ROMA’s Santos Festival of Rugby and the sport in general has been rocked by a tragedy involving the eldest son of Wallaby legend Phil Waugh.
According to Code Sports, 21-year-old Jack Waugh passed away last Friday as a result of an accidental drug overdose.
“Words cannot express the profound sadness we feel at the loss of our son Jack,” the family said in a statement.
“Jack was a fun-loving young man whose warmth and spirit touched all who knew him and he will remain forever in our hearts. As we come to terms with the shock of his passing, we kindly ask that the privacy of his family and friends be respected during this time of grief.
“We are deeply grateful for the messages of love and support we have received.”
Prior to his son’s death, Phil Waugh, a former Australian captain who was capped 79 times and now serving as Rugby Australia’s chief executive officer, had been lined up for today’s ‘long lunch’, presented by local club, Roma Echidnas, and part of this weekend’s Santos Festival of Rugby at Roma.
Also on the program were Nathan Sharpe, another ex-Wallaby captain and now RA president, new Queensland Reds coach Vern Cotter and NSW coach Locky McCaffrey, who took the Waratahs to the inaugural Super Rugby AUS title last year and soon to be replaced by former national coach Michael Cheika.
As for Roma’s on-field action, an end-of-season game tomorrow (Saturday) between arch rivals, the Reds and Waratahs, is the marquee fixture.
The action-packed program at Gallas Fox Park is as follows:
9:30am: Queensland v NSW (Women’s 7s) Game 1
10:00am: Queensland v NSW Under 19s
12:00pm: Queensland vs NSW (Women’s 7s) Game 2
12:30pm: Classic Wallabies Coaching Clinic
1:30pm: Queensland v NSW (Women’s 7s) Game 3
2:00pm: Vintage Reds v Vintage Waratahs (10s)
3:30pm: Queensland v NSW (Super Rugby Women’s Exhibition)
5:45pm: Queensland v NSW (Super Rugby AUS)
POSTED: Friday, September 18, 2026