RIGHT WING
Rob Horne: 116 caps, 2008-2017
Rob Horne made his debut off the bench against the Blues at 18 and whacked Benson Stanley with a shot that shook the stadium, and showed what was to come over the next decade. After overcoming injuries early in his career, Horne played centre and wing for the Tahs and went full-tilt at every moment. He was on the wing for the Tahs’ 2014 Super Rugby premiership, and while he was never a headline-grabbing superstar, Horne was among the most loved by his teammates. Triston Reilly got it right when he picked him as the “streets don’t forget Waratah” late last year.
OUTSIDE CENTRE
Adam Ashley-Cooper: 76 caps (2012-2019)
The man known as “Swoop” was born and raised on the Central Coast, but began his career at the Brumbies and eventually returned home to NSW in 2012. A silky attacker who seemed to always beat the first man, AAC was a key component of the 2014 title charge, and was pivotal in the Tahs beating the Crusaders in the final, scoring two tries. He edged out Morgan Turinui.
Adam Ashley-Cooper scored two tries in the 2014 grand final.Credit: Stuart Walmsley/RUGBY.com.au
INSIDE CENTRE
Kurtley Beale: 148 caps (2007-2020)
Struck match between Beale and Nathan Grey for the No.12 jersey, but Beale gets the nod for a Waratahs career that saw him play in two Super Rugby finals – and win one. Played a range of positions after being thrown in the deep end as a former schoolboy whiz, Beale started in the No.12 in the 2014 title winning side. Creative genius who was able to single-handedly turn a match with a spark of brilliance. Second-most capped Waratah of the Super Rugby era. Shout out to Tom Carter here too. Arguably the most passionate Waratah to ever pull on the jersey.
LEFT WING
Lote Tuqiri: 78 caps (2003-2009)
Lote Tuqiri was the last of the famed NRL trio – Mat Rogers, Wendell Sailor and himself – to switch codes in 2003, but the Fijian flyer left the biggest mark on the Waratahs. Combining pace, power and under-appreciated game smarts, Tuqiri was the Tahs’ go-to weapon for seven seasons, in which he played in two finals. Horne and Tuqiri edged other wingers with strong claims, like Drew Mitchell, Scott Staniforth and Lachie Turner. Big Dell made a splash in blue but played just eight games for NSW in 2006.
FIVE-EIGHTH
Bernard Foley: 120 caps (2011-2019)
The winning goal: Bernard Foley kicks the winning penalty goal in the Super Rugby final against the Crusaders at ANZ Stadium.Credit: Matt King/Getty Images
Impossible to go past the “Iceman” as the Tahs’ dream team No.10. Not just because he nailed the penalty to give the Waratahs their only Super Rugby title, but in 120 games, Foley did what most others have not been able to do for NSW: hold down the No.10 jersey for eight seasons. An easy pick.
HALFBACK
Chris Whitaker (c): 118 caps (1997-2006)
Perhaps not as simple as the Foley pick, given the quality No.9s that have also come through the Tahs. But Chris Whitaker was the heart and soul of NSW rugby from 1997 to 2006, and holds the record for most halfback caps at 118. A determined and canny leader, with a bullet pass, and courage in defence. Easy pick as captain. Edges out Nick Phipps, Luke Burgess and Jake Gordon.
Super days: Chris Whitaker clears the ball from a Waratahs scrum against the Crusaders.Credit: The Press
NO.8
David Lyons: 106 caps (2000-2008)
The toughest call, given Wycliff Palu was a granite-shouldered colossus for the Tahs. But with recency bias, the relentless quality of David Lyons, particularly in a Waratahs jersey, is often forgotten. The powerhouse No.8 had a barnstorming running game, with size and good feet at the line, and he routinely broke defences in a nine-year career. As a reminder of Lyons’ excellence, he beat George Smith and Phil Waugh to win the John Eales medal in 2004. Others with claims include Daniel Manu and Willie Ofahengaue, who was oddly underused for the Tahs in the early years of Super 12.
OPENSIDE FLANKER
Michael Hooper: 141 caps (2012-2023)
Very, very tempted to go with captain Waratah himself, Phil Waugh, as no-one gave more to the Waratahs cause in the pro era. But Michael Hooper wasn’t far behind, and his all-round brilliance got him home. Hooper was the backbone of NSW for 11 seasons, and was stand-in skipper for the 2014 title. Won the player-voted Matthew Burke Cup for MVP in seven of his first eight years at the club. Holds the record most games as captain of the Tahs (64), ahead of Waugh (56).
BLINDSIDE FLANKER
Jacques Potgieter: 33 caps (2014-15)
Dream recruit: Jacques Potgieter gave the Waratahs an abrasive quality in 2014.Credit: Cameron Spencer
The shortest stint of any of the Dream Team but Potgieter’s two seasons were enough to deliver the Waratahs their biggest achievement: the 2014 title. Potgieter, an abrasive former Springbok, was recruited to harden up the Tahs and he did that. The flanker/lock had no regard for his own safety and set a physical standard that the rest of the Waratah pack followed, and bullied everyone in that season. You could probably replace any individual in that team and they’d still have won – but not “JacPot”. Edges Rocky Elsom.
LOCK
Dan Vickerman 53 caps (2004-2011)
Another hard South African whose work in the dark arts gave the Waratahs a steely reputation between 2004 and 2011. Vickerman was also a peerless lineout technician. Career was hampered by injury, and paused for study, but big “Vicks” remains one of the Tahs’ giants. Gone but not forgotten.
LOCK
Dave Dennis: 108 caps (2007-2016)
Another in the captain Waratah category, who gave every ounce of effort whenever he turned out for NSW. A genuine leader who played across the middle row. Captained the Waratahs in 2014 but suffered the cruellest blow by blowing his knee a few weeks before they won the Super Rugby title.
TIGHTHEAD PROP
Sekope Kepu: 140 caps (2008-2019)
A former No.8 as a New Zealand schoolboy, Kepu turned into a prop and before long was a cornerstone of the NSW and Australian scrum. But along with being a powerhouse scrummager, Kepu was an athlete who could run way faster than rivals expected, and score crazy tries. His insane 50-metre effort against the Chiefs in 2017 almost lost him his membership in the front rowers club. Kepu was also a superb leader of the young Pasifika players at the Tahs.
HOOKER
Tatafu Polota-Nau: 144 caps (2006-2016)
The nuggety Polota-Nau was pure Parramatta power. Pity the man who had to tackle “Taf”, or be tackled by him. Along with his front-row partners Kepu and Benn Robinson, TPN played in two finals for the Tahs (2008 and 2014) and was a consistent fan favourite.
Tatafu Polota-Nau, (left) Sekope Kepu and (right) Benn Robinson.Credit: Steve Christo
LOOSEHEAD PROP
Benn Robinson: 151 caps (2006-2016)
Known as the “Cat”, Robinson is the third and final pick of the trio. He never looked like an elite athlete but his freak strength at scrum time was loved by teammates, and his work around the paddock was too. No surprise, then, that Robinson holds the record for most Waratahs Super caps, with 151. Just beats out Richard Harry and fan favourite Matt Dunning, and Angus Bell, who will probably end up on this list in 2046.
COACH: Michael Cheika
Bob Dwyer and Ewen McKenzie get honourable mentions, but Cheika gets the clipboard after removing the monkey off the back with the Waratahs’ title win in 2014.
