Andrew Kellaway is on the plane to Canberra this time.
The 30-year-old veteran of 49 Wallabies Tests is back in the NSW Waratahs lineup for just the second time this year after a humbling start to the 2026 Super Rugby season.
Injuries to James Hendren and Harry Potter have opened the door for Kellaway to start on the right wing against the ACT Brumbies at GIO Stadium on Friday night.
Watch the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season with every match streaming live and on demand on the home of rugby, Stan Sport
Andrew Kellaway of the Waratahs reacts at Allianz Stadium. Getty
Earlier this month Kellaway took the bus to the nation’s capital as a member of the Waratahs ‘A’ side for a low-key afternoon clash with their Brumbies equivalents at the University of Canberra.
“It was certainly different to the game I played before that (against the Hurricanes at Allianz Stadium) or the game before that in Dublin in front of 58,000 people (against Ireland in November),” Kellaway told reporters on Thursday.
“It’s been a tough couple of months, so it’s nice to be back in the mix. I could sit there and mope and say how s— it is to sit on the bus for four hours, play a game and get back on the bus, but nobody wins out of that and especially not me. It’s just a decision. You’ve got to make the decision at some point to get on with it.”
READ MORE: DCE’s complicated Manly legacy and why some will boo him
READ MORE: Gould backs ‘healthy’ Madge stance after ugly coach exit
READ MORE: Salary rule to stop Kerr cashing in with monster deal in USA
Zach Fittler of Australia warms up at FMG Stadium Waikato. Getty
Kellaway found himself on the end of a youthful NSW backline that included teenage outside centre Zach Fittler, the son of league legend Brad.
“It’s a different approach, a different perspective. It actually was really fun, some guys in that group are going to be exceptional players so to be able to have a chance to help them through has been really good,” he said.
“I’m not the first bloke and won’t be the last to be on the other side of the selection decision, so you’ve got to remember that.
“I’ve been extremely happy with the way I’ve been training for the last two months, so that’s all you can do in those situations. I’m glad that I’ve put my head down and got on with it.”
Kellaway started three of Australia’s five Spring Tour Tests at fullback under Joe Schmidt last year.
But with Narrabri product Sid Harvey looking a real prospect, he’s happy to be wearing No.14 against the Brumbies, who are again setting the pace for the Aussie contenders.
Sid Harvey of the Waratahs makes a line break. Getty
He said there were no hard feelings towards Waratahs boss Dan McKellar.
“Dan’s a great coach – he’s had to drop people and select people in the past and we both know that’s part of it. At the end of the day, there’s no bad blood there,” Kellaway said.
“My training form’s been as good as it’s been throughout my career so that’s all I can do and I’m at peace with that. I certainly feel extremely content and extremely satisfied with what I’ve put out, and at the end of the day, I don’t make the decision.”
Joe Schmidt talks to Andrew Kellaway at GWS headquarters. Getty
Kellaway is off contract at the end of the season.
He was interested in taking up a R360 deal before that start-up competition fell through and he now needs to put some strong tape in front of prospective employers.
The Wallabies outside back picture continues to get more competitive with Zac Lomax signing on and Northampton’s James Ramm joining him at the Western Force ahead of the home Rugby World Cup next season.
Impressing McKellar and snapping a three-game Waratahs losing streak is the immediate priority for Kellaway.
NSW beat the Queensland Reds and Fijian Drua to kick off 2026 before losses to the Hurricanes, Reds and Blues.
Kellaway will be marking Wallabies teammate Corey Toole on Friday, fresh from his match-clinching heroics against the Chiefs.
“I haven’t had a great deal of opportunities this year and I’d like to get back on the field,” Kellaway said.
“Probably at this point, really, it’s about proving to myself and some people in the building here that I’ve still got what it takes to be at this level.
“Once I’ve had a chance to do that, then we’ll see.”
ACT Brumbies v NSW Waratahs
FRI 27 MAR: GIO Stadium, Canberra (7.35pm kickoff AEDT)
BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Billy Pollard, Darcy Breen, Lachie Shaw, Cadeyrn Neville, Rob Valetini, Rory Scott, Charlie Cale, Ryan Lonergan (c), Declan Meredith, Corey Toole, David Feliuai, Kadin Pritchard, Ollie Sapsford, Andy Muirhead
Replacements: Liam Bowron, Blake Schoupp, Tevita Alatini, Toby Macpherson, Luke Reimer, Klayton Thorn, Tane Edmed, Hudson Creighton
WARATAHS (1-15): Tom Lambert, Ethan Dobbins, Daniel Botha, Matt Philip (c), Miles Amatosero, Clem Halaholo, Jamie Adamson, Pete Samu, Jake Gordon, Jack Debreczeni, Max Jorgensen, Lawson Creighton, Joey Walton, Andrew Kellaway, Sid Harvey
Replacements: Folau Fainga’a, Jack Barrett, Siosifa Amone, Angus Blyth, Charlie Gamble, Angus Scott-Young, Teddy Wilson, Triston Reilly
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant Referees: George Myers, Matt Kellahan
TMO: Graham Cooper