I’m sure it has not escaped Michael Cheika’s notice that the Waratahs are in trouble and need help. What I’m about to propose may seem strange but it comes from my personal assessment of where the real problem lies.
To be clear, that problem has not been coach Rob Penney.
His apparent track record of success in the past, building successful teams and bringing through talent, suggests that given time and resources the same could be achieved here.
There are some great players in the NSW squad but there’s limited professional experience and a lack of proven leaders on the field to provide stability.
Given that situation, it’s difficult to accept the statement by the Waratahs’ CEO that in five games this season the expectation was that results should miraculously change.
Change starts with identifying the long-term reasons the club has landed where they are and a sustainable rebuild takes time.
Cheika could have a lasting impact on that but maybe the greatest impact would not be as a coach.
The NSW Waratahs AGM is coming up and this presents an opportunity to restructure the voard and therefore the leadership and reputation of NSW rugby.
I’m proposing that Cheika offers himself forward as candidate for chairman.
He is well connected and respected by the NSW clubs. He has coached the Waratahs and knows intimately the strengths and weaknesses of not just the team but the organisation itself. He has clear business experience and any phoenix-like resurrection is going to take sleeves-up, hand-on-the-tiller leadership.
A professional-era rugby leader chairing the board will do more to instantly reset the perceived rugby culture and reputation at the Waratahs than having another ‘professional director’ take the role.
It also seems clear that rapid change in culture and reputation will decide how long it takes for the Tahs to turn themselves around on the field.
Achieving significant board-level change, such that it is led into the next phase by a rugby leader seen as intimately familiar with the needs of the modern, professional game will do more to attract coaching and player talent than anything else I can think of that could be achieved in the next two months.
Cheika won a title with the Waratahs. Would there be any better legacy than leading the restructure that takes the club back to their former glory as a consistent finals contender and homegrown-talent-generating machine.
Am I crazy or could this work?
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Whilst i agree that chairing may not make best use of his skills, he would definitely be a major asset in some executive role
Armadillo
Roar Rookie
Getting him ‘on board’ on vs. Chairing the NSW Rugby Board? ‘On board’ and involved in the organisation at some advisory level makes complete sense, the second role requires the experience, political skills a d ability to drive a broken organisation (finances, results, coaches, supporters) back to health.
Double Agent
Guest
I can feel myself becoming filled with hate too.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
I wholeheartedly agree with getting Cheika on board. People have largely forgotten what a toxic mess he inherited when he was appointed and managed to turn everything around to win the team’s first title. His detractors point to his failings as a Wallaby coach.. that is somewhat debatable also.. he did get them into the RWC final in his first year and lost the final to an almost unbeatable AB’s side. Sure the politics got the better of him toward the end of his tenure but I think he overachieved with the Tahs and could do so again if given an executive role. Stating that he is too passionate is an insane argument.. isn’t the total lack of passion the main failing of the suits currently running the joint now??
ScottD
Roar Guru
yeah, he can do all that as CEO , mid you he will charge $1m for that so short term net financial gain = nil, but long term = :thumbup:
JC
Roar Rookie
I can’t see Cheika taking a coaching role without a better player roster but he might be interested in a consulting role.
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
I hear Eddie Jones will be looking for a gig soon.
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
At least half are on the books of the reds and the Brumbies- can’t speak for the ponies but QLD produce the best and for once they want to stay up north as we are winning. Ponies have a good history and culture and will retain talent. Tahs have only ever had a pocket book and we see where that has gotten them.
Kane
Roar Guru
Cheika does have a excellent track record as head coach of a club team. I think there is just something about having that team for 30 weeks a year and being able to control all facets of that team is best suited for his coaching, where as having the wallabies for 4-6 weeks here and there is different. I for one would like to see him back in charge of the Waratahs. It would be a much greater challenge this time round as the cattle isn't there.
Backrower
Guest
How about you stick to the issue George. The franchise/club is struggling and your apparent solution, reading between the lines, is quotas. Of all the players in the last 10 years, very few were given as many opportunities as Kurtley Beale.
GentleGeorge
Guest
The Waratahs lack indigenous and Pacific Islanders in their roster. They had the opportunity to bring Beale through in a leadership role but instead he was howled out by a noisy and somewhat sinister minority.
freddieeffer
Roar Rookie
Yeh.... "What's that light I see coming" Oh, it's a train......" True, there were signs there, but there's just not the onfield nous. Even if they had Karmichael Hunt this year, I reckon he would have made a massive difference onfield. It is complete negligence for the organisation to have put themselves in this situation in the first place. Roster mismanagement is one of their biggest sins, and that has been going on year after year now. The hubris they came out with on Monday justifying Penney's firing was some of the worst I've ever come across. From a governance point of view, the incompetence, malaise and delusion that has been, and continues to this day with NSWRU is mind-bogglingly sub-standard. I still can't get my head around how their governance gerrymander has continued with no-one in rugby prepared to rock the boat; not even rugby journalists have had the balls to hold up the mirror. For change to happen, something big is going to have to take place to dismantle their gerrymandered ivory tower. Don't know what that is, or when; but its going to take an earthquake to bring them down.
Jockstar
Guest
Cheika will be the last super rugby winner in my life time and probably World Cup finalist. I’m 50. He gets things done.
Richie
Roar Rookie
The question is how many of the board members TRULY love the Waratahs club? Maybe you have something as Cheika would truly love NSW.
JC
Roar Rookie
It's an interesting idea, LED. It had crossed my mind that Cheika might be a candidate for the director of rugby role, if NSW created that position. The issue is that he is just such a dominant figure that everything tends to be about him rather than the team -- I think that could be a negative in any position in NSWRU where everybody needs to be working together collaboratively.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Bang on the money Fred. Cannot believe how inept this board has been. Just extending the pain. Last Saturday despite the loss I could see the light at the end of the tunnel. On Monday we found out it was a train coming through to run us over.
Obes
Guest
Well we hate NSW. We hate Cheika even more, so if he gets involved with his beloved tahs the hate is ramped up 100 fold when we meet. As you are obviously not a Queenslander you may not understand the 140 years of our hatred anything NSW.
Zenn
Roar Rookie
Great article LED but I can't see MC accepting the position.
Double Agent
Guest
Pretty sure the article suggests Cheika should head up NSW rugby. What's Qld got to do with it?
Digs
Guest
On what planet wouldn't the Waratahs want Michael Cheka as coach? If he's up for it they should grab him.