NSW Waratahs prop Tom Lambert is enjoying the rewards of his decision to return home, opting to decline an opportunity with Scotland as he sets his sights on achieving higher honors alongside a strong scrum. Lambert has emerged as one of the unsung heroes during the Waratahs’ undefeated start to the season, and he had a chance to further showcase their championship aspirations against the Hurricanes last night.
The Waratahs faced a significant loss in their front-row department with the departure of Test players Angus Bell, Dave Porecki, and Taniela Tupou in 2025. This meant that Lambert and his fellow teammates needed to step up, which they did by putting forth a formidable scrummaging performance. According to statistics from Opta, while the Waratahs currently rank ninth in total scrums, they lead the competition with six scrum penalties won, meaning that more than half (53%) of their scrums have resulted in penalties or free kicks in their favor.
Lambert attributes this success to the entire forward pack and scrum coach Dan Palmer, emphasizing the collaborative effort involved. “I think with me, ‘Dobby’ [Ethan Dobbins] and [Dan] Botha stepping in for the likes of ‘Belly’, Nela [Taniela Tupou] and ‘Pork’ [Dave Porecki], it’s a big responsibility on us, but it’s been made easy by the systems that ‘Palms’ has implemented,” Lambert told Rugby.com.au. He believes that the success of scrumming involves not just the front row but all eight players on the field, fostering a strong team mentality.
With the exit of James Slipper from Test rugby, Lambert is eager to seize the opportunity to fill that void, particularly having turned down prior chances with Scotland. Although eligible to play for Scotland through his grandfather and having represented them at U20 level while in Glasgow, Lambert’s determination to represent his boyhood club solidifies his pursuit of a gold jersey for Australia. As he continues to develop his skills on the pitch, the Waratahs and their fans can look forward to greater achievements as Lambert leads the charge.
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