After an exhaustive search, NSW Waratahs finally settle on new coach

It’s been a long and drawn-out process after more than 50 candidates applied for the job but the Waratahs have finally decided on a new head coach to replace Daryl Gibson.

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The Waratahs have finally settled on a new head coach, with New Zealand’s Rob Penney given the job after more than 50 candidates applied for the role.

NSW Rugby are yet to formally confirm the appointment but The Daily Telegraph understands that Penney has signed a three year deal and a formal announcement will be made within days, possibly in Japan where he has been coaching in the top club league.

It’s understood that the 55-year-old Kiwi is still finalising exactly when he will take up his new role, but it is expected he will start in mid November, just a few weeks before the Waratahs players involved in the National Rugby Championship are due to start pre-season training.

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Rob Penney will take over as NSW Waratahs coach. Picture: Brian Lawless

The Waratahs who are currently playing for Australia at the World Cup won’t return to training until early next year, leaving Penney precious little time to work with them before the start of the 2020 Super Rugby season.

“Announcing a head coach allows everything else to jump into gear so we can finalise the staffing and playing list for 2020 and give everyone else some clarity and direction going forward,” NSW Rugby general manager of rugby Tim Rapp said.

“It has been a drawn out process but the biggest thing we wanted to get right between ourselves, the business and the performance committee is that the process was done properly rather than rushing it so we used every opportunity to make sure that everyone out there who was potentially willing to give it a go was aware.”

Penney will replace outgoing coach Daryl Gibson. Picture: Mark Metcalfe

When Penney does take over the reins, he will be offered the chance to select both a new head of athletics performance and a new assistant coach to replace Simon Cron, who announced he was leaving earlier this year.

Chris Whitaker remains as attack coach with Steve Tandy still in charge of the team’s defence.

A former New Zealand Under 20s coach who is highly regarded for his work in developing players, Penney had emerged as one of the frontrunners to replace Daryl Gibson, who quit with a year to run on his contract, because of the high volume of promising up and comers in the NSW system.

Having lost several senior players to overseas clubs, the Waratahs are embarking on a new rebuilding phase so wanted someone who can mentor the brightest young talent.

“The biggest thing we were looking for from a performance point of view was some definite winning success in senior level competitions as well as the ability to be engaged and involved and in a development pathway,” Rapp said.

“It’s really important that a head coach coming into our environment now, when we’ve got such a wealth of young players and coaching staff coming through, has got the experience and real interest to bring these elite young players through.”

Originally published as After an exhaustive search, NSW Waratahs finally settle on new coach