Darren Coleman’s acceptance of the poisoned chalice which is the NSW Waratahs has been met with resounding applause and fanfare.
He is seen by many as the Messiah of NSW Rugby, having gained experience across a 20-year coaching career, most notably rapidly resurrecting the fortunes of Warringah and Gordon in the Shute Shield.
He brings overseas coaching experience from the LA Giltinis, and the ability to rapidly transform a group of players to achieve immediate results. This can be seen in his success as the Central Coast Rays coach in the 2007 ARC competition (they won), and with Warringah and Gordon in the Shute Shield. In each role he’s been able to gather devout followers who trust in him and his vision for the future. For further proof of this, see the amount of Aussies currently playing at the LA Giltinis.
Sounds pretty Messianic to me.
The Challenge Ahead
However, I am not convinced that his appointment alone will cure the ailments of NSW Rugby, even if he does experience short-term success (which I hope he does).
If we cast our eyes back to the departure of Rob Penney, most rugby fans throughout Australia recognised that Penney was not solely to blame for the failures of the Tahs. Yes, his record was abysmal in 2021, but how much of that was he responsible for? There were actually some positive signs emerging from their 2020 campaign.
Penney inherited his player roster from the less than successful Darryl Gibson. In his first year as coach Australia was hit by a plague of biblical proportions, shutting down the competition and slashing player wages for the sustainability of the game.
Darren Coleman has been appointed as Waratahs coach (Rugby Australia)
Adding to the pain, the Waratahs reportedly spent $1 million under the $5.5 million salary cap, cut their operating staff down to the bone, and removed all community development officers throughout NSW (though this has been recently denied by CEO Paul Doorn). Penney and Rapp first didn’t know how much money they had to spend on players in 2021, and then had to watch as key players such as Michael Hooper, Ned Hannigan, and Rob Simmons all left for various reasons. Supposedly Penney wasn’t behind the decision to not offer other players like Jed Holloway and Karmichael Hunt new contracts either.
Issues in Australian Rugby
Now, back to Darren Coleman. If Coleman is given the financial resources and support to recruit quality players, perhaps some of the major issues of the Penney era can be addressed in terms of player recruitment and retention.
However, the appointment of a new coach doesn’t fix the systemic issues that plague NSW Rugby, and, in a broader sense, Australian rugby as a whole. Geoff Parkes wrote an excellent article about this issue .
Will a new coach change the fact that approximately 70 percent of rugby’s wealth is situated in Europe?
Will his appointment convince mid-tier players who are unlikely to make the Wallabies squad, but are incredibly valuable for Super Rugby teams, that it’s better to stay in Australia rather than be paid 2-3 times more overseas?
Will his appointment convince up-and-coming junior players not to take paid contracts at League or AFL clubs and instead toil through Shute Shield or various academics in the hope of one day being selected?
Darren Coleman – A New Hope?
Yes, Coleman’s appointment may address the disconnect between the Waratahs and the Shute Shield clubs. He may convert some rusted-on Shute Shield fans to come and watch the Waratahs, or according to some reports come and watch him!
He may also help the Tahs hold on to players who go on to enjoy successful careers elsewhere. Names such as Mack Mason, Will Miller, Will Skelton, Cameron Orr, Angus Ta’avao, Michael Wells, and Michael Ala’alatoa spring to mind.
There are all possibilities. But if you’re expecting Darren Coleman to heal the illnesses which are plaguing NSW and Australian rugby, you’ll be sorely mistaken. The issues are broader than the remit of the one Super Rugby coach.
He’s not the Messiah, he’s just bloody good.
Muglair
Roar Rookie
We have a 19th century governance structure in NSW and it is not accountable to anyone except the bank manager. Players are either part of the problem, part of the solution or yet to make up their mind. His challenge is to convince the waverers and assist the problems to find another club.
Blinky Bill
Roar Rookie
I hope you’re right mate, I really do. My greatest concern is in those he is accountable to, and I’m not talking about the fans. Also hope that his appointment will make some of the talent at the Tahs think twice about jumping ship.
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
Me too, Ando. They've seen Queensland's success after Thorn's lean early years and their failures from chopping and changing, but that's no guarantee that they'll learn.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Worms are people too Crow. It’s science. You know it makes sense. Izzy flies backwards too, (not that there’s anything wrong with that).
Ando
Roar Rookie
May be because his experience had largely been at a semi-professional level before the LA Giltinis. That may have been the final stepping stone needed to demonstrate his ability at a wholly professional level.
Ando
Roar Rookie
Yep, fair enough on all fronts. I just hope he is given the time.
Ando
Roar Rookie
Really? I'm super interested to see why you think Rennie is a dud coach.
Ando
Roar Rookie
Cheers JD. I think it's a good comparison to make, with Thorn. I believe DC has more runs on the board than Thorn in terms of where they're starting at Super level, but I'm less confident in the willingness of the Board to actually keep him on.
RahRah
Roar Rookie
:laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
The NSW board don’t give anyone time except themselves! Excellent article, I wouldn’t know him from Adam Coleman, but the bloke sounds like he could bring in a good culture and build from there with a group of talented young players, like Thorn in Queensland.
Dave
Guest
To be fair the women’s team has gone increasing backwards under his tenure. Some of his selections are very questionable too
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
Great article! Coleman what he did at Gordon was nothing short of amazing! As a force fan, we need the Tahs being the team to beat! Go well Darren! Hope you can handle the bunch of w#_%&@ on the board.
Guest
Guest
Are you sure?
Ray L
Roar Rookie
While I applaud Darren Coleman's appointment as Waratah's coach, I wouldn't have been disappointed if John Manenti got the job. He has been equally successful at club level, winning 3 Shute Shield premierships with Eastwood and is the current Aus Women's 7s coach, having been assistant coach to Tim Walsh when they won the Gold Medal at the 2016 Olympics. He was also assistant coach to Brian Billy Melrose at the Western Sydney Rams in the ARC when they reached the semi-final. He is still Director of Rugby at Eastwood and is recognised for his people management and recruitment skills. It must have been a hair's breadth between them.
Phantom
Roar Rookie
If he is that good why has he not been appointed much earlier.
jeznez
Roar Guru
I think we've been pretty patient and realistic. Tahs fans have had to put up with absolutely world worst woeful administration. Just look at a guy like Macqueen had an undefeated season as Waratahs coach and got moved on. As CM discussed at the top of the comments Chris Hickey (still has the best win percentage of any Tahs coach in the professional era) got knifed by the Uni brigade. We'll see how Coleman goes, if he's not up to it, then he isn't up to it. I'm happy he's getting a shot - he's as good as we have from our club systems and I'm keen to see how he does.
Ando Im hesitant on claiming to much around his "turning clubs around" claims. Turning an amature club around whilst being a likable popular guy in a community is a lot easier than turning an SR franchise around as its way more difficult to recruit etc. Time will tell.
Muglair
Roar Rookie
Geoff's article is also worthwhile reading for a different perspective on a lot of the hot issues of today. As Coleman pointed out somewhere he has a long coaching record with teams that required building and rebuilding. There is a process to be followed and he has had success with it before and will know when he has to take a detour or when he just has to smash through. The Waratahs have some brilliant young players to build a future on. They need some good performers in key roles like lock and tighthead prop. A sprinkle of experienced players are required in various positions. The difference between outperforming expectations and failing is the story he builds around the transformation and his ability to take the playing group with him. I am predicting that he will outperform expectations.
The new laws will suit him i think JC. He works hard and has a good motor and has been a proven jackel in the past.
The Crow Flies Backwards
Roar Rookie
Don’t mention religion on here, Mr Leg, you’ll only reopen that massive can of worms with I.Folau on the label