Wallabies star among major Aussie rugby exodus
The NSW Waratahs and Western Force have waved goodbye to a full rugby team between them.
The Waratahs on Friday announced that nine players were leaving the club after missing the Super Rugby Pacific finals, headlined by Wallabies veteran Andrew Kellaway.
Andrew Kellaway will be a key man for the Wallabies. AP
The other departing players are Charlie Gamble, Joey Walton, Tom Lambert, Jamie Adamson, Leafi Talataina, Michael McDonald, Jack Debreczeni and Ioane Moananu.
The Force, who beat the Waratahs in Perth on Saturday, are farewelling six players: George Bridge, Max Burey, Feao Fotuaika, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Darby Lancaster and Titi Nofoagatotoa.
Kellaway, 30, has played 49 Tests for Australia - most recently against Ireland in November - but the outside back struggled to find his best form this season.
The Waratahs are well stocked for outside backs including Max Jorgensen, Sid Harvey, Harry Potter and Triston Reilly.
“On behalf of the Waratahs, I would like to thank all the players that are leaving for the significant contribution they have made to the club, both on and off the field,” Waratahs director of high performance BJ Mather said.
“Some have been here for several years, others for less, but every one of them has demonstrated immense commitment to the club and given their all in a Waratahs jersey. We wish them and their families all the best for the future and what lies next.”
Kellaway was keen to join the rebel R360 competition but it failed to get off the ground.
He has long been planning for a career post-rugby and it remains to be seen whether he will play on.
Andrew Kellaway of the Waratahs looks on after losing. Getty
Kellaway started working part-time for a foreign exchange company in 2024.
“My career after rugby in a weird way really excites me... try and excel and work your way up exactly like you did in rugby. Hopefully it provides a bit of balance and we’ll see where we go,” he told nine.com.au in 2025.
“It’s still a little bit like first day at school in the office at the moment. I don’t know what to do with my hands and it’s a bit weird, but no, it’s good. Sometimes I’m staring at the board, like, ‘should I write something, let everyone know that I’m contributing’?”
Lancaster, a one-cap Wallabies winger, has been linked with a move across the Tasman to the Blues.
Burey will join the Waratahs next season.
The ACT Brumbies and Queensland Reds will fly the flag for Australia in the Super Rugby finals this weekend, live on Stan Sport.
