The HSBC Waratahs are the professional representative rugby team for New South Wales and compete in the Super Rugby competition.
As the oldest provincial rugby body in the southern hemisphere, the NSW Waratahs’ history dates back 139 years to the establishment of the Southern Rugby Football Union. In 1892 this became the NSW Rugby Union with the introduction of the Waratah logo and the Cambridge blue jersey.
Established by NSWRU as a separate entity in 2011, Waratahs Rugby administers all the aspects of the professional game, including the participation of the HSBC Waratahs in the annual Super Rugby competition.
From humble beginnings in the late 19th century to all the action of the Super Rugby competition of today, the NSW Waratahs have always showed spirit, passion and pride in the sky blue jersey.
1990 - 2001
- During the 1990s, the NSW Waratahs entered the Super Six, Super Ten and Super 12 competitions. The Waratahs were also crowned State of the Union Champions (the then title for NSW v Queensland contests) in 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1998.Prior to the landmark 2002 season, the Waratahs finished as high as sixth and as low as ninth in the Southern Hemisphere's premier provincial competition.
2002-2004
- In 2002, the Waratahs went a long way in changing perceptions of the team and the Union when after finishing the regular season in second place the Waratahs qualified for their first finals series. While the semifinal result wasn't to the liking of many, a renewed sense of optimism and pride had been instilled.
- Although the team narrowly missed out on a semi-final position in 2003, it was a significant year in many other ways. Not only did The Australian Rugby Union host the Rugby World Cup but after the full repayment of the $4.6 million loan, governance of the Union was returned to the NSW Board.
- 2004 saw the beginning of the Ewen McKenzie era. Having replaced Bob Dwyer as head coach, the former Waratah and Wallaby prop instituted sweeping changes, including the implementation of a fully integrated NSW Waratah Academy.One of McKenzie's most successful moves was to bring back the end of season tour. In taking travelling teams to Argentina in October 2004 and Eastern Europe 12 months later, he not only gifted himself an excellent recruitment tool, but he also gave fringe players a reason to remain in the NSW system. A number of players have won full-time contracts as a result of the tour's re-introduction.
2005 -2007
- 2005 saw the Waratahs truly come of age. Under the leadership of captain Chris Whitaker, the Waratahs won more games than ever before en route to their first appearance in a Super 12 Final. While history will show the result of that cold night in Christchurch didn't go the Waratahs way, the platform for a successful future had been laid.
- 2006 saw the Waratahs once again at the forefront of what was by now called the Super 14, following the introduction of the Western Force and the Cheetahs of South Africa. After a high quality campaign the Waratahs finished the regular season in third position to qualify for their second straight semifinals appearance. Unfortunately for McKenzie, Whitaker and the team, the Waratahs went down to the Hurricanes in a highly competitive and at times controversial semifinal, played at Wellington's Westpac Stadium. The loss marked the end of a glittering career at the Waratahs for Whitaker, who left as the highest capped player in NSW Rugby history at the time. His 118 matches for his state was a record at the time.
- The 2007 Waratahs began the second season of Super 14 full of confidence after two straight finals appearances. Pre-season injuries to Daniel Vickerman, Alex Kanaar and Matt Dunning were shrugged off as the Waratahs opened their year with a good win at altitude in Johannesburg. However, the season soon turned for the team, who lost new skipper Phil Waugh to a long term ankle injury in round three. They would win just two more games, against the Reds and Hurricanes, while the fifth round clash with the Western Force finished in a draw. Crucially, the Waratahs lost six games by seven points or less on the way to a 13th placed finish.
2008 - 2010
- 2008 was a stellar year for the HSBC Waratahs. Finishing second in the regular season they went on to meet the Crusaders in the Final in Christchurch. The home team won the title 20-12 in a thrilling match.
- The 2009 season saw another expansion of the competition leading to the name change of Super 14. The HSBC Waratahs had a successful season narrowly missing out on a spot in the semi finals due to a bonus point.
- 2010 was another successful year for the HSBC Waratahs finishing 3rd in the regular season and making the semi final in which they went down to the Bulls in Cape Town. The season was driven by an undefeated season at home with five victories at the Sydney Football Stadium and the team’s first ever win at ANZ Stadium. The team also scored its highest number of points in a Super 14 season (391), which was the result of a record number of tries (45). As well as this, the team achieved Australia’s biggest Super 14 crowd (40,271) since 2004.
2011- 2012
- In 2011, in what was the revamped Super Rugby Competition, the Waratahs fnished 5th and made the qualifying finals, in which they lost to the Blues.
- The 2012 season saw the Waratahs slump to an overall placing of 11th under coach Michael Foley. During the season, the Waratahs won just 4 Super Rugby games and lost 12 games. Their performance and style of play sparked much criticism throughout the year and lead to the appointment of new and current coach Michael Cheika. The change was made in hope of bringing about a revived and improved playing standard.