‘We’ve had a rough trot’: Who is the coach to turn the Waratahs around?

The Waratahs, New South Wales' professional rugby union team in Australia's Super Rugby competition, endured a challenging 2023 season that left both the team and its supporters feeling disheartened. With only three wins from nineteen matches, the team finished last in the Australian conference and failed to make it to the playoffs for the third consecutive year.

Following this disappointing performance, there is growing anticipation among Waratahs fans and rugby enthusiasts about who will take up the challenge of turning the team's fortunes around. Several names have emerged as potential candidates for the coaching position.

One name that has been frequently mentioned is that of Rob Penney. Penney previously coached the Crusaders in New Zealand's Super Rugby competition, where he led them to two championship titles in 2011 and 2015. He has also had stints as an assistant coach with the All Blacks and the British and Irish Lions. Penney's impressive track record in developing successful teams makes him an attractive option for the Waratahs.

Another name in contention is that of Dave Rennie. Rennie currently coaches Scotland's national rugby team but has previously held successful coaching tenures with Waikato in New Zealand's ITM Cup and with the Chiefs in Super Rugby. Rennie's ability to build strong team cultures and develop young talent could be valuable assets for the Waratahs as they seek to rebuild and regain their competitive edge.

A third potential candidate is Michael Cheika. Cheika previously coached the Wallabies, Australia's national rugby team, from 2014 to 2019. While his tenure with the Wallabies ended on a disappointing note with their poor performance in the 2019 Rugby World Cup, he led them to the Rugby Championship title in 2015 and was instrumental in their successful 2015 Rugby World Cup campaign where they reached the semi-finals. Cheika's experience and knowledge of Australian rugby could make him an attractive option for the Waratahs.

It's important to note that as of now, none of these coaches have been officially announced as the new Waratahs coach. The Rugby Union of New South Wales (RUNSW) is currently in the process of conducting a thorough search for the best candidate to lead the team forward.

In conclusion, the Waratahs' disappointing 2023 Super Rugby season has left many wondering who will be the right person to lead the team back to success. Rob Penney, Dave Rennie, and Michael Cheika are among the names being mentioned as potential candidates for the coaching position based on their impressive track records in rugby union. The RUNSW is currently in the process of conducting a thorough search for the best candidate and an announcement is expected in due course.