Look who the Waratahs retained
SUPER RUGBY NEWS: The Waratahs wasted no time in unveiling their coaching panel for 2019 -0 just a week after being knocked out of the 2018 competition.
Daryl Gibson has been given a one-year contract extension as Waratahs coach, after a “remarkable” season that saw him lead the team to the semifinals.
Gibson, who has been in charge of the Sydney club for three seasons, will be assisted by former Wallabies scrumhalf Chris Whitaker as Chris Malone departs after three years.
Whitaker – who played 118 games for New South Wales, including 107 for the Waratahs, 48 internationals for Australia between 1998 and 2005, and also represented the Barbarians and Leinster – is returning to the harbour city after two years as co-head coach of French club Montauban, and stints with Stade Francais and Irish club side Leinster.
“The knowledge and experience you gain overseas is great but it is time for me to come home and contribute to the game and a state that has given so much to me and my family throughout my career,” Whitaker said in a statement.
“Rugby in Australia is improving and I couldn’t pass on the chance to help further develop and grow the potential we have here.”
Hey NSW, one of your favourite sons is back…
See at what capacity: https://t.co/Qz6e8WGE3B#fortheloveofrugby 💙🏉 pic.twitter.com/tXZh5gwHpR— NSW Waratahs (@NSWWaratahs) August 2, 2018
Gibson said he was proud of the team’s achievements over the past year, and that he was “excited about what’s to come”.
He also bid farewell to assistant coach Malone, who has finished up with the club after the losing semifinal clash with the Lions in Johannesburg last weekend.
Gibson paid tribute to Malone’s contribution.
“Nobby 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. We wish him all the very best as he forges a new career that he is very excited about,” Gibson said.
Malone said he valued his time with the NSW Waratahs.
“It’s been fantastic to see the team come together this year and delivering on our potential. We are absolutely gutted we didn’t get through to the final but we can be proud of how we have played the game this year, including setting a new record by being the first NSW Waratahs team to score over 600 points in a season, along the way entertaining our members and fans, and representing our State with pride. One of the highlights for me this year was to hear the NSW chant at our games and it shows that rugby is getting the recognition it deserves.
“I have really enjoyed my time with the team and the organisation, there are a lot of good people here, and I leave knowing that the game in this State is in good hands,” Malone said.
