'The worst': New Waratahs low as brutal cleanout beckons

NSW Waratahs captain Jake Gordon labelled Friday night's loss to the Crusaders as the worst of his career as coach Dan McKellar forecast an off-season cleanout of underperforming players.

After picking up the dreaded wooden spoon last season, the Waratahs got off to a promising start under McKellar, winning their first three games.

After crushing the Western Force in March, star prop Angus Bell told Stan Sport that the new look Waratahs had the potential "to be a dominant force."

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Andrew Kellaway of the Waratahs looks dejected after defeat.

But the wheels have fallen off in the business end of the season.

That's despite the Sydney club picking up five Wallabies from the now defunct Melbourne Rebels in Taniela Tupou, Andrew Kellaway, Rob Leota, Isaac Kailea and Darby Lancaster.

Jake Gordon of the Waratahs steps in as Antonio Shalfoon and Miles Amatosero exchange words.

"This is the worst, I reckon, because we're a better team than that," Gordon said when asked to place Friday among his toughest losses.

"I guess it is familiar, this position, but the way we've performed at home this year – I thought we've performed really well, and tonight was nowhere near it."

Gordon was named captain of his state in 2021 and the Wallabies halfback has pulled on the sky blue jersey 108 times.

"Results speak for themselves," he said.

"There's been systemic issues for a bit of time now. We knew that was going to take time. I've spoken to Dan about this before. And there's been issues for a while now and that takes a while to change. It's just disappointing... we just need to worry about playing well and not be talking shit."

The Waratahs will finish their season with away games against the Western Force and the defending champion Blues.

Waratahs coach Dan McKellar watches on.

McKellar is a well credentialed coach who regularly piloted the ACT Brumbies deep into the Super Rugby finals.

He took the reins from Darren Coleman this season and the former Wallabies assistant has Mike Catt, Dan Palmer and Lachlan McCaffrey in his coaching team.

"It's definitely not an ability thing. There's no way it's an ability thing," McKellar said.

"I've been here a while now, a number of months now, and I think there are some things that are going to take time to change.

"There are some people that are too comfortable, and that needs to change. Because if you're too comfortable, just happy to be here and wear the tracksuit, that will change."

Indeed, it appears certain that several players will move on after not meeting high performance and training standards.

"You've got to want to do it day in, day out, week in, week out," McKellar said.

"A lot of guys are doing that. There's a few that aren't. It's in daily habits. If we look at the Waratahs as a whole over the last few years, there are things that need to change. It will take time, that's the reality.

"We showed some fight in the second half, but you can't get to 31-7 at halftime and need a spray from the coach to get a reaction.

Miles Amatosero of the Waratahs looks dejected after defeat.

"This is a professional game and we need to be like that from the first minute. People need to buy into the change otherwise we'll change other things."

It was ironic that Crusaders coach Rob Penney was the man to rub salt into NSW's wounds.

Penney was sacked in 2021 after being unable to turn the Waratahs ship around.

Waratahs coach Rob Penney at GIO Stadium.

After missing the finals last year, the Crusaders are now flying high again in second place with a 9-3 record.

"I'm just proud of the boys, the effort that they put in, they got the rewards," Penney said.

"Really pleasing for the group, especially after we had a wee bit of disruption during the week, short turnaround, and to come here and win, I'm rapt."

"The next Australian 10 for the Lions series?

"No, he's great value for us. He's awesome, both on and off the park."