Coleman flattered by Penney’s support but won’t begrudge NSW Rugby for tough call

Waratahs coach Darren Coleman says he has no issues with the NSW Rugby board if they decide not to extend his contract beyond this season and thanked his predecessor Rob Penney for coming to his defence ahead of a fascinating match-up this weekend.

Coleman, who joined the Waratahs in 2022 on a three-year deal, has been told that a call will be made on his future early this season.

With a tough run of matches to begin the year - including three against Kiwi sides in the next three weeks - Coleman’s fate could be sealed before the team gets into its groove.

Penney, who was sacked five games into the 2021 season, spoke passionately this week about giving Coleman time to prove himself in the final year of his deal.

“I’ve heard that Darren Coleman had a bit of an ultimatum put to him. I just don’t get that,” Penney told this masthead. “No one flourishes under that sort of pressure. It’s just not good. Darren Coleman doesn’t deserve that.”

Ahead of the Waratahs’ trip to Melbourne for their Super Round clash with Penney’s Crusaders side, Coleman said he was flattered by the support but wouldn’t begrudge NSW officials for making a tough call.

Waratahs head coach Darren Coleman (centre) with leaders Dave Porecki (left) and Jake Gordon (right).Credit: Julius Dimataga

“I appreciate Rob’s support … but I don’t feel I’m in any sort of predicament from my board,” Coleman said. “It’s football. There has to be a time frame. My contract is up. They’ve been really open and supportive of me. Everyone is really focused on trying to win.

“I’ll definitely catch him at the game and catch him for a beer after. He’s a good rugby man. I’ve got no gripes or issues on that front. If I get this team winning and doing well, you keep your job. If you don’t, you don’t. It’s part of the game to be honest.”

Initially, Coleman was told he’d know his fate by round four. He says there is a degree of flexibility around that timeline but the preference is for clarity sooner than later.

“I have full confidence that the board will make the right decision for the place,” Coleman said. “I make decisions on players’ futures. The board make decisions on coaches’ futures. That’s how it works. If we don’t perform or we are significantly underperforming then yeah, 100 per cent you have to question the coach.”

Two trial losses and a 40-22 defeat to the Queensland Reds in round one has only heaped further pressure on the Waratahs.

There was, however, good news out of Daceyville on Friday, with Wallabies winger Mark Nawaqanitawase cleared to play after concerns on Tuesday that he’d done damage to his hamstring.

“I think he just wanted to get out of Tuesday training,” Coleman joked. “He’s come good. ‘Marky’ is a big-game player and a game-changer so we’re going to need to score tries and he’s definitely good at that.

“We’re under no illusions about the enormity of the challenge. Two years ago, we got that upset [win] against them [Crusaders]. We’re going down full of energy.”

Rob Penney was sacked as Waratahs coach in 2021. Credit: Louie Douvis

Meanwhile, Super Rugby Pacific organisers have announced changes to protocols around new smart mouth guards that are being trialled in a bid to identify concussions earlier.

The new technology is designed to pick up spikes when a certain threshold from an impact to the head is reached. Players then go for head injury assessments.

Over the opening round of Super Rugby, a number of players were surprised to be pulled from the field, including Chiefs pair Quinten Strange and Anton Lienert-Brown.

Officials have admitted there were slight issues with picking up signals, some of which were delayed. Eight alerts were recorded across the entire weekend.

“Players will continue to wear the iMGs this weekend but will not be required to immediately leave the field for an HIA when their mouthguard triggers an alert to pitch-side doctors,” read a competition statement.

“Instead, players will be checked by an on-field doctor after a trigger alert has been received. If the doctor has any concerns the player will then leave the field for an HIA. If the player passes an on-field check, they will still be subject to a full HIA, either at half-time or full-time.”

Coleman said common sense had prevailed.

“It’s not a perfect science yet, so I think until they get more accurate I think it’s good they have made some adjustments,” Coleman said. “If there is any criticism it would probably be the speed of the rollout. With the amount of technology that is involved, there is going to be teething problems.”

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