Wallabies gun ‘really upset’ as ‘world-class’ coach walks
Wallabies stalwart Tom Wright has expressed his shock and sadness following Dan McKellar’s early exit from the NSW Waratahs on Monday.
McKellar parted ways with the Waratahs with a year left on his contract after failing to reach the Super Rugby finals in his two seasons at the helm.
Waratahs coach Dan McKellar has coached his final match for the Super Rugby franchise. Getty
Wright rose to prominence under McKellar at the ACT Brumbies and the pair also worked together during the coach’s spell with the Wallabies under Dave Rennie.
“Massively sad to see what has transpired, don’t know the full story,” Wright said at the Wallabies’ hotel in Sydney on Tuesday, ahead of Saturday’s sold-out Nations Championship opener against Ireland.
“I shot him a message, just wanted to make sure I showed him some love. He gave me my opportunity to come down to Canberra (in 2019).
“We met for a coffee in Goulburn and we worked from there. I imagine it could be pretty lonely. He said that a lot of people had reached out and shown him some love which was good. I can’t imagine his next opportunity will be far away, he’s absolute world-class.”
McKellar’s Waratahs finished eighth in 2026 - last among the four Australian sides - after winning just five of 14 games.
In 2025, McKellar just missed the finals after winning six matches.
While McKellar hoped to lead the Waratahs into a third season next year, a damning review over the last fortnight ushered in the winds of change at the troubled club.
“Wherever he lands next, he’ll be an absolute gem for whatever environment he goes into,” Wright said.
“I was really upset for him, but I know that the next opportunity’s going to be great for him, but great for wherever he goes as well because he’s world-class.
“He takes places to the next level when he’s got the right sort of environment to go into and be able to create as well.”
Tom Wright of Australia celebrates scoring his team's first try. nna\sworthington
McKellar was blindsided after being asked to present to the Waratahs board and Rugby Australia high-performance director Peter Horne on Friday.
Wright said McKellar’s passion set him aside from other coaches.
“His ability to show love to those who needed it, show a little bit of tougher love to those who obviously needed it as well,” he said.
“And to be able to run that balance, all the way from the youngest guy through to the oldest guy, backs through to the forwards. Being able to manage that as a group can be really tough sometimes. I’ve seen a number of guys do that better than others, and Dan was really good at that.
“We had arguably one of the best set pieces cutting around for a number of years there at the Brumbies in my earlier days. I was obviously quite far away from the set piece, but I know that he gets held in very, very high regard around that.”
McKellar’s departure comes shortly after former England star Mike Catt left his post as the Waratahs’ attack coach.
Dan Palmer (forwards) and Lachy McCaffrey (defence) remain as Waratahs assistants.
“I have decided to step away from my role as head coach of the NSW Waratahs for personal reasons,” McKellar said in a statement.
“I step away knowing I have given my all to help turn the Waratahs’ fortunes around over the last two seasons. As a coaching group, we have all worked incredibly hard to drive positive and necessary change.
“I’d like to thank Dan Palmer, Locky McCaffrey, Mike Catt and Tom Carter for their hard work and support. I’d also like to thank captain Matt Philip for his support.
Dan McKellar and Matt Philip at Allianz Stadium. Stan
“As this journey for the Waratahs continues, I wish all the players and staff the very best for the future.”
Less than 10 players remain on the books from the Waratahs squad McKellar inherited in 2025.
Waratahs chairman Tony Crawford thanked McKellar for his contribution.
“On behalf of the board, players and staff at the Waratahs, I would like to thank Dan for his significant contribution to the club,” Crawford said.
“Dan has made a massive impact on the club since joining, both on and off the field. His work ethic and commitment to deliver his coaching program were second to none and he always put the Waratahs first.”
It’s unclear if the Waratahs and RA, who now run the club’s high-performance team, have a replacement target in mind.
McCaffrey is set to once again lead the Waratahs in Super Rugby AUS this year, but isn’t likely to be in the mix to take on the top job.
Scott Robertson of the All Blacks speaks to the media. Getty
Former All Blacks coach Scott Robertson, who was speared earlier this year despite having a 74 per cent winning record, would be a strong candidate if he wanted to jump back into Super Rugby.
An avid surfer, Robertson has previously said he would love to live close to Coogee or Noosa.
He also has a good relationship with RA chairman Dan Herbert.
But after winning seven consecutive Super Rugby titles with the Crusaders, the New Zealander might want to stretch his wings beyond the Southern Hemisphere.
Parramatta Eels assistant coach Scott Wisemantel is another compelling option, having been pipped by McKellar in 2024 for the NSW role.
The vastly experienced assistant has been to several World Cups and was a part of Rennie’s Wallabies team for three years, before resigning in2023.
Michael Cheika, who is currently Trent Robinson’s assistant at the Sydney Roosters, would be the perfect person to come in and turn things around.
Trent Robinson and Michael Cheika during a joint training session between the Waratahs and the Sydney Roosters at Kippax Lake on June 17, 2014 in Sydney, Australia. Getty
But there is doubt that RA would want him given previous Wallabies baggage.
Cheika also might not want to take on the role, having already delivered the club its only Super Rugby title.
Chris Whitaker is also around. The former Wallabies halfback is currently Australia’s under-20s coach and is a Waratahs legend.
Ex-Wallabies Stephen Hoiles and Chris Latham, who led their respective sides to the Major League Rugby final in the USA last week, are others who could step into the role.
Latham’s Chicago Hounds beat Hoiles’ California Legion 35-17 to cap a 12-match unbeaten season.
Ex-sevens mentor John Manenti, who is already turning around Sydney University, is another option who knows the NSW rugby system like the back of his hand.
