Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson agrees to contract extension

DARYL Gibson has agreed to remain in charge of the Waratahs for another two years after the team’s unexpected run to the Super Rugby semi-finals convinced him they can win the title.

Daryl Gibson has agreed to a two-year contract extension with the Waratahs.

NSW coach Daryl Gibson has agreed to remain in charge of the Waratahs for another two years after the team’s unexpected run to the Super Rugby semi-finals convinced him they have now what it takes to win the title.

They didn’t go all the way this time, bowing out to the Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday, but after finishing 16th last season, they are on a roll and Gibson wants to stick around to finish the job.

“I’ve agreed to stay on, which is a good thing,” he said after the team touched down back in Sydney on Monday.

“I see a lot of potential in our squad and we want to fully maximise what we can do as a team.”

Daryl Gibson has agreed to a two-year contract extension with the Waratahs.

The former All Black had only wanted to re-sign for another 12 months but NSW Rugby officials asked him to stay on longer and he didn’t need much convincing after he team’s huge improvement this year.

“At the moment we’re looking at a two year deal,” he said. “I still haven’t put pen to paper but I’m certainly happy with the direction the negotiations are going.

“For the club they were after a two year deal. My own personal view is that I wanted one but I’m happy to stay and really start building something special at NSW.”

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There could be even more good news coming up for the Waratahs with Gibson expecting star fullback Israel Folau to stick with NSW after being linked with a move north to Queensland.

“A lot of those negotiations are with Rugby Australia but certainly every indication is that Israel’s very happy here,” Gibson said.

Gibson bounded through the arrivals hall at Sydney Airport like a man on a mission and said he was already planning for next year.

Taqele Naiyaravoro, Irae Simone, Andrew Kellaway and Paddy Ryan are all leaving the club and so he is scouting for new players to fill the holes.

Gibson is confident of holding onto star fullback Israel Folau. Picture: Getty

“This is the part of the year when we reflect on our squad and see how we can better in terms of upgrading and trying to recruit players,” Gibson said.

“We’ve got some spaces to fill and now’s the opportunity to really focus on that because when you’re in the finals you tend to focus on other things.”

While still deflated at missing out on the final, the Waratahs’ jet-lagged players will at least get a short break after their gruelling round-trip to South Africa while the Lions face the daunting prospect of having to travel to New Zealand to play the Crusaders.

History shows that the team that travels almost always loses the final so the Lions have decided to remain at home for a few extra days in the hope they can trick their bodies into delaying the inevitable fatigue until after the match.

Waratahs captain Bernard Foley said SANZAAR should consider looking at better ways to nullify the effects of long-distance travel, possibly by adopting the same format used for the NFL’s Super Bowl whereby a week’s break is added between the semi-finals and the final.

“There’s a long record of showing the home team normally winning,” Foley said.

“However they adjust the format or make it conference style or whatever the administration has to do that to try and make it a bit less taxing on the players.”

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Originally published as Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson agrees to contract extension