NSW Waratahs prop Tom Lambert is reaping the benefits of his decision to return home and turn down Scotland as the loosehead hunts for higher honours behind a powerhouse scrum.
Lambert has been one of the unsung heroes of the Waratahs’ undefeated start to the season, who got a chance to test their premiership credentials against the Hurricanes last night.
The Waratahs saw an exodus of Test front-rowers in 2025, with Angus Bell, Dave Porecki and Taniela Tupou all departing.
It left Lambert and co to step up, delivering a powerful scrummaging performance.
According to Opta, the Waratahs sit ninth for total scrums yet led the competition for scrum penalties won (six).
In fact, over half (53%) of their scrums have ended in either a penalty or free kick going their way.
Lambert has found himself at the forefront of the success, crediting the entire pack and scrum coach Dan Palmer.
“I think with me, ‘Dobby’ [Ethan Dobbins] and [Dan] Botha are stepping in for the likes of ‘Belly’, Nela [Taniela Tupou] and ‘Pork’ [Dave Porecki], so obviously those are heavyset Wallabies and we want to be able to step up to that role,” he told Rugby.com.au.
“It’s a big responsibility on us, but I think it’s just made it so easy the way ‘Palms’ has kind of implemented these systems.
“I feel like it’s not just the front row that gets the scrum going forward, it’s all eight and that’s the kind of mentality. It’s all eight every scrum, and we don’t take all the credit…it’s definitely a whole pack thing and I wouldn’t get forward if it wasn’t for my locks or my back row.”
With the departure of James Slipper at Test level, it leaves a gap Lambert is hungry to fill, having turned down previous opportunities with Scotland.
Eligible through his grandfather, Lambert represented Scotland at the U20s while he was at Glasgow. But the chance to represent his boyhood club brought him back and solidified his hunt for a gold jersey.
NSW Waratahs prop Tom Lambert in action against the Blues during a 2025 Super Rugby Pacific match. Picture: TOM LAMBERT/ INSTRAGRAM
