Favourite son Chris Whitaker to rejoin Waratahs as Daryl Gibson signs one-year contract extension

DARYL Gibson has agreed to an initial one-year extension after steering the Waratahs to the Super Rugby semi-finals, with the head coach leading a staff reshuffle that includes club legend Chris Whitaker.

Chris Whitaker played over 100 games for the Waratahs. Picture: Craig Wilson

ONE of the Waratahs’ favourite sons is coming home with confirmation that World Cup winner Chris Whitaker has signed on as an assistant coach for the next two seasons.

As first revealed by The Daily Telegraph in May, the former NSW skipper and test halfback has given up his coaching job in France to replace Chris Malone as the Waratahs’ backs coach in 2019.

‘Whits’ will join head coach Daryl Gibson, who has agreed to an initial one-year extension after steering the Waratahs to the Super Rugby semi-finals, and forwards coach Simon Cron, who was already contracted for 2019.

Chris Whitaker played over 100 games for the Waratahs. Picture: Craig Wilson

“It is time for me to come home,” said Whitaker, who has been coaching in France for the last eight years and recently quit as co-coach of second division club Montauban.

“Rugby in Australia is improving and I couldn’t pass on the chance to help further develop and grow the potential we have here.”

The popular Whitaker’s return to the NSW fold is another big boost for the Waratahs as they look to build on the momentum they started this year by winning the Australian conference and reaching the semis.

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Whitaker played 107 matches for the Waratahs between 1997 and 2006 and captained the team to their first Super Rugby final in 2005.

He also made 48 appearances for the Wallabies, mostly off the bench as George Gregan’s backup, but was on the field for the final whistle when Australia beat France in the 1999 World Cup final at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

Daryl Gibson has officially re-signed with the Waratahs. Picture: Getty

Gibson paid tribute to Malone, who was with the Waratahs for three years., and is upbeat about the Waratahs’ prospects next year after coming so close this season.

“Nobby (Malone) has been an integral part of our team and the work that he has done with our backs and overall contribution to the success of the team has been immense,” Gibson said.

“The job is not done yet but we are excited about what’s to come.”

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