Waratahs take to classifieds to find new head coach

The Waratahs have well and truly opened the door to the public as they continue their search for a new head coach.

Former All Blacks midfielder Daryl Gibson suddenly resigned from the position last month following a dismal campaign which saw the New South Wales side finish 12th, leaving them without play-offs rugby for the third time since taking over from Michael Cheika in 2016.

Since then, NSW chief executive Andrew Hore has been on the look for his replacement, and has resorted to advertising the vacant role on the Sportspeople platform.

The closing date for applicants is July 24, and no salary has been listed.

With a raft of star players heading overseas and no head coach replacement imminent, Gibson’s exit has left the Waratahs in a tricky predicament heading into the 2020 season.

The Daily Telegraph reported on Thursday that “all the major terms have been agreed” for Australian-born England attack coach Scott Wisemantel to take over the job next season, but he has also been linked to the same role for the Wallabies in 2020.

Waratahs forward coach Simon Cron would have been an ideal candidate to take over from Gibson, but he is joining Toyota Verblitz in the Japanese Top League, where he is set to join forces with current All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen.

He is one of many leaving the franchise, including London Irish-bound trio Sekope Kepu, Nick Phipps and Curtis Rona, while star first-five Bernard Foley is expected to land a contract in the Top League for next year.

Veteran midfielders Adam Ashley-Cooper and Karmichael Hunt could also leave the club.

The Waratahs do have two assistant coaches on their books, but attack coach Chris Whittaker and defence coach Steve Tandy aren’t believed to be running for the head coach role.

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