NSW Waratahs appoint Paul Doorne as new CEO with a challenge
Ahead of theri season opener against the Crusaders, NSW Rugby hired Paul Doorn as Waratahs CEO and gave him the unenviable job of bringing an end to the factionalism in Sydney rugby.
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New Waratahs boss Paul Doorn is being hailed as the man to unite the warring factions in Sydney rugby and get the franchise financially stable.
Doorn was appointed as the NSW Waratahs chief executive on Friday, and will join the club in a month once he finishes duties as boss of Venues NSW which runs numerous stadiums and events across the state.
Up to 70 people applied for the job suddenly vacated late last year by Andrew Hore, who defected to New Zealand’s Auckland Blues, and an independent firm cut that group down to 12.
After three rounds of interviews with the NSW Rugby Union board, Doorn was given the gig.
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“He is a relationship builder and that’s really important, being able to build relationships between the commercial side of the business and the community,” Waratahs chairman Roger Davis said.
“We had a great list of candidates and he was the standout.
“He brings a lot of skills to the job, he’s got extensive government and commercial experience at a very senior level, he had an executive director position in the government’s department of sport, he has stadium experience which is advantageous when we’re building a $20 million dollar plus high performance centre at the University of NSW.”
Doorn will have a tough battle ahead as rugby struggles for the spotlight in a dense sporting marketplace, while the television rights being negotiated by Rugby Australia beyond this year will have a crucial bearing on funds for each franchise.
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“Having been involved in roles that support NSW to compete globally, I have a great appreciation for the importance of a thriving and inspiring sporting brand that binds communities together,” Doorn said.
“The opportunities to grow NSW Rugby’s market share and solidify NSWRU’s position as a leader in the Australian sports market are vast, and I look forward to working closely with the board and fellow senior leaders to realise these exciting opportunities.”
Davis said Doorn’s focus would be wide.
“It’s stabilising our financial platform and building business opportunities, it’s getting us back into the [Super Rugby] playoff picture, it’s harmonising the community and commercial stakeholders, it’s to grow the game, and they are all linked,” Davis said.
Doorn, a keen cyclist in his spare time, played country rugby for Kiama and for West Harbour in Sydney.
It used to be the old firm of Bernard Foley kicking across field to Israel Folau that gave rival defences nightmares.
But on Saturday, the Waratahs’ new deadly young duo of playmaker Will Harrison and Mark Nawaqanitawase will hope to execute the aerial tactic just as well against the champion Crusaders.
The tall and athletic Nawaqanitawase is tipped to be a future superstar with all of the jumping threat and attacking flair of Folau.
“I’d love to take that opportunity if it happens, I’ll definitely be looking for Will to kick the ball to me,” Nawaqanitawase said.
The 19-year-old will be the youngest player on the field in Nelson, facing a star-studded backline including All Blacks David Havili, Braydon Ennor, Jack Goodhue, Richie Mo’unga, and Sevu Reece off the bench.
“It’s crazy to think I’m going to be playing this week,” said Nawaqanitawase, who has never previously been to New Zealand.
“Most of their players are All Blacks, I’ve watched all these players my whole life, to think I’ll be going up against them, I’m still trying to understand it.
“I’d like to think I’m calm already, it’s more so excitement, which I think is good to take out there and use in order to have fun.”
New Waratahs captain Rob Simmons is confident 20-year-old Harrison and Nawaqanitawase will not be overawed by the three-time defending champions, who are unbeaten at home for 31 successive matches dating back to April 2016.
“They’re definitely fearless, I don’t know if you’ve seen in them in the two trials but they can play,” Simmons said.
“I’m very excited, if I was the coach I’d be saying ‘Get them the ball’. They’re the exciting talent coming through, they’re the next generation and our way forward.
“How they handle the big stage, we’ll see on Saturday, and hopefully they can lead us around the park.”
CRUSADERS V WARATAHS
Saturday, 5.05pm (AEST), Trafalgar Park, Nelson
TV: Live on Fox Sports
Referee: Paul Williams
Crusaders: David Havili, Will Jordan, Braydon Ennor, Jack Goodhue, Leicester Faingaanuku, Richie Mo’unga, Mitchell Drummond, Whetukamokamo Douglas, Tom Christie, Tom Sanders, Mitchell Dunshea, Scott Barrett (c), Oliver Jager, Andrew Makalio, George Bower.
Reserves: Codie Taylor, Isi Tu’ungafasi, Michael Alaalatoa, Luke Romano, Cullen Grace, Bryn Hall, Brett Cameron, Sevu Reece.
Waratahs: Kurtley Beale, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Lalakai Foketi, Karmichael Hunt, Alex Newsome, Will Harrison, Jake Gordon, Jed Holloway, Michael Hooper, Lachlan Swinton, Rob Simmons (c) Tom Staniforth, Tetera Faulkner, Robbie Abel, Tom Robertson.
Reserves: Chris Talakai, Damien Fitzpatrick, Angus Bell, Ryan McCauley, Jack Dempsey, Mitch Short, Jack Maddocks.
Originally published as NSW Waratahs appoint Paul Doorne as new CEO with a challenge
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