The new Tahs coach tells Rupert Guinness he wants to be judged on more than results. Rupert Guinness: You have 13 Wallabies coming back in mid-January. Will it be harder to integrate them and stop them from imposing their own mindset than if there were, say, only six of them?
Chris Hickey: It will be interesting to see how the two groups come together. We have taken steps to help that happen in a smooth manner. But you would rather have 13 Wallabies coming back than six. That number is indicative of the playing strength. We had meetings with them before they went away. They know where we are at. And I stay in touch with [captain] Phil Waugh, who keeps in touch with the [Waratahs] players over there.
RG: You have lost Dan Vickerman, Rocky Elsom and David Lyons overseas. There was also Al Kanaar's premature retirement through injury last year. Are you closer to filling that void for a second-rower-cum-No.6?
CH: We are no closer. In looking to recruit someone to fill that position, it's important to get the right person rather than just somebody. We are spending a fair bit of time and energy on this. It isn't a speedy process. At times you think you have the right person and they get other opportunities that they take as well. Scott Fava coming on board [from the Force] goes some way to filling the No.6 role, but the key one at this stage is that right-side lock.
RG: Would you roll over the budget for that player another year?
CH: No. You need four locks. We have good young players in our Junior Waratahs program, but they are only 19. They are not developed where they would handle Super 14. Twelve months down [the track] we may go with one of them. What we need is someone for the next year or two until those players are at a stage where they are ready.
RG: Any names in mind?
CH: I have names on my mind all the time. We are still talking to a number of players, but from overseas a lot are on contract to next June. A couple of New Zealanders we were looking at were picked up in the draft in New Zealand. So we are looking to Australians overseas. Justin [Harrison, for example] would be an option, but he is on contract to June. Some Australians are playing in Japan. We are interested to see if they might fit the bill.
RG: Did seeing Ewen McKenzie's fate at NSW make you wonder what you are getting into?
CH: As an outsider, or someone who is potentially involved, you are not immune to that. You do consider all of that stuff, but at the end of the day the thing that interests and motivates you is the involvement with the players.
RG: There have been constant reports that the NSW board is forever intrusive …
CH: At times there has been a perception, but from my experience there has been no intrusion. They have indicated strongly that they have no desire to intrude into the rugby side of things. They have a very strong interest in how the team goes. But in terms of directing how we play, or selection or any of those rugby issues, I have had absolutely no issues in that regard. I don't see any issues going forward. If there were then we would certainly deal with them.
RG: If you record a string of losses next season, someone is bound to make a comparison to the Waratahs of 2008, McKenzie's exit and question how strong your position is … do you have the answer ready?
CH: No I don't. I don't have a preconception about that at all. When you coach, that is a reality. You could be none from five. If that happens, you just deal with it at the time. All you can do is focus on winning the next game.
RG: You were an assistant coach under Rod Macqueen when he coached the Brumbies. Is there any official or unofficial consultancy role that he has with you now?
CH: We have spoken in an informal manner about the position and job. I would hope at times I would be able to bounce ideas off him. It's probably good for all coaches to have someone not involved directly with the team to bounce ideas off. And it wouldn't only be Rod. There are others whose opinion I highly value.
RG: Did Ewen McKenzie give you any advice before he left?
CH: 'Link' and I got together two or three times before he left. We sat down and had a good chat. Most of it was about rugby - where the team developed and has potential to develop. Any coach when he leaves a team wants to see it be successful. You hope there is a legacy there when you leave. There is very strong legacy Ewen left here.
RG: Was it awkward to see him leave as he did and know that that is the fate of so many coaches?
CH: There is a limited time frame. You know that when you take it on, and Ewen was very much aware of that. Other than that first meeting when you are not sure how things are going to be, it was a pretty smooth transition. Ewen was also very keen to make sure there was a transition. It is the nature of the job that very few coaches get to stay as long as they want. Ewen is probably in Paris thinking it has been a good thing for him personally as well.
RG: In your contract are there any requirements, such as the Waratahs must make the finals?
CH: No, not set down. If there was a contract that said you had to finish in the finals, I wouldn't take it on … as simple as that. A coach should be judged on his program. There are a lot of variables: injuries, weather, the draw, travel, referee interpretations. All of them are out of your control. While you are judged on your results, and you can't step away from that, from an employment point of view, it should be about the program you put in place.
RG: Finally, what is your message to the naysayers who believe the Tahs are on a hiding for nothing next year?
CH: You are always going to have sceptics. I would suggest that it is important people support the Waratahs. It is a NSW state team. The players really value that support. Support the team and judge them on their performances and results, rather than the perception or predicting something that may or may not happen.
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