Dirk Melton conducting wide ranging review into NSW Waratahs after failed Super Rugby season

AFTER one of their worst seasons on record, Waratahs players have been interviewed by an external high performance guru.

The Waratahs had a horror season.

THE man who led the review into St George Illawarra Dragons last year has been tasked with a top-to-bottom assessment of the Waratahs.

Dirk Melton, the former chief executive of Sydney FC and chief operating officer for the Canterbury Bulldogs, has spoken to every player and staff member of the Waratahs and is expected to hand down his findings into their horror 2017 season next week.

Last year Melton did a similar review of the Dragons, which ultimately saw under-pressure coach Paul McGregor survive and club legend Mark Coyne brought in to develop the football program.

Last season the Dragons finished 11th, with 10 wins and 14 losses.

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After taking on the recommendations in Melton’s review, the Dragons started the season on fire, but after a dip in form they are still firmly in the finals race, sitting eighth with nine wins and eight losses after 20 rounds of the NRL.

Former Sydney FC CEO Dirk Melton.

Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson has been under similar pressure to that McGregor faced last year, but NSW assured Gibson he will see out the final year of his contract next season.

Asked if he and his coaching staff would be secure regardless of Melton’s findings, Gibson said: “We’re never quite sure what’s going to come in the review, but certainly we’ll look at everything.

“We’re in a situation where it’s a look and see. Let’s see what the review says, let’s make the recommended changes, and move forward.”

Gibson confirmed that Melton had met with players, staff and board members of the Waratahs and welcomed the feedback from an external source.

The Waratahs had a horror season.

“It’s looking at our systems, our structures, and I’m sure we’re going to glean a great deal of information from that report,” Gibson said.

“We’ve been working with Dirk Melton, who has also been working with Australian Rugby Union, he conducted a similar review with St George last season and obviously St George had excellent benefit from that.

Shute Shield.

“Part of that process is to identify the problems that sometimes you don’t see, and it takes an external set of eyes to really look at things afresh.”

One aspect of the team that will certainly change is its leadership group.

This season skipper Michael Hooper was assisted by Bernard Foley, Nick Phipps, Sekope Kepu, Dean Mumm, Rob Horne, Andrew Kellaway.

With Mumm retiring and Horne leaving for England, the group will inevitably change, but Gibson will also consider is cutting the number of leaders, and ensuring those who are in the group are outspoken and critical when necessary.

“That’s something that will certainly be up for discussion,” he said.

“One thing we are sure of is that we can’t be a team with just one great captain.

“One of our challenges next year is making sure our leadership group is a really strong one, with senior leaders who are willing to step forward, call out mediocrity for what it is, and take an unpopular stance at times.

“I think as we move towards a leadership model that emphasises player input, the more e can support and develop them as leaders.”

Originally published as Dirk Melton conducting wide ranging review into NSW Waratahs after failed Super Rugby season