The Super Rugby Pacific season has commenced with a pre-season trial followed by early rounds for the Queensland Reds and NSW Waratahs, featuring varied match outcomes and player developments. The Waratahs secured victories in their pre-season trial and first two regular season matches, while the Reds registered a win against the Highlanders following their season-opening loss to the Waratahs. Player updates include Lukhan Salakaia-Loto's early season form for the Reds and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii's injury for the Waratahs.
Pre-Season Trial: Waratahs Defeat Reds at Ballymore
On Saturday, January 31, the Queensland Reds hosted the NSW Waratahs in a pre-season trial match at Ballymore, which functions as the BMS National Rugby Training Centre.
The Waratahs secured a 49-19 victory over the Reds in a match attended by 3,218 spectators, leading 35-12 at half-time.
For the Waratahs, tries were scored by Leafi Talataina (2), Harry Potter, George Poolman, Teddy Wilson, Clem Halaholo, and Sid Harvey, with Sid Harvey converting seven attempts. The Reds' points came from tries by Jock Campbell, Richie Asiata, and Matt Faessler, with conversions from Carter Gordon and Harry McLaughlin-Phillips. Harry Potter initiated the Waratahs' scoring in the second minute with a 65-meter run after an intercepted pass. Richie Asiata scored for the Reds from a rolling maul, and Matt Faessler added a try from a quick tap at full-time.
Reds Head Coach Les Kiss stated the team had "plenty to work on" and acknowledged the Waratahs "played us off the park in quite a few areas." He noted the Reds' maul was strong at times but execution was poor, and the team "tried to play a bit too cute."
Kiss highlighted a lack of consistent collective effort to pressure the Waratahs and identified defensive resilience within their own 22 as an area for improvement.
Individual Reds performances included Treyvon Pritchard's footwork and clearing kicks, Josh Canham's workrate, and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto forcing a turnover.
The trial marked a rare occasion for Ballymore to host a Reds-Waratahs pre-season match, the last having occurred in 2005. Reds lock and 45-Test Wallaby Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, who began his career at Ballymore in 2016, participated in the match, serving as a mentor for younger Reds forwards such as Vaiuta Latu and Charlie Brosnan. Salakaia-Loto's objective for the current season includes consistent game time, role consistency, and performance improvement, following a previous season limited to seven Super Rugby Pacific appearances due to injuries. The match also featured a lock matchup between Salakaia-Loto and Josh Canham for Queensland, against Waratahs' Matt Philip and Angus Blyth. The game was broadcast live on Stan Sport.
Super Rugby Pacific Round 1: Waratahs Defeat Reds
In their Super Rugby Pacific season opener held in Sydney, the NSW Waratahs defeated the Queensland Reds 36-12, securing a bonus point with five tries and ending a four-match losing streak against their rivals.
The match was attended by 16,655 spectators, with the half-time score 17-12 in favor of the Waratahs.
Winger Max Jorgensen scored two tries for the Waratahs. Other try-scorers included Clem Halaholo, who scored the opening try in the seventh minute, Isaac Kailea in the 65th minute, and replacement half Teddy Wilson with a late try. Flyhalf Lawson Creighton successfully kicked five goals from five attempts. The Reds' tries came from Joe Brial in the 20th minute and one other before half-time.
Key moments included Jorgensen's first try, a 70-meter run after receiving offloads, and his second try resulting from lead-up play by Charlie Gamble and a cross-field kick from Jack Debreczeni. Queensland's Vaiuta Latu was sin-binned for offside play, leading to a penalty goal for the Waratahs.
Waratahs coach Dan McKellar praised Jorgensen's performance and stated the team's aim to maintain an attacking style of play. He expressed satisfaction with the team's ability to finish strongly, crediting the bench's impact, as well as the team's defense, fitness, and discipline. McKellar also acknowledged periods of sloppiness, including conceding a try shortly after Jorgensen's first and difficulties converting possession into points in the third quarter, despite the Reds incurring 17 penalties and a yellow card. The Waratahs led by five points at the 65th minute.
Reds coach Les Kiss attributed the loss partly to the Waratahs' possession advantage and field position, alongside a significant penalty count against his team.
Kiss noted the Reds' resilience in keeping the game within five points with 20 minutes remaining but observed they could not secure a decisive break due to penalties and Waratahs capitalizing on opportunities.
Super Rugby Pacific Round 2: Waratahs Secure Second Consecutive Win
The Waratahs continued their season with a 36-13 victory over the Fijian Drua in Sydney during Round 2. The match was played in hot, humid conditions.
Waratahs number eight Pete Samu, a 34-Test veteran, participated in the match hours after the birth of his child. Charlie Gamble scored the opening try for the Waratahs after 10 minutes. The Drua responded with a try from Taniela Rukuro, a conversion and penalty goal from Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, leading 12-10 four minutes before half-time. Max Jorgensen then scored a try for the Waratahs, giving them a 14-10 lead at the break.
In the second half, the Waratahs extended their lead. Debut hooker Ioane Moananu scored two tries, and second-rower Angus Blyth also scored his first try after entering the game from the bench.
Max Jorgensen secured his second try of the night, his fourth in two games, in the final minute of play.
The Queensland Reds had a bye during Round 2.
Super Rugby Pacific Round 3: Waratahs Suffer Significant Defeat
In Round 3, the Waratahs experienced their first defeat of the season, losing to the Hurricanes by 40 points in a match where the Hurricanes scored nine tries to the Waratahs' three.
Waratahs center Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii sustained a hamstring injury during the warm-up, potentially sidelining him for up to six weeks.
Waratahs coach Dan McKellar characterized the loss as a "reality check," citing the team's performance issues including 18 turnovers, 28 missed tackles out of 128 attempts, and defensive vulnerabilities that allowed the Hurricanes 12 clean breaks. The team also faced a period with 13 players on the field due to two sin bins. Rookie fullback Sid Harvey made his debut from the bench, performing effectively in the final half-hour.
Waratahs captain Matt Philip emphasized the need for a strong team reaction and a thorough review of their performance.
Reds Player Update: Lukhan Salakaia-Loto's Early Season Form
Queensland Reds lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto has demonstrated strong performances early in the Super Rugby Pacific season, including in the Reds' recent win over the Highlanders.
These efforts are part of his aim to secure a more prominent role in future Wallabies squads.
Salakaia-Loto, who will turn 30 this year, has previously played against the British and Irish Lions in three tour matches. He was included in Wallabies squads for the Rugby Championship and the European spring tour in 2025, with his Test match involvement limited to four of 11 matches during a previous period, including one bench appearance against England.
Salakaia-Loto views a physical role as a responsibility within the team, contributing to defense and ruck work. The Reds are scheduled to play against the ACT Brumbies in Canberra, a venue where the Reds have not won since 2021.