Two decades ago Nathan Grey used to walk through the tunnel at the Sydney Football Stadium screaming ‘Our House’. Now, Darren Coleman has taken the mantra to a new level ahead of their return to Allianz Stadium on February 24 against the Brumbies by getting the entire squad to sleep on the field.
“It was about appreciating our new home, become familiar and build a relationship with, what hopefully, will become a really happy hunting ground for us,” Coleman told The Roar.
But it was not until Tuesday morning when Coleman arrived at Allianz Stadium with his sleeping bag that the reality set on the playing group that the coach was serious.
“I think the boys weren’t sure if I was taking the piss or not, but when I turned up with my sleeping bag yesterday morning I think they figured it was real,” he said.
“But it wasn’t just a sleepover. Some might say it’s a gimmick, but I felt the whole thing throughout the day was important.”
The Waratahs slept on Allianz Stadium ahead of their return to the venue on February 24. Photo: Instagram
After four years of playing away from home, Coleman, whose ability to bring a team together is well-documented, believed it was essential for his squad to feel comfortable in their new setting.
While some like Michael Hooper and Jake Gordon had played regularly at the old Sydney Football Stadium, others like Mark Nawaqanitwase have barely stepped foot through the famous ground.
Indeed, the Wallabies rookie, who burst onto the world stage last November, hadn’t been inside the new stadium.
And for some who played against the Springboks last September, their return to Allianz Stadium hardly went to script.
But Coleman, who quickly went from walking down the streets with a beer in-hand to working with the Waratahs as a skills coach when the stadium was regularly filled two decades ago, wants to ensure the current crop of players feels the same attachment to the ground to those of yesteryear.
As senior player Michael Hooper said in a video: “A home isn’t just a building. It’s the people and the memories that make it home. Legends in Sky blue, [David] Campese, [Matt] Burke, [Chris] Whitaker, [Phil] Waugh, [Lote] Tuqiri, this was their home and it’s finally ours again.”
Darren Coleman had the entire Waratahs squad sleep on Allianz Stadium ahead of their return to the venue on February 24. Photo: Jenny Evans/Getty Images
The Waratahs squad spent the entire day on Tuesday checking out their new home.
From training to watching a documentary about the making of the Sydney Football Stadium to finding out where partners and family will be sitting, the day was about making the unfamiliar familiar.
The evening’s formalities finished late on Tuesday night as Grey addressed the squad about what it meant to be a Waratah, before the squad hit the pillow at around midnight.
“Then we went on the field and Nathan Grey – and I don’t think there was a more passionate Waratah, there’s great scenes of him walking down the tunnel screaming ‘Our House’ and going through that – spoke to the team about what it meant to him to play there and then we slept on it,” Coleman said.
While some managed to stick it out throughout the night like Will Harrison, Harry Wilson and Harry Johnson-Holmes, others “ran for the hills” when the rain came at 2am and left Izaia Perese struggling with his blanket.
“Some of the weak grabbed their sleeping attire and went inside to the changerooms and a few toughed it out,” Coleman quipped.
“There was a vast range from Taj Mahal style swags to just blokes with a blanket.”
Malo
Guest
Yeah I’ll be going there to watch the Roosters and if there is the off chance Asydney gets a test as Melbourne and Perth seems to be RA heartlands now.
Wizz
Roar Rookie
Jeff Miller also but yes agreed.Openside but played like 7
Phil
Roar Rookie
For sure he promotes it in his own way and has done a good job pulling fans in. Not promising the world just asking them to give his team a chance. Such a contrast between him and Eddie.
cs
Roar Guru
Also showing he's no slouch when it comes to grabbing some cheesy rugby publicity. Does anyone think Eddie will do the whole five years?
Big A
Roar Rookie
i remember Wilson well - an out and out champion, but he doesn't stand out to me as being above Poidevin - Poidevin bore the brunt of that All Black rucking thing in the late 70's and never took a backward step - also the Wallaby pack in those days was not as strong as some of its successors - George Smith, Wilson and Poey all played with much stronger Wallaby packs - didnt have to face the adversaty that Poido faced - that's why Poido stands at the pantheon imo. Also cant agree that George Smith was better than McCaw - i mean what would you expect to hear from McCaw - that he was better than Smith - champions don't need to walk the talk
Faithful
Roar Rookie
George Smith was 1, 2, 3 if you ask me. Easily the best 7 bar none, even McCaw (McCaw said so himself!).
Double Agent
Guest
"You should connect with the turf and own it.' Only a billionaire can afford a square metre of turf in Moore Park!! :shocked:
tsuru
Roar Rookie
Yes Rocco, I was going to add Harrison Goddard, but he’s a 9 like Teddy W so those 2 aren’t going to be on the field together.
Rocco
Roar Rookie
And Harry Hoopert and Wilson Blyth.
Rocco
Roar Rookie
Harry Harrison ?
Cain
Roar Rookie
George Smith number one for me. Wilson Poey equal.Poido was very good too, comes in at 4th.
Tony
Roar Guru
They could have played murder in the dark and told ghost stories around the fire
Adsa
Roar Rookie
They might of had a pillow fight too.
Pickett
Roar Rookie
And that's OK, nobody's perfect.
Brett Allen
Roar Rookie
Don’t confuse my statement for anything remotely suggesting support for said Chooks, lol
Pickett
Roar Rookie
Chook, The 'Tahs' are just guests of the Chookpen. It's the home of the Chooks.
Pickett
Roar Rookie
100%. This is the house of The Roosters. The Eastern Suburbs District Rugby League Football Club T/A The Sydney Roosters. NSW Waratahs (should be called the Blues) are just guests. So behave yourselves.
tsuru
Roar Rookie
I have posted this before, but I’ll do it again. I’m waiting for the day when Harry Wilson, Teddy Wilson, Will Harris & Will Harrison of the Tahs and Harry Wilson of the Reds are all on the field at the same time. I want to hear how the commentators handle it.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
Perhaps a fortnight in the bush at Canungra the Jungle Training Centre would be more valuable . They would learn what wet means and how your clobber dries out when you keep wearing it after the rain stops .
Big A
Roar Rookie
Poido............