Former ACT Brumbies and Leicester Tigers coach Dan McKellar has signed a three-year contract to become the new NSW Waratahs coach and will return to Australia next season, the club confirmed on Friday.
McKellar, 47, succeeds Darren Colman in the role after the Waratahs decided not to renew the former coach’s contract beyond this year’s tumultuous Super Rugby Pacific season. Injuries plagued their campaign, with the New South Welshman winning just two of their 14 games.
But there is reason for Tahs fans to be excited about the future as the pieces of the club’s new frontier continue to come together. With the signing of Simon Raiwalui, the Sydney-based club have secured the services of the reigning Super Rugby AU champions.
As Australian fans will recall, McKellar led the charge as the Brumbies won the title in 2020. It was just one highlight in a coaching career that has spanned both domestically and internationally.
It is little wonder that Tahs described the highly regarded rugby pundit as an “outstanding candidate” in his statement. McKellar eventually went on to become head coach of the Wallabies for several years.
“We are delighted to have a head coach of Dan McKellar’s caliber join Waratahs,” CEO Paul Dorn said in a statement.
“Dan has had an impressive coaching career and achieved great success with the ACT Brumbies in Super Rugby during his five-year tenure.
“Dan will work closely with High Performance Director Simon Rywalui and their partnership represents exciting new territory for Waratahs.
“I am confident that the appointments of Dan and Simon will put the Waratahs on a path to continued success through to 2025 and beyond.”
McKellar played over 150 games for Brisbane’s South Rugby Club before turning to coaching. The Australian was head coach of the prestigious Queensland club from 2008 to 2010 before moving south to Canberra.
The Tuggeranong Vikings have signed McKellar as their Director of Coaching and Head Coach. McKellar later moved on to NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes in Japan, ACT Brumbies and University of Canberra Vikings before returning to Super Rugby with the Brumbies.
The Brumbies, who have played in Australia’s rugby powerhouse for only the second time, reached the semi-finals in 2019, won Super Rugby AU the following year and also performed bravely in the 2021 grand final against the Queensland Reds in Brisbane.
McKellar has represented Australia and most recently Leicester Tigers and is looking forward to joining the Waratahs.
“I am very excited to join the NSW Waratahs,” McKellar said.
“Rugby in NSW has a proud history spanning over 150 years and the Waratahs are the state’s most outstanding representatives.
“The club may have fallen short of expectations in 2024, but the foundations for improvement have been laid.
“I am motivated and passionate about delivering significantly improved performances next season and this will consist of continued efforts to make the loyal Waratahs fan base proud.”
