Highlander35
Andrew Slack (58)
Sam Thomson... there's a name who never really kicked on
Waratahs 2024
- Thread starter RugbyReg
- Start date
The Ghost of Raelene
Andrew Slack (58)
Guess DC knew him from the Rats when he coached them.
Real journeyman now.
Real journeyman now.
Hawko
Tony Shaw (54)
The list of people out with injury before the first trial is totally depressing. I know some of them are still coming back from injuries last year, but pre-season must have been absolutely brutal! Tom Ross, Archer Holz, Will Harrison, Ned Hanigan all are out till at least round one, so they'll be coming in without any game time behind them. They might be physically fit by then but game fitness is a different thing entirely. Not a great start, especially if we get a bundle of injuries out of the trials.
Brumby Runner
David Wilson (68)
With the Brumbies in 2022/23. Not a starter, but played some games off the bench as I recall.
TSR
Mark Ella (57)
Sinclair is an interesting choice. I know leadership groups are often broad, but I would have thought with guys like Holloway, Hanigan & Foketi that selection in the leadership group means Sinclair is likely part of the match day 23 at least. Good for him - was a decent contributor last year but I did think he would have been outside the best 23.Confirmation that Gordon is continuing as captain:
Porecki vice captain and Hugh Sinclair rounding out the leadership group
The Ghost of Raelene
Andrew Slack (58)
Not knowing any injuries in the trials that may happen they should have everyone you would consider a Round 1 starter available though.
Gordon and Marky floating back in for the Reds trial then I expect limited time for most of those guys in the trial v Warringah/Manly leading into round 1
The Ghost of Raelene
Andrew Slack (58)
Round four or out the door: What’s at stake for Waratahs coach Coleman
Waratahs officials have put a deadline on a decision over Darren Coleman’s future as the NSW coach stated his desire to remain with the men in sky blue.
- Sources with knowledge of discussions, speaking on the condition of anonymity, have told this masthead that a decision will be made around round four on whether Coleman will remain in charge for the 2025 season. His contract is up at the end of this year.
- The Waratahs face the Reds (away), Crusaders (in Melbourne at Super Round), Highlanders (home) and Blues (home) in their first four matches.
- Coleman is philosophical about his future. He would love to stay but understands the results-driven nature of the industry.
“I know there are people above me who make decisions about my career, and they will do it with the best interest of the organisation at heart,” Coleman said. “I can’t preach putting the team first and not do it. If the people above and the playing group decide I’m not the guy to take them forward, they’ll do that and I’ll leave here happy I did my best. I love this place. Whatever the role is or how it all works, I’d love to stay and build on it."
Drew
Bob Davidson (42)
I wish Gibson was given that ultimatum all those years ago. Or maybe he was and quit the role beforehand?Round four or out the door: What’s at stake for Waratahs coach Coleman
Waratahs officials have put a deadline on a decision over Darren Coleman’s future as the NSW coach stated his desire to remain with the men in sky blue.www.smh.com.au
- Sources with knowledge of discussions, speaking on the condition of anonymity, have told this masthead that a decision will be made around round four on whether Coleman will remain in charge for the 2025 season. His contract is up at the end of this year.
- The Waratahs face the Reds (away), Crusaders (in Melbourne at Super Round), Highlanders (home) and Blues (home) in their first four matches.
- Coleman is philosophical about his future. He would love to stay but understands the results-driven nature of the industry.
“I know there are people above me who make decisions about my career, and they will do it with the best interest of the organisation at heart,” Coleman said. “I can’t preach putting the team first and not do it. If the people above and the playing group decide I’m not the guy to take them forward, they’ll do that and I’ll leave here happy I did my best. I love this place. Whatever the role is or how it all works, I’d love to stay and build on it."
The Ghost of Raelene
Andrew Slack (58)
Not an easy start to the year.
What is a good realistic set of results? 2/4 wins? I know 4/4 is always the goal but if they could beat the Reds in QLD then win one of either Highlander, Blues at home I'd be content.
I still think there is a big gap from the what will be the top 2 and the rest. I'm assuming the Saders will be there again. I know the Blues have been good but I still feel they are more beatable.
What is a good realistic set of results? 2/4 wins? I know 4/4 is always the goal but if they could beat the Reds in QLD then win one of either Highlander, Blues at home I'd be content.
I still think there is a big gap from the what will be the top 2 and the rest. I'm assuming the Saders will be there again. I know the Blues have been good but I still feel they are more beatable.
It sounds reasonable if they're still leaving their options open.
If you have a red hot start to the year then sure, work on Coleman's new contract then. That's perfectly reasonable.
If you have a poor or average start to the season then start your search for 2025. That's not to say that Coleman shouldn't also be part of that consideration. As your coaching search continues you're going to have more information about how the team is performing this year which will give you a better idea of whether or not it makes sense to extend Coleman.
If you have a red hot start to the year then sure, work on Coleman's new contract then. That's perfectly reasonable.
If you have a poor or average start to the season then start your search for 2025. That's not to say that Coleman shouldn't also be part of that consideration. As your coaching search continues you're going to have more information about how the team is performing this year which will give you a better idea of whether or not it makes sense to extend Coleman.
Rob42
John Solomon (38)
It seems like a perfectly reasonable approach to me. And yes, RA should be making this decision. Selection of head and assistant coaches for the Super franchises should absolutely be done with central input, it's a critical element of developing coaching pathways in Australia.
Wilson
David Codey (61)
Probably have to make that call soon given the Wallabies are looking for assistants and Gilmore particularly could be high up that list. If the tahs want to shift to him then they can't delay too much.
Could also be that Coleman transitions into a wallabies assistant role if the tahs decide to move on from him, though I'm not sure about his experience as a domain specific assistant vs as a head coach.
Could also be that Coleman transitions into a wallabies assistant role if the tahs decide to move on from him, though I'm not sure about his experience as a domain specific assistant vs as a head coach.
Hawko
Tony Shaw (54)
Coleman puts the injury list down to changes they have made to preseason training - looking for more explosive bursts of speed for shorter more intensive time periods followed by fast recovery in response to the way the game has become so episodic. I genuinely regret that change, I think its a big part of what has led to the decline in interest in rugby, but the rule-makers at WR (World Rugby) refuse to act so coaches and conditioners just have to act accordingly. It seems that the Waratahs have focused on explosive strength, high speed and quick recovery and some of the player's bodies have not adapted well.
I think reviewing Coleman's contract after four matches is utter madness. Half way through 2014, Chieka's win-loss record was 50-50. We lost against Canberra in Canberra (as usual). Then it all came together and the Waratahs didn't lose another game that year. Some time close to the end of the season is when you do that analysis, not four games in. This reeks of NSW management already having decided he is no good but waiting till they have the first possible excuse to shit-can him.
I think reviewing Coleman's contract after four matches is utter madness. Half way through 2014, Chieka's win-loss record was 50-50. We lost against Canberra in Canberra (as usual). Then it all came together and the Waratahs didn't lose another game that year. Some time close to the end of the season is when you do that analysis, not four games in. This reeks of NSW management already having decided he is no good but waiting till they have the first possible excuse to shit-can him.
I don't think they're suggesting they might fire him after 4 games. That would just be the earliest point where they might either offer him a new contract or start searching for a new coach.
If they start searching for a new coach then I also don't think it rules Coleman out as staying.
If you don't start a coach search until July you've likely missed any Northern Hemisphere candidates who moved on after the previous season finished in May.
Yoda
Billy Sheehan (19)
Only a trial..
John S
Chilla Wilson (44)
Just as long as we dont continue to collapse at the start of the season