Waratahs - a brief rugby history

Colours: Jersey: Cambridge Blue Shorts: Oxford Blue Socks: Oxford Blue with Cambridge Blue tops
Home Ground: Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
Chairman: Roger Davis
CEO: Andrew Hore

The most appearances is by Benn Robinson (144).
The most points scored is by Matt Burke (959).
The most tries scored is by Lote Tuqiri (30).

The Waratahs were formed in 1996. They represent the Australian Rugby Region of New South Wales (NSW).

In 2017 they play 7 home games against the Western Force, Brumbies, Crusaders, Kings, Blues, Rebels & Jaguares. They will play 8 away games against the Lions, Sharks, Rebels, Hurricanes, Reds, Highlanders, Chiefs & Western Force.

The head coach is Daryl Gibson. The assistant coaches are Nathan Grey, Chris Malone & Cam Blades.

Previous head coaches were: Michael Cheika, Bob Dwyer, Michael Foley, Chris Hawkins, Chris Hickey, Ian Kennedy, Ewen McKenzie & Matt Williams.

In 21 years they have had 8 coaches & used 209 players.

The 2017 captain is Michael Hooper.
The squad is: Cameron Clark, Andrew Deegan, Jack Dempsey, Damien Fitzpatrick, Israel Folau, Bernard Foley, Jake Gordon, Ned Hanigan, Bryce Hegarty, Jed Holloway, Rob Horne, David Horwitz, Harry Jones, Andrew Kellaway, Sekope Kepu, Tolu Latu, Matt Lucas, Mack Mason, Ryan McCauley, David McDuling, Dean Mumm, Taqele Naiyaravoro, Sam Needs, Nick Phipps, Hugh Roach, Tom Robertson, Reece Robinson, Paddy Ryan, Matt Sandell, Irae Simone, Will Skelton, Angus Ta'avao, Senio Toleafoa, Michael Wells, Brad Wilkin.

They finished in 10th position at the end of the 2016 round-robin stages going on to lose in a semi final.

They have finished in the top 6 of the round-robin stages of the Super competition 12 times out of 21 years.

Their worst finish was 13th out of 14 in 2007.

In the play-offs they have featured in three finals, losing twice to the Crusaders, in 2005 & 2008 & beating the Crusaders in 2014.

Their average finishing position is 6.10.

They are 6th on the New Zealand TAB fixed odds to win the competition @ NZ$13.00.
On Centre bet (Aus) they are picked 6th @ A$17.00.

Testimonial

It gives me great pleasure to write this character reference about this website. There would not be a person in this country who doesn’t know that rugby is the national game of New Zealand. The passion runs deep and the profile and exposure of the sport is without peer. A fair chunk of our heroes come from the game and nothing affects the mental psychology of the people more than rugby. Not even politics.

Because of this rich feeling, discussions in society are often based around the game and on the players involved. Memories tend to play tricks on people. They can fade and forget and get things muddled up. For nearly 90 years New Zealand rugby enthusiasts have been superbly served by the Rugby Almanack. It remains the definitive source of information from each season despite the advancement of technology.

However, we must accept that technology has advanced and like rugby, we therefore need to embrace the good that comes with that change. www.rugbyhistory.co.nz is the best rugby history site that is available. It provides comprehensive records of the All Blacks, all the Super rugby sides and most impressively of all, places a large emphasis on the national provincial competition, which remains such a crucial part of the fabric in New Zealand.

Kery Geertson’s dedication to this growing rugby treasure can not be denied. It continues to grow, mature and impress. To paraphrase the late, great Terry McLean www.rugbyhistory.co.nz should be stored as a favourite website for every rugby lover; it provides facts and fairness and hours of one of life’s greatest pleasures – browsing.

Grant Hassall
Wannabe Rugby Historian
New Plymouth

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Waratahs - a brief rugby history