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NSW Waratahs have confirmed Rob Penney will replace fellow New Zealander Daryl Gibson as their Super Rugby coach on a three-year deal.
NSW Waratahs bosses aren't apologising for appointing another Kiwi as their head coach, believing Rob Penney is the man to revive the ailing state of Australian coaching depth.
Penney won a global process to replace New Zealander Daryl Gibson, the 55-year-old signing a three-season deal which will begin when his Japanese club coaching commitments finish in late November.
Penney and chief executive Andrew Hore were both acutely aware of the sentiment that an Australian should have been chosen, particularly after Gibson failed to get the best out of a Wallabies-laden group during his four seasons in charge.
Under Gibson, the Waratahs reached the finals only once and their 12th placing this year prompted his resignation in June.
Hore confirmed Chris Whitaker and Steve Tandy would be retained as assistant coaches while the other coaching positions would be filled by Australians.
However, he wanted the best and most experienced candidate possible for the head role and Penney fitted the bill not only for his success with Canterbury, Munster and Japanese club NTT Communications Shining Arcs.
Hore said Penney had a proven record of developing coaches, with a prime example being ultra-successful Crusaders mentor Scott Robertson, who earned his coaching stripes under the the veteran's eye a decade ago.
He wanted NSW to be proactive in building a coach pathway "and actually not wait necessarily for the national body to do that."
"Just because you bring in a foreign person doesn't mean that you're not still dedicated to that same outcome," Hore said.
"Remember we are probably making up for ten years of lack of investment in coaching development.
"In Rob, we felt we had someone who had a proven track record with working with Tabai Matson, Scott Robertson etc, in bringing through and developing coaches. There are people out there no doubt."
Hore said potential future candidates that sprung to mind are NSW Country Eagles NRC coach Rob Taylor and seasoned Gordon coach Darren Coleman.
Penney said it was obvious there was a good core of players at the Waratahs but he had identified positions that were short in depth or quality.
His preference was to build from within and he would rely on Whitaker and Tandy to be his recruitment eyes and ears.
The departures offshore of Wallabies halves Bernard Foley and Nick Phipps meant some serious development was required there while finding replacements for the banned Israel Folau and departing pair Sekope Kepu and Curtis Rona would also be a priority.
Penney said he'd spoken to Gibson about what lies ahead.
"For one reason or another, there have been some bumps in the road and it hasn't manifested itself in the way he was passionately driving," Penney said.
"(He said) Sydney rugby is crying out for a bit of success.
"(It's) not an easy environment to work in. Need to have the turtle shell on, the deflectors, at times. That's the reaility of professional rugby and I'm stepping into the environment with eyes wide open.
"I'm not being arrogant. I think I can work with people and get young people to achieve their goals."