Rugby
AAP 5y

Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson signs one-year contract extension

Rugby, Super Rugby

Daryl Gibson plans to depart the NSW Waratahs next year, at which point he'll be the Super Rugby franchise's equal longest-serving coach.

Gibson, who took over as head coach from Michael Cheika after the 2015 campaign, has signed a one-year contract extension taking through to the end of the 2020 season.

NSW came under pressure to sack Gibson during a miserable four-win season in 2017 but his charges fared much better last year, reaching the semi-finals, and look even stronger this year following some key signings.

The former All Blacks centre, who played 19 Tests, is now on track to match Ewen McKenzie's record (2004-2008) as the Waratahs' longest-serving head coach.

Regardless of results in the next two seasons, Gibson has little interest in taking the record outright.

"I think by then I would have done my job there. It'll be for someone else to take it ... it'll be good timing," Gibson said on Tuesday, revealing his plan to leave in 2020.

"Obviously for me, a lot of those decisions are based on my family and where they are at. My children will have finished primary school by then and be ready for high school.

"So it'll be good timing to look somewhere else potentially.

"I'm very clear on what I want to achieve here at NSW. Really leave a legacy and I'll get to those points and make a decision then."

Gibson was coy about future plans beyond 2020.

"A coach lives from week to week. Hopefully I've got plenty of opportunity," he said.

Gibson spent three years at the club as an assistant coach then was promoted when Cheika took on the pressure-laden top job at the Wallabies.

Rather than any on-field achievements he wants to tick off before leaving, Gibson flagged how he wanted certain "systems and structures" to be locked in beyond his tenure.

"I've been very open that I want to bring the next generation through," he said.

The Waratahs' Super Rugby campaign kicks off on Saturday night at Brookvale Oval against the Hurricanes.

^ Back to Top ^