Suaalii is powerful, strong in the air and can seemingly offload at will. In the slightly looser defensive structures of Super Rugby, he will be looking to shine on debut – and beyond.
Can Taniela Tupou stay fit?
A fit and happy Taniela Tupou is a dangerous player – and judging by his consistent beaming smile at Waratahs training, All Blacks loosehead prop Ethan de Groot will have a significant challenge on his hands in the scrum on Friday.
McKellar was a major factor in Tupou’s decision to move to Sydney and the player has worked hard to get himself into prime condition for the start of Super Rugby.
Tupou packs down in a potential Wallabies starting front row with Dave Porecki at hooker and Angus Bell at loosehead. The danger comes if Tupou gets injured.
Wallabies and Waratahs prop Taniela Tupou have been given a kind early drawCredit: Brendan Hertel/RugbyAU Media.
The Waratahs have two young tighthead apprentices in Siosifa Amone and Daniel Botha ready to step in if Tupou goes down, but there is a significant drop-off in experience and ability. Tupou’s fitness remains one of the most crucial factors for the Waratahs.
Last year, the Waratahs lost all 10 contracted front-rowers to injury, along with their fourth-choice hooker. McKellar has sorted out the sub-par surface on the training field and will desperately hope it keeps his star prop safe and sound.
Can they start strongly?
The early draw has been extremely kind to the Waratahs. After facing the Highlanders at Allianz Stadium on Friday, they have a bye, then host the Drua and Force.
If Super Rugby was a golf course, the Waratahs would be aiming to pick up birdies on the front four, knowing that there are some treacherous holes to come further on.
After the Force, the Waratahs travel to face the Reds in Brisbane, host the Brumbies and then travel to Wellington to play the Hurricanes. Those would be tough fixtures at the best of times, but if the Waratahs get off to a rough start then they become even more daunting.
Every game is important in the Super Rugby sprint, but three wins would give the Waratahs momentum and a points buffer before facing greater challenges.
Can the star individuals become a cohesive unit?
The Rebels’ demise has benefited all the remaining Australian Super Rugby clubs, but the Waratahs got the pick of the players.
Tupou, Kellaway, Darby Lancaster, Rob Leota and Isaac Kailea have all arrived from Melbourne as Wallabies. Alongside the welcome Victorian influx, the Waratahs also welcome back Porecki to full fitness, after the influential hooker missed the whole of last season.
The Waratahs’ strongest line-up has only played one full trial game together, against the Brumbies in Bowral – and that was without Suaalii, who was at home icing his knee. Evidently, no match simulation at training can replicate the reality of Super Rugby.
There will inevitably be ring rust on Friday evening against an extremely hard-working Highlanders side who would love to upset the odds in Sydney. The new-look Waratahs need time to gel – but, equally, patience in Super Rugby is short.
Can Tane Edmed step up?
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It takes a lot to put a rugby tragic like Edmed off the game, but last season’s wooden spoon just about did it for the talented playmaker. By the final game of the year, against the Reds, Edmed was dropped to the bench and his starting spot taken by Jack Bowen.
Edmed travelled to New Zealand to play in the NPC for North Harbour and not only rediscovered his love of the game, but also put himself into contention for the Wallabies.
While Schmidt remains Wallabies coach, it will be almost impossible to dislodge Noah Lolesio from the starting spot, but Edmed knows he is now pushing to fill the second slot.
Edmed is a tough player with the awareness to unleash the Waratahs’ talented backline at will. After missing a penalty after the siren against the Highlanders last year, Edmed has a fresh opportunity to take the Waratahs to the next level – but to do this, he needs to deliver when the pressure is most exacting. It starts on Friday night.
