Waratahs

Waratahs upheaval continues

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The fall-out from a disastrous Waratahs’ Super 14 season continues, after Casino owner Jim L’Estrange became the franchise’s new Chief Executive in the wake of the sudden resignation of Fraser Neill.

It is not known what prompted Neill’s resignation, but the news that chairman Arvid Petersen had placed coach Ewen McKenzie and the entire squad on notice suggested that he had been pushed, rather than just jumping.

Petersen said that the season had been unacceptable and that a change in leadership had been desirable.

“There’s no such thing as standing still. You’re either dying or your growing and, accordingly, the board has decided that new leadership is required at NSW Rugby,” Petersen said to Fox Sports.

“His (L’Estrange’s) prime objective is to improve on our professional program.

“There’s been a very detailed review of our professional program and it’s important that we bring the Waratahs back to a winning way and, importantly, get a Super 14 championship for NSW. We deserve that.”

Petersen also warned the playing and coaching staff that in 2008 only a top four finish will do, and backed his own words up by confirming that he will step down from his role at the ARU to spend more time on the Waratahs.

“In the area of professional sport, whether you’re coaches or players, you’re always measured on performance, so Ewen and all the coaches and players know that performance is the key indicator to their success,” he said.

“Our goal is to win the title and we wouldn’t be satisfied if we didn’t make the semis.

“Ewen and I have talked about this and Ewen clearly feels that we’re a semi-final team next year if we’re healthy, if the recruits come into light.

“We’ve got some additions to our coaching staff and all of us at NSW certainly feel we should be back and be a contender and there’s no reason why we can’t be a winner.

“We’re never going to be satisfied not winning.”

 

365 Digital

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