2014 SUPER RUGBY MEDIA GUIDE WARATAHS 100 MICHAEL CHEIKA Position: Head Coach Born: 4 March 1967, Sydney AUS Coaching History: Petrarca Padova Head Coach (2000) Randwick First Grade Coach (2003-05) Leinster Head Coach (2005-10) Stade Français Director of Rugby (2011-12) Waratahs Head Coach (2013-) Michael Cheika’s first year in charge of the Waratahs saw him ring the changes and set an ambitious target for a top-two finish. As a player, Cheika was selected for the Australian U21 side and was a New South Wales representative himself. He made 212 first grade appearances for Randwick as a No. 8, winning seven Premiership titles in his 14-year playing career before adding another as coach in 2004. In 2005, Cheika replaced Declan Kidney as Head Coach of Leinster with his five-year tenure producing the province’s first ever Heineken Cup victory. After a stint in France, he returned home in 2013 and took the reins at the Waratahs on a three-year contract. Under Cheika’s initiative of ball in hand rugby, the Waratahs came home in ninth position but finished fourth on the try scorers list. They made the most line breaks, the second most metres, had the fewest kicks and doubled their season wins to eight. Backed up by a hard work ethic and clear team identity, Cheika will again look to play the running game in 2014. DARYL GIBSON Position: Assistant Coach Born: 2 March 1975, Lumsden NZL Coaching History: Glasgow Warriors Backs Coach (2007-08) Crusaders Assistant Coach (2008-12) Maori All Blacks Assistant Coach (2010-12) Waratahs Assistant Coach (2013-) This is former All Black centre Daryl Gibson’s second season with the Waratahs. He brings a wealth of international coaching and playing experience. His expertise is attack and continuity around the ruck, which complements the club’s vision for 2014. As an inside centre, Gibson played 19 Tests for New Zealand between 1999 and 2002, including the 1999 Rugby World Cup. He also represented Canterbury and the Crusaders, accumulating 77 caps between 1996 and 2002. He is the father of triplets Oscar, Finn and Indy who will turn seven this year.
2014 Super Rugby Media Guide
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