It’s a strange time to be a Waratahs fan as Darren Coleman enters his third year as head coach. With two quarter final appearances and a possible merger with Rugby Australia on the horizon, coupled with the departure of Michael Hooper, the team is facing significant changes.
The 2023 season was disappointing, marked by humiliating home losses and a lackluster finish. Despite Coleman’s strong background in local rugby and prior success with other teams, the Waratahs struggled to find their footing in 2023.
Coleman’s focus on physicality in pre-season backfired, leading to issues with depth and predictability on the field. The team’s performance suffered, and they struggled to compete with other franchises.
Despite the setbacks, Coleman is known for his resilience and ability to learn from failure. He acknowledges the mistakes made in 2023 and is working to address them in the upcoming season.
Key signings and a focus on addressing depth issues are part of the team’s plan to improve. If successful, Coleman’s strengths as a coach will be amplified, giving the Waratahs a better chance at success in the future.
However, continued issues could have broader implications, especially as Rugby Australia looks to overhaul its approach to the sport. The pressure is on Coleman and the Waratahs to show improvement in the coming season.