The NSW have announced that former All Black and current assistant coach Daryl Gibson will take over from Michael Cheika as head coach from 2016 on a three-year deal.
Current coach Michael Cheika took over as Wallabies coach in October last year, making an agreement with the ARU that he would remain as Waratahs coach for the 2015 Super Rugby season
Gibson has been an assistant coach at the NSW Waratahs since the end of 2012.
Previously, he held coaching positions and at the Glasgow Warriors and the Crusaders.
Gibson said he was looking forward to building on the foundation Michael Cheika has built.
“I’m very proud to be appointed to this role, it has been a privilege to coach under Michael and help him to create the club culture and identity over the past few seasons,” Gibson said.
“The selection process for this role has been extremely rigorous, and I’m really looking forward to working with Greg [Harris] to shore up our player roster and plan for the next three years.
“I’m very aware of the tasks we have in front of us to achieve success this season; so we will be sharing the focus on both current and future challenges.”
Waratahs Rugby CEO Greg Harris said Gibson transitioning to head coach would mean a smooth changeover for the franchise.
“Daryl has been an integral part of the creation of a culture which the club is now identified by, and his appointment will ensure that the players can build on the positive foundation which has been established by Michael Cheika,” Harris said.
“Whilst this is Daryl’s first head coaching appointment he has played under, and coached with, several highly credentialed coaches including Wayne Smith, Steve Hansen, Todd Blackadder, and Robbie Deans.
“He brings an incredible wealth of football knowledge and experience to the position, and is very much a values and culture driven coach – which is what the selection panel was also very impressed with.”
More to follow…
ben
Guest
Yep.....hammett was assistant at the crusaders then took the canes to 3 years of pain. Shoulda cut his teeth in the npc first....i guess thats what sams saying.
Brawlsinmauls
Guest
diryl gebsun!
Lano
Guest
RG and JK are "experienced candidates" but are on the skids!
Mike
Guest
I believe its the scrum and the rolling maul.
riddler
Guest
good assistants have to become head coaches somehow.. someone has to bite the bullett.. think it is a good call by the tahs.. sad to see the argie go if if it is true.. was hoping that he would be the wallabies new scrum coach..
Sam Taulelei
Roar Guru
I'm not completely sold on the idea of promoting assistant coaches with little experience or success as a head coach to the job. What has Gibson achieved? Where has he coached? I have no axe to grind with Gibson himself, but across all Sanzar countries we're seeing plum Super coaching roles given to inexperienced candidates. What does that mean for those coaches who aren't former internationals?
jeznez
Roar Guru
That is great for him and the new team. Guess we are definitely on he lookout then.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Would have thought he'd be contributing to the breakdown work as well - unless he was specifically coaching the scrum. Admittedly it is the scrum where we are seeing the big improvement but it was coming from such a low base last year that I'm keen to see where it can get to.
pjm
Roar Rookie
He's off to coach the new Argentine SR team.
pjm
Roar Rookie
Topo is from a different era where scrums were completely different. Ledesma has proven his worth, not sure why'd you want another guy when the current one is working.
cookie
Roar Guru
Aye Aye i think the decision to appoint Gibson is a good one.. but lets wait and see what happens when he is in control before everyone assumes it's guaranteed success. Seems absurd that the wallabies don't have a forwards coach yet.. unless there is some kind of agreement to keep Foley under wraps until after the super rugby.. Can't say i'd think appointing Foley would be a bright move... he's worked with most of the squad in the past and didn't get the results at the Tah's No harm in getting Ledesma on board as scrummaging coach.. he's done more in months at the tahs than blades did in years at the wallabies.
Ajax
Guest
Great move, Im a Reds fan but this has to be good for Australian rugby.
Comrade Bear
Roar Rookie
That is two great coaching decisions / selections in a row - nice one Moore Park.
pjm
Roar Rookie
When you other teams having coaches like Graham and Foley then people have no problem where someone is from, as long as they're competent.
jameswm
Guest
jez what does he work on other than the scrum? He has already done a lot for the scrummaging of Skelton and Ryan.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Would be great to see Ledesma continue. Agree that I like what I am seeing there.
Johnno
Guest
The pigs are doing the job under the Argie. Pity the Tahs didn't give Topo a go, he would of done wonders with this pack, but Cheika has ignored Topo. Too brings a lot of relevant experience having been a good scrum back in the day.
Mike
Guest
I don't know if he is available long term, but Ledesma already seems to have worked wonders with the pigs. They speak very highly of him.
Johnno
Guest
Peter Fitzsimons will be all over the foreigner stuff like a rash, as soon the foreigner stuff comes up.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Can't stand Growden's rumour mongering - will just wait for the announcement. Will be a big ask for the guy to take his first head coaching role at the Tahs with all the scrutiny that will bring but he seems to have been a big part of the revival of the team and I'm keen to see him build on the current structures.