All eyes on Waratahs' new Wallaby recruit

SPOTLIGHT: He may be a Wallaby, but Isaac Kailea knows he needs to lift to secure a starting position for the Waratahs.

The former Rebel has joined a decorated Waratahs front row featuring fellow Wallabies Taniela Tupou and Angus Bell as well as rising stars Adrian Brown, Tom Lambert and Siosifa Amone.

Despite starting against the world champion Springboks six months ago, Kailea hasn’t settled into the side like he hoped to, excluded from the Waratahs’ opening Super Rugby Pacific fixture against the Highlanders.

But the prop will at least start on the bench against the Fijian Drua on Friday at the Sydney Football Stadium after coach Dan McKellar elevated him into the matchday 23.

Kailea knows full well the competition for spots in Australia’s four remaining Super franchises is hot following the axing of the cash-strapped Rebels.

“One less team means there’s a lot more talent in the teams,” he said after Thursday’s captain’s run.

“I’ll miss out on a couple of games here and there, it’s just whether I can put my best foot forward come Friday and hopefully stick in the team.

“I was a bit disappointed, but I’m in a new environment, and it’s taking me a bit longer to get used to the team and the system.

“We’ve got players like Adrian Brown, Tom Lambert, who’s on the Australia A tour, so whenever I get a game in, it’ll be good.”

Kailea enjoyed a breakout season with the Rebels last year, making 13 appearances and was rewarded with his Wallabies call-up.

He featured in Australia’s Rugby Championship campaign and in Tests against Wales and Georgia.

But now, he’s focused on the Drua, who are searching for their first win of the season as the Waratahs chase a two-from-two start.

Kailea expects the Drua will have grown in confidence over the past seasons and it’s up to his team to rise to the occasion.

“We’ve got to bring physicality,” he said.

“They can throw offloads from anywhere, they can run and play from anywhere.

“They’re not the Drua from the past couple of years [who missed the finals].”