Waratahs stick with head coach Daryl Gibson

The Waratahs have secured the services of head coach Daryl Gibson for another season after the 43-year-old signed a one-year extension on his contract.

The deal will see him extend his stay in Sydney until the end of the 2020 season, seven years on since he first joined the franchise as an assistant coach to Michael Cheika in 2013.

Gibson took over the position of head coach in 2016 after Cheika moved into a full-time role with the Wallabies, and after a couple of rocky seasons which saw the Waratahs finish 10th and 16th in back-to-back campaigns, the former All Blacks midfielder guided the New South Wales club to a semi-final appearance last year.

“We are really pleased to have Daryl staying on board until the end of 2020,” said Waratahs boss Andrew Hore.

“Daryl has been a big driver in opening up our players and support staff to importance of giving back to the grassroots and helping reinvest in the game at the community level. He’s instilled purpose and identify in all that our players and support staff do.

“For Daryl, the focus has been on putting the structures and systems in place to not only bring through the younger talent, but invest in coaching and support staff.

“It hasn’t been all smooth sailing over the years, but I’m a firm believer that during the ‘dark times’ comes great learnings and Daryl has been able to ensure we have better systems and processes in place that will continue to develop our game in New South Wales.

“It is great for our State to have him with us until the end of 2020, but more than that, we can already see first hand the legacy he is building to ensure the game is in good hands for the long term.”

Gibson was equally as excited about his contract extension ahead of his side’s season-opener against the Hurricanes at Brookvale Oval this weekend.

“It is a real privilege to continue to serve NSW rugby for another season,” said Gibson.

“I’ve been very open that I want to bring the next generation through as well as bed down the systems we have been working hard to put in place to keep our best rugby talent in the game.

“NSW Rugby has been very focused also on coach development and I want to also look to cement the coaching team and support staff we have built and who have bought into our vision for rugby in New South Wales.

“We have some great people in our ranks and I am excited to be working with them and hopefully delivering some more great results as we build towards the future.”