat the Blues, and then hope the Hurricanes defeat Moana Pasifika in the following game, to make the top six and qualify for the finals.

There are also key returns this week in other Australian teams that will be welcomed by Wallabies hierarchy.

Five-eighth Noah Lolesio, who was stretchered off the field a couple of weeks ago in a scary incident, returns to the Brumbies’ starting side in their battle against the Crusaders, the winner of which will secure a top-two spot.

“Noah responded extremely positively to treatment,” Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham said.

“He got through his rehab and trained really well the back end of last week. He’s confident heading into this weekend and it’s great to have him back in the side.”

Lolesio being stretchered from the field during the match against Western Force in mid-May. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Meanwhile, Queensland centre Josh Flook makes his long-awaited return from a hamstring injury to partner Hunter Paisami in the centres against Fijian Drua.

Flook is excited to play his comeback match in the same week he signed a contract extension for the 2026 season.

“I’ll just be loving every moment out there,” Flook said.

“I’ve rehabbed it really well and can’t speak highly enough of the rehab staff at the Reds. I’m back three to four weeks earlier than we were initially thinking.

“I ticked some boxes speed-wise last week and progressed from there.

“I was devastated when the injury first happened. It’s been a long process to get back but a good one.

“I’ve loved watching the boys this year. It’s been difficult but they’ve played some really good footy.”

Originally published as Waratahs to start emerging playmaker against Blues in do-or-die final round