THE WOOD e NEWS 5 JUNE 2008 www.eastwoodrugby.com.au The following press release is currently on the NSW Rugby Website and we have been granted permission to use it in our weekly newsletter by NSW Rugby. EASTWOOD 2008 WALLABIES You can also listen to Chris being Interviewed on Tah Talk on the NSW rugby website www.nswrugby.com.au New HSBC Waratahs Head Coach, Chris Hickey The current Eastwood and former NSW A head coach has more than 14 years of first grade BENN ROBINSON experience in Sydney and Canberra, where he has taken his sides to 11 Grand Finals and five Premierships. NSW Rugby Union Chairman Arvid Petersen said Hickey's credentials, which also include two years at the helm of the Australian Under 21s, were the perfect qualifications for the role. "Chris is a proven winner," said Petersen. "His record with Eastwood has simply been stunning and we believe he can build upon what is already an impressive foundation. "Obviously there's a high standard to live up to, but Chris inherits a great set up, a great playing roster and the organisation will now work with him on getting his coaching team finalised for 2009. "He's shown at a club level his ability to set up a fantastic program with limited resources and LACHIE TURNER create a winning culture. At the Waratahs Chris will have all the resources he needs to bring that experience to a completely professional environment and further develop the program at NSW Rugby." The application and interview process resulted in Hickey being recommended for the role, which was unanimously accepted by the NSW Rugby Board last night. "We were very impressed with the applications we received and took ten applicants to the interview stage," said NSWRU Chief Executive Officer Jim L'Estrange. "We brought four back for a final interview and after that we settled on Chris Hickey being the candidate we would recommend to the Board following the completion of the Waratahs 2008 Super 14 campaign. The decision from the Board was unanimous. "We used some great Rugby minds in Michael Hawker, Matt Burke, Jeff Miller and Phil MATT DUNNING Waugh during the process, which makes us all the more confident we've made the right decision and can start looking forward to 2009 and beyond." Hickey said he was thrilled to be given the opportunity to take charge of the 2008 Super 14 Finalists. CONTACT DETAILS: GENERAL MANAGER: DARREN ORMSBY OFFICE: 98694300 or 0413752739 EMAIL: [email protected] COACHING DIRECTOR: CHRIS HICKEY 0414818325 EMAIL: [email protected] "This is special opportunity I've been given and I'm excited about the role," said Hickey. "Every professional Rugby coach in this state wants to have the opportunity to be the Waratahs coach. "It's a big challenge, a big responsibility, but I know I'm ready and can't wait to get started. "Obviously the team is in great shape, but the Super 14 is the toughest provincial Rugby competition in the world and there's a lot of work that needs to be put in between now and the start of 2009 to ensure the side remains at the top." In addition to coaching the NSW A side in 2003, Hickey was at the helm of the Australian Under 21s in 2005 and 2006 where he oversaw the progress of a number of players now in the Waratahs squad. "During those couple of World Champs we had Benn Robinson, Tatafu [Polota-Nau], Dean Mumm, Ben Mowen, Daniel Halangahu and Benny Batger who are all here at the Waratahs, plus probably 10 or 12 guys running around for other Super 14 franchises, so I'm familiar with a lot of the players. "It also shows the pathways in Australian Rugby to compete at the Super Rugby level are working well; having been a part of those at club, state and national level I have a lot of confidence in them. "I'm confident too that we can continue to use those pathways to further enhance this squad, while maintaining what is already a winning culture amongst a talented group of players." Hickey will formally start in the role on 1 July, and will work with Ewen McKenzie and General Manager High Performance Tony D'Arcy in a handover capacity over the coming month. Chris Hickey - Coaching Profile 1994-2000 Vikings Rugby Club (ACT) - Coaching Director, First Grade Coach > Six Grand Finals, Three Premierships 1997 ACT Brumbies - Assistant Coach > Super 14 Finalists 2001-2008 Eastwood Rugby Club - Coaching Director, First Grade Coach > Five Grand Finals, Two Premierships 2003 NSW 'A' - Head Coach 2005-2006 Australia Under 21 - Head Coach > 2005 IRB World Championships - Finalists > 2006 IRB World Championships - Fourth THIS SATURDAY 1ST GRADE v SYDNEY UNIVERSITY ABC GAME OF THE WEEK SYDNEY UNI OVAL No 1 3.10pm KICK-OFF EASTWOOD v MANLY MAY 31 A strong defensive effort by the Manly Marlins saw them overcome Eastwood 19-6 at Manly Oval last Saturday. Despite both teams being strengthened by returning Super 14 players, it was expected that the in-form Woodies would continue their winning streak however; the Marlins led from start to finish scoring three tries to nil over their more fancied rivals. Although Eastwood had a number of opportunities in the first quarter, Manly put first points on the board when flanker Daniel Collins scored under the posts after the Manly half Paddy Pearse split the defence on halfway and found Collins backing-up inside. The Marlins fullback Adam D’Arcy added the extras for a 7-0 lead. Manly’s close defence placed the young Woods under plenty of pressure and promising attacking moves came unstuck through turnovers or misdirected clearing kicks. Eastwood were then forced to bring on lock James Keith who had completed a full game in seconds, as a replacement for Marty Wilson after he suffered a heavy knock to the head in a ruck in midfield. Right on halftime, Manly went further ahead when ex-Eastwood flanker Will Brame gleefully accepted the final pass to score under the posts after a turnover on half way. Fullback D’Arcy converted for Manly to lead 14-0 at the break. Immediately after the teams returned to the field, Damien Fitzpatrick replaced Todd Pearce at hooker and fullback Ben Batger kicked an easy penalty for a 14-3 score line. With both teams defence restricting most attacking moves, centre Rowan Kellam reduced Manly’s lead to 14-6 with a field goal from just outside the opposition twenty two. This appeared to give Eastwood and their supporters some hope of a comeback but Manly were not to be denied and scored the try of the match when winger Lupini Siale finished off a an expansive backline move to extend their lead out to 19‐6. In the dying minutes of the match, Jim Mathers replaced lock James Keith however, the Woods efforts to salvage the match with some enterprising play failed to convert into points giving the Marlins their best win of the season. In lower grades, both the 2nds and 3rds had strong wins 24‐3 and 21‐11 against top‐of‐the‐table opponents to see them both go to second on the ladder in their respective grade competitions whilst the 4ths were unlucky to lose 7‐0 against one of the strongest sides in fourth grade. At TG Millner Field, Colts again had mixed results with 1sts and 3rds successful with Manly Colts winning the 2nd grade fixture. Next Saturday Eastwood will play their deferred Round 8 match against Sydney University at Sydney University Oval (First Grade only) with lower grades and Colts enjoying a bye weekend. Woodies supporters are reminded that Eastwood 1st Grade will play West Harbour at Western Weekender Stadium on Friday Night, June 13 with the match starting at 8.10 pm. For information on Supporter Buses, please contact the Darren Ormsby on 9869 4300 to reserve your seat as there are limited seats available. Lower Grades (2nds, 3rds and 4ths) will play at TG Millner Field on Saturday 14 June whilst Colts will play West Harbour Colts at Concord. W E S T E R N S Y D N E Y DOUBLE HEADER FRIDAY 13th JUNE PARRAMATTA v PENRITH 6.30pm EASTWOOD v WEST HARBOUR 8.10pm SUPPORTER BUS DEPARTING TG MILLNER FROM 6.00pm. ONLY $10.00 RETURN. RING CLUB TO BOOK A SEAT. WESTERN WEEKENDER STADIUM FORRESTER & BORONIA STREETS, ST MARY’S COLTS CORNER 3rd Grade Colts 1st Grade Colts: Colts 3’s turned in arguably their strongest performance of the season to date in displacing second placed Manly on Saturday. The team went into this game extremely determined to put Manly hit the front in the third minute with a try out wide, but it Manly away, as they sat only 1 point behind us on the didn’t take long for Eastwood to even the ledger, scoring a try of competition ladder. The lead up to the game was their own, courtesy of makeshift #12, Sam Gilbert. A converted interesting, we lost our No.10 Ryan Siviour from the previous weeks game to a work accident on Thursday, and our normal try to Manly on the stroke of half time saw the teams break for oranges with the visitors holding a 12-5 lead. No.12 Sam Ridley withdrawing in the warm-up due to a re- occurring hamstring injury. But without a doubt, it was our best The second half was characterised by tough, aggressive rugby game of the season, especially when everything clicked from both teams.