NSW Waratahs turnaround continues with signing of Rob Leota while CEO Paul Doorn is made redundant

He shouldered the weight of a tumultuous season as the Melbourne Rebels endured months of speculation before the club was finally axed. Now Rob Leota is making Sydney his new home.

THE overhaul of the NSW Waratahs has continued with the signing of Melbourne Rebels captain Rob Leota, at the same time as making chief executive Paul Doorn redundant.

Leota has signed a one-year deal with NSW for the 2025 season, bolstering the stocks of the wooden spooners as they plan a turnaround under new head coach Dan McKellar and director of performance Simon Raiwalui.

The NSW Waratahs have signed former Melbourne Rebels captain Rob Leota for the 2025 season. Picture: Supplied

The 27-year-old backrower carried the load this season as the Rebels first faced uncertainty over their future, before it was finally confirmed the club would be axed just before they made their first finals series in Super Rugby, losing in the quarterfinals.

Many Rebels including Leota had looked at the Queensland Reds as their preferred destination but after careful consideration, the Melbourne born and raised star has chosen Sydney as his new home.

“I’ve got a lot of family in Sydney, this is the first time moving out of home so I knew that would help the transition to the Tahs,” Leota told this masthead.

“And I was coached by Dan McKellar at Wallaby level (under Dave Rennie), he is a good, hard coach so I know he’ll come in and do the right things to help the team be successful next year.”

As skipper of a team that was headed for oblivion, much pressure fell on Leota’s shoulders to hold his teammates up in 2024.

“Sometimes when the season isn’t going the way you want it to, it can pretty hard,” Leota said.

Rob Leota leading the Rebels during their final season in Super Rugby. Pictures: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

“We had a good leadership group that was around me and they helped a lot, Sam Talakai was really good, I had a lot of good people in my ear helping me. Even though I was leading the team, there were a lot of good men behind me giving me good advice week to week, trying to get the boys up whether we won or lost, dealing with outside noise.”

Leota had signed a two-year deal in Australia through to the end of 2025, and so he wasn’t overly keen to head overseas after the Rebels folded.

Leota had an existing contract with the Australian Rugby Union until end of 2025. Picture: Sanka Vidanagama / AFP

“One of my good mates, Sione Tuipulotu plays for Scotland, he is a Melbourne boy as well, so it would be pretty cool if he made the British & Irish Lions team and I got to play against him next year,” Leota said.

“The Lions doesn’t happen often, so that was definitely a reason I wanted to stay in Australia.

“It has been a full on year.

“There are definitely good things to take from the season. Obviously, everyone is moving on but I’ve got a good relationship with all the boys and I’m sure there will always be a connection back in Melbourne.

“I’m getting used to being in Sydney now and I’m just excited for what’s to come next year with the Tahs, I’m keen for pre-season and hopefully I’m there in round one.”

Letoa, who is now training at the Tahs’ Daceyville base and regaining fitness from a hamstring injury hoping to be picked in the Wallabies’ Rugby Championship squad, is expected to be joined at the Waratahs by Rebels and Wallabies prop Taniela Tupou.

Taniela Tupou is also expected to join the Waratahs. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

Rebels outside backs Andrew Kellaway and new Wallabies debutant Darby Lancaster have already signed deals with NSW.

“Growing up in Kempsey, I supported the Waratahs as a kid so I can’t wait to run out onto Allianz Stadium in the sky blue jersey,” said Lancaster, who played his first Test against Georgia a fortnight ago.

“It will be great to be a part of a backline in 2025 that includes players such as Max Jorgensen, Andrew Kellaway, and Joseph Suaali’i.”

Meanwhile, Tahs boss Doorn will depart at the end of the year after his position was made redundant following the takeover of the club by Rugby Australia.

Departing NSW Rugby Boss, Paul Doorn. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short

His departure was confirmed in a statement from Waratahs chairman Tony Crawford.

“We are deeply grateful for Paul’s leadership and dedication during his tenure. His contributions have been instrumental in navigating numerous challenges and achieving significant milestones for our organisation,” the statement said.

“This decision comes as part of a broader strategic alignment and integration of the NSW Waratahs with Rugby Australia, aimed at fostering greater synergy and collaboration across all levels of rugby in NSW.

“This integration is a crucial step towards strengthening the sport’s development and ensuring a sustainable and prosperous future for rugby in NSW.

“Paul will continue in his role, assisting the transition and introduction of new high performance staff at the NSW Waratahs until the end of the year, and embedding a new executive leadership structure for NSWRU.”