Waratahs poised to wrestle back the rule from NRL clubs and become king of their state

THE man who orchestrated Queensland rugby’s stunning off-field turnaround has tipped NSW Waratahs to become Australia’s most successful franchise.

The Waratahs celebrate victory after the Waratahs v Crusaders Super Rugby Final at ANZ Stadium, Sydney. Pic Brett Costello

THE man who orchestrated Queensland rugby’s stunning off-field turnaround from basket case to Australia’s most successful franchise has tipped NSW Waratahs to do the same.

Putting aside a fierce state rivalry, Reds chief executive Jim Carmichael says NSW rugby can emulate Queensland’s rise to become the dominant football team in its state when ranking average attendances and memberships.

Just four years ago, the Waratahs had only 10,851 members and were the laughing stock of Australian rugby, with the infamous “fan forum” that year highlighting deep ill-feeling among NSW fans over the playing style of the team.

Michael Hooper is mobbed by Waratahs fans.

Since the introduction of coach Michael Cheika in 2013 and his attacking mantra being on show, as well as a deliberate attempt to reconnect with disgruntled fans — Cheika stunned former members by ringing them directly and asking them to reconsider — NSW have made huge ground in the battle for sporting memberships.

The Waratahs have nearly doubled their members from four years ago and by the end of this season hope to have secured an ambitious 30,000 paid-up supporters.

New Waratahs chief executive Greg Harris said in his first week in charge that his organisation wanted to emulate Queensland’s success — the Reds are aiming for a 65,000 members by the end of this year — and Carmichael believes it can be done under the new boss despite the Waratahs operating in one of the toughest sporting market in the worlds.

Waratahs players celebrate their finals win.

“As administrators, we need to maximise on opportunities when they are given to us. “You have actually got to have a vision and a plan before you get that on-field success, so you’re building a structure to take advantage of those moments that happen to give you opportunity,” Carmichael said.

“What the NSW board have identified, in my mind, is a man (Harris) who has brought a depth of experience to help get that through.”

Carmichael engineered an astonishing rise for the Reds, who were perennial underachievers anchored near the bottom of the Super Rugby table until coach Ewen McKenzie super-charged the side with an exciting style of rugby that brought back the crowds and delivered their maiden premiership in 2011 — the same year as NSW’s low ebb.

Ironically, the teams appear to have traded places.

NSW won their maiden premiership last year and are seeing a resurgence in crowds, while the Reds struggle under coach Richard Graham and their crowd figures are dropping.

However, Carmichael explains that it takes more than one or two factors to determine how well an organisation is travelling.

“Where our game sits, we have seen genuine acknowledgment of how certain things have to happen to get that success,” Carmichael said.

“It’s not just about the gate and memberships, it is about how you’re going to prosper at the grassroots.

“NSW are very focused on ensuring that their prosperity ends up benefiting the game.

“They have got a CEO who is very understanding of this space.

“The real benefit of having high memberships is that you get detailed insight and develop relationships with the people you want to be dealing with.”

SEASON MEMBERS

2011 10,851

2013 18,517

2012 13,208

2014 19,828

Originally published as Waratahs poised to wrestle back the rule from NRL clubs and become king of their state