NSWRU ANNUAL REPORT. Office Bearers 2. Affiliated Unions 3. Chariman s Report 4. Chief Executive Officer s Report 6. President s Report 8

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1 2005 Annual Report

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3 NSWRU ANNUAL REPORT TABLE OF CONTENTS Office Bearers 2 Affiliated Unions 3 Chariman s Report 4 Chief Executive Officer s Report 6 President s Report 8 Waratahs Match Reports 12 Club Rugby 20 Awards 24 NSW Waratah Academy 26 Representative Rugby 27 Commercial & Operations 28 Media & Communications 30 Community Rugby 32 NSW Referees 34 NSW Country 35 NSW Suburban 36 National Training Squad 37 NSW Juniors 38 NSW Schools 39 Representative Results 42 Director s Report 53 Meeting of Directors 54 Statements of Financial Performance 59 Statements of Cash Flows 61 Director s Declaration 75 Independent Audit Report to Members Annual Report NSWRU 1

4 2005 NSW RUGBY UNION OFFICE BEARERS Ron Graham Ken Catchpole Arvid Petersen Mike Brown Fraser Neill Will Jephcott Laurie Maher Ian Ross Bob Shield Daniel Vickerman Ed Zemancheff PRESIDENT R. Graham VICE PRESIDENT K. Catchpole OAM HONORARY LIFE MEMBERS JB Carroll, BH Ivimey OAM, Dr IR Vanderfield OBE, JW Simpson, JWT MacBride, JE Freedman OAM, LJ Barraclough (Deceased), JD Brockhoff, RW Meagher, PA Harry, P Falk. CHAIRMAN D. Kumar (until 30 May, 2005) A. Petersen CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER F. Neill BOARD OF DIRECTORS M. Brown, R. Graham, W. Jephcott, L. Maher, F. Neill, A. Petersen, I. Ross, B. Shield, D. Vickerman, E. Zemancheff PREMIER RUGBY COMMITTEE B. Shield (Chairman), F. Neill (NSWRU), M. Lakeman (Eastern Suburbs), C. Blunt (Gordon), F. Ellis (Manly), J. Harkness (Northern Suburbs), G. Hudson (Parramatta), J. O Brien (Penrith), D. Cleary (Randwick), K. Maloney (Southern Districts), D. Mortimer (Sydney University), W. Poole (Warringah), L. Mills (West Harbour). JUDICIAL COMMITTEE T. Willis (Chairman), K. Garling (Deputy Chairman), C. Dodds, R. Higgins, B. Kinsey, M Laffan, J. Nicholson, R. Rosenblum, T. Wallace COUNSEL ASSISTING B. Hodgkinson, G. Wilson CITING COMMISSIONER G. Capel APPEALS TRIBUNAL J. Gleeson QC (Chairman), J. Freedman, P. Garling, C. Poulden, P. Purcell, B. Smith. NSWRU Annual Report

5 AFFILIATED UNIONS OFFICE BEARERS NSW COUNTRY RUGBY UNION PRESIDENT L. Maher VICE PRESIDENT P. Veenstra DIRECTORS B. Fisher, J. Perkins, G. Warfield, R. Wood, B. Worboys EXECUTIVE OFFICER T. Woodward SPONSORSHIP OFFICER T. Orman NSW SUBURBAN RUGBY UNION PRESIDENT D. Moore CHAIRMAN I. Ross TREASURER D. Hinton BOARD OF DIRECTORS D. Henry, A. Jones, P. Kelly, M. Kennedy, C. Moloney, R. Morris, P. Timmins NSW JUNIOR RUGBY UNION PRESIDENT M. Minns HONORARY SECRETARY B. Weyland HONORARY TREASURER C. McCarthy VICE PRESIDENT - SJRU B Killham VICE PRESIDENT - CJRU D. Paul NSW SCHOOLS RUGBY UNION PRESIDENT C. Murray VICE-PREISDENT G. Dedrick SECRETARY G. Gerrard TREASURER A. Elliott EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR M. Green RUGBY ADMINISTRATORS T. Richards, M. Want NSW REFEREES ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT J. McCarthy SECRETARY M. Blair TREASURER P. Baird REFEREES MANAGER R. Mancell 2005 Annual Report NSWRU 3

6 CHAIRMAN S REPORT NSW has taken giant strides in the last two years since resuming self-governance but it has been in the last 12 months that we ve made the biggest steps. It truly is a new era for the Union. Our finances are back in order, in what equates to a ten million dollar turnaround in fortunes. A $1 million dollar operating profit in 2004 was followed by a $3 million surplus this year. With solid participation numbers and our flagship, the HSBC Waratahs, making the Super 12 final for the first time Rugby has never been healthier in NSW. We renewed one of Australian sport s best partnerships with HSBC and sealed a 10 year deal with both Aussie and Telstra Stadiums which also included the construction of a centre of excellence at our Moore Park home. Diligence and determination has put NSW Rugby back in the big game which is where we belong as we dwarf many national unions in size and resources. Now we must harness these resources and focus on building NSW Rugby into a world class sporting organization. Over the year the Board and management have developed a new strategic plan. Future success will be built on 3 pillars. 1) A culture of winning and achievement. 2) Growth and development of the game. 3) Financial sustainability WINNING AND ACHIEVEMENT Winning is something the Waratahs did extremely well in Although beaten in the final by one of world Rugby s greatest provincial sides, the Waratahs won widespread praise for their courage and toughness to fight to the very end. In fact, the deeds of the 2005 Waratahs will serve future teams for years to come. The tough and honest approach that the side lived by was clearly apparent in the way they played. In the process of winning games they dispelled many myths about the character of the men in blue. NSWRU Annual Report Ewen McKenzie wasn t afraid to resort to trench warfare and play games like Test matches. He simply had to win games, sometimes they were gritty and sometimes a little fl ashy, but he won them and instilled that winning culture in the organisation as a whole. It was a year of many firsts under Ewen s leadership including famous triumphs against the Reds and Brumbies. To beat Queensland for the first time in the 10 year history of Super 12 meant something was different about this NSW side. Earlier the Waratahs had boldly bussed into Canberra with the HSBC branded bright blue coach and achieved what very few sides have ever been able to do, and that s beat the Brumbies on their home turf. The success of the Waratahs no doubt had an impact on the rest of the organisation. From media and marketing to Community Rugby the output and quality of work was up across the board. The Waratah brand went to the rest of the world in October with another successful tour of Eastern Europe gaining unprecedented media coverage for a tour of its type. Once again it produced more victories but just as vital was exposure to strong scrummaging teams like the Argentina tour had provided a year earlier. But the success stories didn t end there in 2005 with the Shute Shield igniting passions for the game at club level, not seen for many a year. A massive crowd for the decider at Pittwater Rugby Park grabbed national headlines as Warringah beat Sydney University in a thriller. The Tooheys New Cup followed and it produced a great fi nals series before University deservedly won the title over Eastwood. The systems and administration structure of NSW Rugby delivered some outstanding achievements all the way down to junior Rugby. Pathways are now clearer for those aspiring to higher representative honours and we now have close to 100 players in the elite Waratahs and Academy programme. So from the Waratahs down there are wins across the board. GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT At the very heart of our game is Community Rugby. Without our juniors we have no future. This year we have audited the playing numbers thoroughly with our redefined boundaries. A full explanation of these numbers can be found in the Community Rugby report which details the new levels of accuracy reached in calculations. The numbers are still extremely good but it is something that we must continue to work hard on. The elite players involved with the Waratahs are very impressive, however, the grass roots level of the game is just as vital to nurture. This is where club land plays a crucial role. The Tooheys New Cup is Australia s premier club competition and NSW Rugby has worked very closely with the Sydney premiership sides to ensure a bright future. The NSWRU stood firm with the premiership clubs as various development solutions were suggested during We are pleased to be at the forefront of the drive for a new national elite Rugby competition and the NSW Board is especially happy with the commitment shown by the clubs on possible joint ventures to make it work. During my time as Chairman, I ve been amazed by the amount of talent in our heartland. The numbers in Suburban Rugby continue to astound as does its incredible crowds. Rugby development takes in so many different needs and as the sporting landscape changes so must Rugby. Arvid Petersen

7 CHAIRMAN S REPORT This is important off the field too where NSW Rugby continues to develop cutting edge marketing and media strategies. We have many competitors for the hearts and minds of young Australians nowadays and it is imperative that we become a major player in the business of sport while maintaining Rugby s unique traditions. FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY It is always satisfying to announce a healthy operating surplus in any annual report but it is even better to do it repeatedly. We are back in the black thanks to years of belt tightening and that means more money for the game at all levels. But we must continue to put aside funds for the future when times may not be so good or other circumstances beyond the Union s control cause a dramatic reduction in income. The NSWRU Board has decided to create a Special Reserve Fund. This fund will set aside money for future development of the game. It will also ensure that the Waratah legacy, already 130 years old, will live on for many years to come. All the money we make goes back into the game so a Reserve Fund will ultimately ensure we have a prosperous future. The improved financial status of NSW Rugby has been further enhanced by the stadium deals with Aussie Stadium and Telstra Stadium. Put simply the venue agreements are the biggest financial arrangements in the Union s history. There was much commentary and emotional debate in the media at the time of negotiation but what we ended up with was win-win-win across the board. We still have our spiritual home at Moore Park, where the first game was played in the 19th century, but we also have the flexibility to take a final as early as 2006 to the vast seating capacity that only the Olympic Stadium can provide. These are the big decisions for a big Union and as a Board we are willing to make them for the long-term benefit of our game. The one thing we will not do is endorse quick-fixes. A commitment to long-term development is the soon to be announced construction of a world leading Centre of Excellence training facility and home base at Aussie Stadium. This will not only support upwards of a hundred players it will also serve as an attractive beacon for others outside NSW as we strive to be the best. Another impressive off-field victory for NSW Rugby this year was the renewal of our partnership with our major sponsor HSBC. A record multi-million dollar deal further entrenched the Union s reputation as a big deal maker in It is a special bond between NSW and HSBC as both organisations grew their profiles significantly during the first three years of the relationship. Now with another three years as major partners, NSW and HSBC will find new ways to help each other grow in the Australian market. The current state of the union has been the result of some incredibly dedicated people working extremely hard. It was a great honour to step into the role of NSW Chairman after Dilip Kumar stood down to remain on the ARU Board in May and later become Australian Chairman. Dilip is a passionate Waratahs supporter whose leadership led NSW out of debt and into a healthy state. His legacy at NSW is one that many will benefit from. The challenge for myself and the Board is to build upon it into the future. On behalf of NSW Rugby I wish to formally express our gratitude to Dilip for his contribution. Another significant departure from the Board of NSW was President Ron Graham. A former distinguished Wallaby, Ron was the ideal figurehead of the Union and a man who will be deeply missed. Ron s commitment to uphold the ideals of the game are admirable and I have learned much from his intimate knowledge of Rugby. Like Dilip, Ron s Chairmanship of the ARU is another significant endorsement for NSW Rugby and we shall always be indebted to him. To my fellow Board members I thank you all for your dedication to the game and the constituents you represent. Together we have worked for the betterment of the game in NSW and it has been a pleasure and honour to serve with you all. Of course we are incredibly grateful to Ewen McKenzie and Chris Whitaker for their efforts with the Waratahs. Their leadership and tough and honest credo have spread throughout the organisation with outstanding results. To break as many hoodoos as the Waratahs have this year and still make their first final was a fine achievement. Special mention too for Chris 100th NSW cap. CEO Fraser Neill and his staff have supported the Waratahs wonderfully for another season as have our sponsors who continue to grow in number each year. Immense gratitude must also go to the authors responsible for the official documented history of NSW Rugby, Guardians of the Game. Co-writers John Mulford and Dr John Moulton have filled a lengthy void in our game and for that we thank them very much. Steve Johnson deserves special mention also for his tireless statistical work that put names to the games more than a hundred years old. I finish with the volunteers. Without you we have no game. NSW Rugby thanks you for your dedication and passion which flows up from the juniors to our Waratahs and Wallabies. You are appreciated and admired. Arvid Petersen Chairman Suport grew for the HSBC Waratahs in Annual Report NSWRU 5

8 CEO S REPORT 2005 was a year of tough decisions and robust negotiations for NSW Rugby. Echoing the sentiments of our Chairman I cannot overstate the significance of the Stadium deals and renewal of our major sponsor HSBC. Unified at last under one roof, NSW Rugby is finally starting to realise its potential as a major player in the world game of Rugby. It seems like an age since we started 2005 with the Tsunami Sevens, the brainchild of former Chairman Dilip Kumar. As a community we acted quickly and compassionately to the disaster which devastated our neighbours and it was heartening to see the efforts of those associated with the Union throughout the day, including the Waratahs carrying donation buckets and participating in various activities. From that moving beginning the year went into Super 12 mode and I m proud to say we witnessed the coming of age of the Waratahs. Personnel changes had clearly worked for head coach Ewen McKenzie whose tough but fair approach to the game would rightfully win him accolades throughout the season. As the wins kept coming and numerous hoodoos were broken, the doubters were put in their place and the long term supporters puffed their chests out and dusted off their sky blue heritage to once again wear with pride. The standing ovation the team received as they ran on to the pitch for the semifinal, was a clear sign of the progress the team had made. A lot of credit must go to Chris Whitaker and his leadership group for taking on the challenging new ideas as laid down by Ewen and delivering on the pitch. The new sense of ownership and accountability within the players should stand them in good stead for coming seasons. The Board s decision to extend Ewen s contract before the trial matches were played this year was met with a certain amount of derision in some quarters, but has subsequently been seen to be a positive proactive move that ensured an environment of certainty and continuity that would be important in achieving the successes of this year. This was evident throughout the organisation from Team Waratah, sponsors, the academy, the premiership clubs to the media. As the Waratahs did, the staff and Board of NSW Rugby pushed ahead with the development of a strategic plan for the future, casting a critical eye across the organisation to identify its flaws and underline its outstanding attributes. Before we could seriously move forward we had to assess what sort of organisation we are and whether or not we should be something different. The staff and Board got stuck into the self analysis which drilled down to some core issues before leading to the template that we have for the organisation today. The Purpose is a one page document that provides a snapshot of what NSW Rugby is all about. It is important to reiterate that this has been the collaborative work of the Board, staff and players and took some time to complete. Having said that, however, strategic planning is a dynamic process and The Purpose will continue to be challenged and is always open to change as the organisation evolves. NSW RUGBY PURPOSE DREAM One indicator of the health of an organisation is a healthy balance sheet which for the first time in many years is back in the black. With a 3 million dollar surplus this year we can start to seriously reinvest in the future of our game as our Chairman underlined heavily in his report. But we have many constituents with very different needs and so the challenge is there to make sure that no-one is left behind in the push for growth. Our decisions on where to invest these monies will need to be well considered and responsible. To inspire and enrich peoples lives through the power of NSW rugby OUR LEGACY 130 years of rugby tradition; the origin of the game in Australia, The Waratahs, the largest provincial union BELIEFS 1. Rugby enriches peoples lives and should be accessible to all SPIRIT Winners in Union CHARACTER Winners 2. Responsibility for the development of the game Proud 3. Stewardship not ownership Inspirational 4. The Waratahs are the flagship Innovative 5. NSW Rugby is dependent on the success of both The Waratahs and Community Rugby Responsible 6. Clear pathways are important for achievement Tough & Honest 7. Community involvement is essential to the success of the game Inclusive 8. Inspiring and winning both on and off the field Team Players FOCUS Winning through 15 man rugby Fraser Neill GREATEST IMAGINABLE CHALLENGE To be the pride of NSW through our achievements on and off the field NSWRU Annual Report

9 CEO S REPORT At the very foundation of all things NSW Rugby is its enduring history. More than 130 years strong I was overjoyed by the response at the Ken Catchpole Medal Presentation Dinner when the Guardians of the Game was launched. A moving documentary on the night produced by our own Media Unit set the scene for an evening of nostalgia. It culminated with Eastwood s perennial performer Tim Donnelly winning the Catchpole Medal in a dramatic final count. Many voices and images were heard and seen that evening but what I do recall as I made the wrap up speech was an overwhelming sense of pride throughout. The life members whom we cherish so much, the Waratahs of old, the referees and volunteers we readily take our hats off to; were openly expressing their joy at being part of a strong NSW Union again. Our renewed strength provided a strong platform which was fundamental to ensuring a positive outcome from the Stadium negotiations which I touched on earlier. From 2006, should we qualify, the Waratahs will play the Super 14 Final at Telstra Stadium. All of our regular season home games, including semifinals, will be played at Aussie Stadium until 2009 when another marquee fixture will move to the larger venue. From 2011 a second marquee match will move to the Olympic Stadium. The Ten year deal also secures a Centre of Excellence at our Moore Park home base. A state-of-the-art gym and administration building that we expect will become the envy of many organisations. It is a fantastic outcome for NSW Rugby and we d like to thank all members involved in the process from the SCG Trust and Telstra Stadium. The Moore Park precinct is our home and we congratulate the Trust Chairman Rodney Cavalier, the Trustees, CEO Jamie Barkley and his dedicated staff for their ongoing assistance. To Ken Edwards and the Telstra Stadium Board we wish to express our thanks to you also for your vision in expanding the game to a wider audience will be remembered for some incredible Rugby in all of our competitions. From Suburban and the Kentwell Cup won by Knox Old Boys to the thrilling Shute Shield victory by Warringah at Rat Park and the Tooheys New Cup final won so comprehensively by Sydney University. All of the details are located inside including a traditional report on NSW Country. These competitions wouldn t be possible without sponsors and we ve acknowledged all of our commercial partners in the back of the Annual Report. Special mention of course goes to HSBC, Tooheys New, Mazda and Canterbury. The ABC also deserves accolades for its continued commitment to live coverage of the Sydney Premiership. I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank our former Chairman Dilip Kumar and former President Ron Graham. They have presided over a significant period of growth and regeneration in NSW Rugby. I have benefited significantly in my position from their vision for the Union and determination to deliver on that vision. The business acumen of Dilip and the presence of Ron made for an impressive leadership team on the Board. So it came as no surprise to us when both went to ARU and both held the post of ARU Chairman. To the General Managers of NSW Rugby I owe you a debt of thanks. Peter Colquhoun has overseen a massive overhaul of Community Rugby which has involved the department taking a new direction that has required significant management change, the benefits of which we expect to reap over the next few years. The Commercial and Operations Department is another area which required redesigning in the wake of virtually all services returning in-house from the ARU. The appointment of Dave Gibson to oversee this department has seen immediate returns in performance and sponsorship income. Working closely with Dave and his team is Media & Communications Manager Djuro Sen who gives us a vital edge with his lengthy experience as a journalist and commentator with the ABC and Seven Network. Todd Day deserves high praise for his efforts as Financial Controller. With a new accounts structure now in place for 2006 which focuses on being more stakeholder specific, we will be in a better position to make more timely and informed decisions in terms of our business. To the gentlemen in charge of our Rugby department we express gratitude for their outstanding achievements. Ewen McKenzie as Director of Rugby and Tony D Arcy as General Manager of High Performance have formed a high quality leadership team who preside over a hundred players in the Waratahs and other elite training squads. Organisations are only as good as the people working in them, and the staff that work under these GMs have also been outstanding and their efforts through this year as we take more control over our destiny should not be underestimated. The NSW Board of Directors is in my opinion a model for others to follow. While diverse in their backgrounds and expertise, there has been a unity in the direction they have wanted to take the Union, and this has provided a solid platform of certainty from which the business has been able to operate. We close the book on 2005 with great pride, comforted by the knowledge that the work has just begun. The successes of 2005 have only served to raise the bar in terms of expectations which presents many new challenges in itself. However these challenges are positive ones that should be embraced by all those associated with NSW Rugby. Fraser Neill Chief Executive Officer 2005 Annual Report NSWRU 7

10 PRESIDENT S REPORT 2005 has been a year of great satisfaction for Rugby in NSW, with the HSBC Waratahs fine achievements on the field mirrored by a similarly bullish financial performance off it. It is with a sense of great anticipation that we look ahead to 2006, content in our position in the Australian sporting landscape. Far and away the highlight of the year just past was the Waratahs best ever Super 12 season. While the result of our first appearance in a Super 12 Final is now consigned to the history books, the platform laid during the lead up to that night in Christchurch stands us in good stead as we embark on our opening Super 14 campaign. The confidence and self-belief instilled in the players during 2005 showed through on the field and those lessons have continued as we welcome new players into the fold for In late 2004, the Waratahs sat down to decide upon a credo by which to live in Tough and Honest was decided upon, and the players and staff immediately set about putting it in place. This was done in a number of ways, from the implementation of a searching and at times confronting peer assessment programme to the simple promise to be accountable in everything they did. It worked, as results on the field showed. Those results were simply outstanding. We won ten games during Super 12, two more than any other year, and enjoyed some excellent personal performances. Peter Hewat s pointscoring feats signalled his arrival on the scene and anything like a repeat in 2006 should surely see him push for Wallaby selection. Starting the year with only two caps and five points to his name, Peter racked up a new Waratah record 243 points from 17 matches, scoring 14 tries, kicking 40 conversions and 31 penalty goals. He played 17 of 18 Waratah games this season, Captained Manly to the finals of the Tooheys New Cup and also featured in two games for Australia A. A truly special talent, he s now the fourth highest pointscorer in Waratah history, just eighteen months after making his debut. We look forward to more of the same in the first year of Super 14. Special mention must also go to our charismatic skipper Chris Whitaker, who brought up 100 state caps during Chris devotion to the Waratahs has been well documented, and this honour is possibly the most well deserved I ve seen in my time as NSWRU President. It was my pleasure to present Chris with his 100 th cap, following the victory over Queensland at Aussie Stadium, and although the mark was achieved one week previous in Dunedin there could have been no more fitting a time to take care of the official proceedings than after a long-awaited victory over our arch rivals from the north. An unbroken run of matches in 2006 will see Chris break Matthew Burke s all time caps record, and I can t think of a more fitting honour for a man who s been a loyal servant of NSW Rugby for almost a decade. And while the past season saw many special on-field efforts, tribute must also be paid to those whose work behind the scenes often goes unseen. In particular, 2005 saw the end of an era at the Waratahs with team manager Dave Gibson stepping down after more than fifty games in the job. Dave s dedication and contribution to team life since taking over the role in 2000 knew no bounds, and he s set a hefty standard for others to follow. Dave has since gone on to restructure and refocus the business end of NSW Rugby, in his new role as General Manager Commercial & Operations. We wish him well and know that his valuable input will continue for many years to come. Ron Graham As always, we worked hard on the present during 2005, while at the same time keeping one eye firmly on the future. The Ewen McKenzie-led restructure of NSWRU s teams department continued this year, with the expansion of the Academy and the appointment of Academy head coach Tony D Arcy to the role of Waratah High Performance General Manager. Other roles were re-defined in line with new performance goals for the organisation, and I m sure we will soon see these changes bear fruit. Returning to the field for a moment, and we welcomed 19 new Waratahs into the fold during David Alo, Clint Eadie, Daniel Halangahu, Ben Hand, Josh Holmes, Luke Milton, Hugh Perrett, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Dave Rimmer and Troy Takiari all debuted against Auckland in July, while Tom Egan, Jonny Hoy, Will Hunt, Sam Norton-Knight, Kingsley Seale, Brett Sheehan, Matt Skillecorn, Hugh Willoughby and Tim Wright all made their first appearances on the Gulf Air Development Tour of Eastern Europe. As was the case in 2004 with Stephen Hoiles, the most pleasing aspect of the extraordinary list of debutantes was the ascension of Tatafu Polota-Nau to the Wallaby squad and, eventually, NSWRU Annual Report Pointscoring Ace Peter Hewat touches down against the Reds

11 PRESIDENT S REPORT his first two test caps. Tatafu showed in his performances against England and Ireland that he has the talent to go a long way in this game, and I m certainly pleased that he ll be doing it with a sky blue jersey on his back. Once again, the Waratahs and NSW played a leading role in supplying players for our national teams across all age levels. Waratahs Al Baxter, Matt Dunning, Rocky Elsom, Adam Freier, Alex Kanaar, David Lyons, Tatafu Polota- Nau, Mat Rogers, Wendell Sailor, Lote Tuqiri, Morgan Turinui, Daniel Vickerman, Phil Waugh and Chris Whitaker all saw time with the Wallabies during 2005, while Leroy Houston & Stephen Hoiles were unlucky not to pull on the gold jersey despite achieving selection in the Wallaby squad. Similarly, 13 non-waratahs aligned with Tooheys New Cup clubs also won Wallaby selection, a ringing endorsement for the quality of our club competition. On top of this Shaun Berne, Adam Freier, Peter Hewat, Leroy Houston, Ben Jacobs, Alex Kanaar, Lachlan MacKay, Sam Norton-Knight, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Mat Rogers, and Brett Sheehan all made appearances for Australia A; 11 players were selected to play for the Australian Under 19 s and 14 for the Australian Under 21 s. After a year like 2005, it is all too easy to get caught up in the performances of the professional end of our operations. However the strong performances have been a feature at NSW Rugby across the board during the past 12 months, and I would like to personally thank our hard working staff for all they have done to keep NSWRU performing at the highest level. Financially we are in very good shape, and the continuing restructures being undertaken across a number of departments have kept us at the forefront of Rugby operations in this country. With the initiatives currently being put in place, I feel this is where we shall stay for some time to come. But it was with great sadness that 2005 closed with the loss of one of our most respected life members, John Barraclough AM who passed away in December. John was a former president of NSW Suburban Rugby from 1964 to 1989 and Patron from 1990 to He will always be remembered for his services to Rugby and particularly through his much loved Subbies. The Barraclough Cup will continue to carry his name with great fondness and gratitude. In November one of our greatest ever wingers, Eddie Stapleton also passed away. Eddie was a powerful attacking winger who played 16 Tests for Australia and 13 matches for NSW between 1951 and 1958, and even played a tour match for New Zealand. We also acknowledge the passing of former administrator John Dedrick who was Secretary of the ARU from 1976 and became the organisation s inaugural Executive Director in He refereed international teams as well as more that 200 first-grade matches and countless schoolboy matches over a 30-year period, and was a life member of the NSW Referees Association. NSW also honours the memory of dual Rugby/Cricket international Alan Walker, who died in June. Alan was an immensely talented athlete who played 10 Rugby matches for New South Wales and five Tests for Australia before being selected in the Australian cricket team. We will miss these gentlemen immensely but our hearts will always be warmed by the memory of their deeds both on and off the field. Finally, I d like to acknowledge the hard work and dedication shown by the NSWRU Board, its Chairman Arvid Petersen and before him, former Chairman Dilip Kumar. I d also like to thank Chief Executive Fraser Neill for his ongoing efforts to keep the Union in its rightful place, at the top of the Australian sporting landscape. And it would be remiss of me not to express my sincere gratitude to the staff of NSW Rugby, who give quite generously of their talent and time each year. The Union would be much poorer but for the efforts of these men and women. It has been an honour and a privilege to serve NSW during such a significant time in the Union s history. Ron Graham President, NSWRU Determined - Morgan Turinui Chris Whitaker with the Templeton Cup Fired Up - Game Day at Aussie Stadium 2005 Annual Report NSWRU 9

12 WARATAHS 2005 Ewen McKenzie If I were to sum up 2005 in one word then that word would be attitude. Put simply we had the right attitude to break hoodoos and create history to reach our first Super 12 Final. This wasn t easy to achieve. Led admirably by our captain Chris Whitaker, the Waratahs embarked on a series of open and honest feedback sessions. These sessions found new resolve within the squad and bonded the players like never before. It was also the genesis of our team trademark tough & honest. From this we formed a leadership group that worked closely with the coaching staff and management in all aspects of operating Team Waratah. This evolved into a strong team mentality, which was often reported in the press as added steel to the Waratahs. This translated to the improved attitude I wrote of earlier and with that came the results on field by which we are ultimately judged. I m confident that 2005 will mark the start of a new era for NSW with a consistent and influential place at the top of Australian Rugby. The first and most important achievement was winning consistently. To do this we had to bury many demons. It didn t matter how these victories came about, they just had to come. Our inaugural win over Queensland was especially pleasing. Prior to this we travelled to Canberra to tackle the Brumbies. The game was hard but produced an extremely rewarding victory. The culmination was our appearance in the Final against the Crusaders. The loss was hard to take given the great strides we had made during the season but the commitment was made there and then to go one better next year. We have continued to develop a playing style for all occasions and will continue to recruit players that enable us to use all the elements of the game. We have focused heavily on the simplification of our approach at the same time requiring more of our players in terms of responsibility for making the play. We like to be organised yet unencumbered enough to recognise to play the game as it is and not be restricted by what we think the game might be. The 2005 Super 12 was a season where we were tough on ourselves and on the opposition. We ended with the best defensive record in the competition and the second best attack record. We again proved strong in our ball winning efforts with the best lineout in the competition. Most of all we managed to earn some respect for ourselves, in the way we played and for our results. Our consistency was terrific. All of this must be a platform for 2006 and not just a memory. I would like to thank the playing group for their acceptance of new ideas and their willingness to try things that are new. The maturity of all our players was outstanding. We have been blessed with a hard working crew of staff who all bring to the table specific styles and abilities that enable a challenging environment rather than a comfortable one. The end of the Super 12 season saw the end of an era with team Manager Dave Gibson moving into the critical role of Commercial Operations. He has been instrumental in the nuts and bolts of the Waratahs for a long period and I wish him the best, knowing that his efforts in the new role can only help propel the Waratahs further down the track we want to go. I would like to thank specifically the coaching staff of Steve Tuynman, Brian Melrose and Les Kiss for their enthusiasm, consistency and spark. In the end they were important interfaces for me with the team and this was enormously appreciated. New team manager Scott Harrison, his assistant Geoff Threlfo, Dr Sharron Flahive, physio Stuart Pavely, strength & conditioning coach Peter McDonald and media manager Djuro Sen are all leaders in their fields and together they make a formidable management team. Once again post Super 12 we enjoyed further competition for our Waratah squad including a game against the eventual NPC winners Auckland and a highly successful tour of Eastern Europe. The Gulf Air development tour allowed 14 of our Waratahs and 16 of the next best academy and club players the opportunity to travel and play in the most difficult but enjoyable circumstances. Wins against the Czech Republic, Romania A, Romania and finally Russia were important for our future recruitment and development. It is also important the Waratahs continue to win. We have all experienced the upside of a more successful I take great satisfaction is seeing our supporters filling Aussie Stadium for each game and proudly wearing the sky blue jersey in the streets. Finally, I must thank Fraser Neill, the CEO of NSWRU, Dilip Kumar and Arvid Peterson, both Chairmen of the Board during the last 12 months. These gentlemen and the other members of the Board have been rock solid in their support of the Waratahs and for that I am extremely grateful. A new winning culture has taken hold at NSW Rugby and it s one that the whole state can be proud of. Ewen McKenzie Head Coach NSWRU Annual Report Challenging the players with new ideas

13 WARATAHS HSBC WARATAHS SUPER 12 SQUAD ALASTAIR BAXTER SHAUN BERNE AARON BROUGHTON-ROUSE WILL CALDWELL BRENDAN CANNON TIM DONNELLY MATT DUNNING ROCKY ELSOM ADAM FREIER NATHAN GREY DWAYNE HAARE GARETH HARDY JUSTIN HARRISON PETER HEWAT STEPHEN HOILES JOSH HOLMES * BEN JACOBS ALEX KANAAR * DAVID LYONS LACHLAN MACKAY WINSTON MAFI CHRIS O YOUNG WYCLIFF PALU BENN ROBINSON * MAT ROGERS CAMERON SHEPHERD CHRIS SIALE REX TAPUAI * LEI TOMIKI ELIA TUQIRI LOTE TUQIRI MORGAN TURINUI DANIEL VICKERMAN PHIL WAUGH CHRIS WHITAKER MARTY WILSON * * ARU High Performance Unit (HPU) contract holders Annual Report NSWRU 11

14 TOOHEYS NEW SUPER Chris Whitaker delivers against the Sharks in Durban Mat Rogers finds Lote Tuqiri in space WEEK ONE Aussie Stadium, Sydney Friday 25 February, 2005 HSBC Waratahs 25, Chiefs 7 The brilliance of fullback Mat Rogers helped the Waratahs open their account for 2005 with victory over the Chiefs in round one. With an appreciative Sydney crowd of 30,815 looking on, Rogers set up two tries and crossed for one of his own to take man of the match honours in his comeback to Super 12. Two tries to Morgan Turinui and one to Lote Tuqiri saw the Waratahs bag a bonus point, a handy acquisition ahead of the side s trip to South Africa for weeks two and three. Wingers Peter Hewat & Winston Mafi, lock Alex Kanaar, flanker Wycliff Palu, flyhalf Lachlan MacKay and scrumhalf Chris O Young all made their Super 12 debuts during the match. HSBC WARATAHS 25 Tries: Morgan Turinui (2), Mat Rogers (1), Lote Tuqiri (1) Conversions: Mat Rogers (1) Penalties: Peter Hewat (1) CHIEFS 7 Tries: Sosene Anesi (1) Conversions: David Hill (1) CROWD: 30,815 HALF TIME: WARATAHS 17-0 WEEK TWO ABSA Stadium, Durban Saturday 5 March, 2005 HSBC Waratahs 36, Sharks 13 The HSBC Waratahs made it two wins from as many matches on a balmy night in Durban, with Mat Rogers scoring 21 of his side s points to claim his second straight man of the match award. Rogers crossed for a try and kicked two conversions and four penalty goals to put the match beyond the Sharks reach, while Lote Tuqiri set up an early lead with two tries inside the first 12 minutes of play. The only downside to come out of the four tries to one bonus point victory was rib cartilage damage to flyhalf Lachlan MacKay, with the 22 year-old forced to fly home for treatment. HSBC WARATAHS 36 Tries: Lote Tuqiri (2), Mat Rogers (1), Shaun Berne (1) Conversions: Mat Rogers (2) Penalties: Mat Rogers (4) SHARKS 13 Tries: Brent Russell (1) Conversions: Butch James (1) Penalties: Butch James (2) CROWD: 29,322 HALF TIME: WARATAHS WEEK THREE Ellis Park, Johannesburg Saturday 12 March, 2005 HSBC Waratahs 40, Cats 19 The HSBC Waratahs completed a clean sweep in the Republic with a 40 to 19 victory over the Cats at Ellis Park, but not before being forced to overcome a number of obstacles en route to a third straight bonus point victory. The biggest hurdle was the loss of Mat Rogers to a mid-week groin strain, with head coach Ewen McKenzie shifting Peter Hewat to fullback and elevating Cameron Shepherd to the wing. The move paid immediate dividends, with Hewat scoring at try and kicking six goals to claim man of the match honours in the five tries to two win. HSBC WARATAHS 40 Tries: Shaun Berne (1), Lote Tuqiri (1), Peter Hewat (1), Morgan Turinui (1), Stephen Hoiles (1) Conversions: Peter Hewat (3) Penalties: Peter Hewat (3) CATS 19 Tries: Os Du Randt (1) Jacques Fourie (1) Penalties: Andre Pretorius (3) HALF TIME: WARATAHS 17-8 NSWRU Annual Report Stephen Hoiles touches down for his maiden Super 12 try for the Waratahs

15 WEEK FOUR Aussie Stadium, Sydney Saturday 19 March, 2005 HSBC Waratahs 25, Stormers 10 Two tries to centre Morgan Turinui provided the spark required for the HSBC Waratahs to record their fourth straight victory for 2005 this time a three tries to one, win over the Stormers of South Africa at Aussie Stadium. For the first time this season the bonus point eluded the Waratahs, however the win was enough to keep the home side on top of the Tooheys New Super 12 ladder for another week. The match also saw flanker Stephen Hoiles a twice capped Wallaby make his starting debut for the Waratahs, while HPU contracted lock Alex Kanaar made his starting debut in place of the suspended Justin Harrison. HSBC WARATAHS 25 Tries: Morgan Turinui (2), Phil Waugh (1) Conversions: Peter Hewat (2) Penalties: Peter Hewat (2). STORMERS 10 Tries: Neil de Kock (1) Conversions: Chris Rossouw (1) Penalties: Chris Rossouw (1) CROWD: 31,184 HALF TIME: WARATAHS 8-3 WEEK FIVE Aussie Stadium, Sydney Saturday 26 March, 2005 HSBC Waratahs 42, Bulls 12 Nathan Grey outpaces Bulls centre Bryan Habana The HSBC Waratahs demolition of the Bulls in week five truly signaled Peter Hewat s arrival as a Super 12 star. The multi-talented back scored three tries and kicked seven goals for a personal tally of 34 points, surpassing Matt Burke s 1997 record for most tries in a match by a point. In only his third match in the number 15 jersey, Hewat scored all of his side s first half points to hand the Waratahs a half time lead, while his third try a 95 metre effort down the right hand touch line sealed the win and the bonus point for the home side. With over 25,000 fans cheering him on, Hewat was named man of the match for the second time in HSBC WARATAHS 42 Tries: Peter Hewat (3), Adam Freier Drop Goals: Shaun Berne (1) Conversions: Peter Hewat (2) Penalties: Peter Hewat (5) BULLS 12 Tries: Akona Ndungane (1), Kennedy Tsimba (1) Conversions: Kennedy Tsimba (1) CROWD: 25,133 HALF TIME: WARATAHS Morgan Turinui takes on the Stormers defence Al Baxter prepares for contact WEEK SIX Aussie Stadium, Sydney Friday 2 April, 2005 HSBC Waratahs 27, Crusaders 33 The HSBC Waratahs unbeaten streak came to an end at the hands of the Crusaders in week six of the 2005 Tooheys New Super 12, fighting hard before going down 33 points to 27 at Aussie Stadium. Again, Peter Hewat scored all the Waratahs first half points as the home side went into the break ahead 13-12, but despite extending the lead to eight points early in the second forty the home side was mown down by the Crusaders machine. The highlight came late for the 39,363 fans in attendance, with Lote Tuqiri crossing for a determined five pointer in the final minute to move the score along to Faced with a difficult sideline conversion attempt to secure his side a bonus point, Hewat calmly potted the extras to ensure the Waratahs remained on top of the ladder for another week. HSBC WARATAHS 27 Tries: Peter Hewat (1), Cameron Shepherd (1), Lote Tuqiri (1) Conversions: Peter Hewat (3) Penalties: Peter Hewat (2) CRUSADERS 33 Tries: Rico Gear (2), Chris Jack (1), Andrew Mehrtens (1) Conversions: Daniel Carter (2) Penalties: Daniel Carter (3) CROWD: 39,363 HALF TIME: WARATAHS Annual Report NSWRU 13

16 TOOHEYS NEW SUPER Morgan Turinui and Ma a Nonu come together NSWRU Chairman Dilip Kumar congratulates Chris Whitaker on his 100th appearance WEEK SEVEN Westpac Trust Stadium, Wellington Sunday 10 April, 2005 HSBC Waratahs 24, Hurricanes 26 Despite scoring four tries to three and having Mat Rogers back from injury, the HSBC Waratahs returned home from Wellington pondering what might have been after going down to the Hurricanes by just two points. The Waratahs led with twenty minutes left on the clock, only to concede two tries in three minutes to trail heading into the final ten minutes. Phil Waugh got the Waratahs back to within two points with three minutes remaining, however Rogers conversion sailed wide, handing the Hurricanes victory. The lone upside for the visitors was the clean bill of health handed to skipper Chris Whitaker after the match, Whitaker having left the field after just 11 minutes following a heavy head knock. HSBC WARATAHS 24 Tries: Peter Hewat (2), Lachlan MacKay (1), Phil Waugh (1) Conversions: Mat Rogers (2) HURRICANES 26 Tries: Chris Masoe (1), Ross Kennedy (1), Lome Fa atau (1) Conversions: Jimmy Gopperth (1) Penalties: Jimmy Gopperth (3) HALF TIME: HURRICANES 8-5 WEEK EIGHT Canberra Stadium, Canberra Saturday 16 April, 2005 HSBC Waratahs 10, Brumbies 6 The HSBC Waratahs conquered the first of two major hoodoos for 2005 when they defeated the ACT Brumbies in Canberra for the first time since the Super 12 s inception in A dour affair, the match ended with the Waratahs ahead 10 points to 6, sparking rapturous scenes from players and traveling supporters alike. The Waratahs lone try came through flyhalf Lachlan MacKay, the number 10 crossing for his second try in as many matches since making his return from rib cartilage damage. The match also saw Australian skipper George Gregan leave the field with a broken leg after a heavy coming together with Waratahs skipper Chris Whitaker. The win also secured the Waratahs top spot on the ladder for another week, seeing them head into the bye round with a six point buffer over their nearest opponents. HSBC WARATAHS 10 Tries: Lachlan MacKay (1) Conversions: Mat Rogers (1) Penalties: Mat Rogers (1) BRUMBIES 6 Penalties: Matt Giteau (2) WEEK TEN Carisbrook, Dunedin Saturday 30 April, 2005 HSBC Waratahs 41, Highlanders 20 The HSBC Waratahs turned on a performance to remember in skipper Chris Whitaker s 100th match for New South Wales, at first matching then repelling a highly rated Highlanders outfit at Carisbrook. The Waratahs hit back from 7-nil down after just two minutes to record a five tries to two victory, picking up an all-important bonus point to remain ahead of the Crusaders on the Tooheys New Super 12 ladder. The match was one for milestones, with Peter Hewat bringing up his 100th state and 100th Super 12 points on his way to a haul of 21 for the game. HSBC WARATAHS 41 Tries: Morgan Turinui (1), Phil Waugh (1), Chris Whitaker (1), Peter Hewat (1), Cameron Shepherd (1) Conversions: Peter Hewat (2) Penalties: Peter Hewat (4) HIGHLANDERS 20 Tries: Nick Evans (1), Neil Brew (2) Conversions: Ben Blair (2) Penalties: Ben Blair (2) HALF TIME: WARATAHS CROWD: 27,040 HALF TIME: WARATAHS 7-6 NSWRU Annual Report Lachlan MacKay scores the winning try against the Brumbies

17 Phil Waugh takes a breather Catch me if you can Lote Tuqiri & Wendell Sailor WEEK ELEVEN Aussie Stadium, Sydney Saturday 19 March, 2005 HSBC Waratahs 27, Reds 8 After nine years of failed attempts, the HSBC Waratahs scored their first ever Tooheys New Super 12 victory over their arch rivals from the north, the Queensland Reds. With a vocal home crowd of 38,200 on hand at Aussie Stadium, the 27-8 victory once again proved the 2005 Waratahs had the necessary physical and mental strength to be a threat to any side in the competition. The match itself was a lot tighter than the final scoreline would suggest, with five Peter Hewat penalty goals establishing a match winning lead before the winger crossed for the first try of the game with twenty minutes play remaining. There could be no doubting what victory meant to Waratah players after the five pointer, with Hewat mobbed by team mates soon after planting the ball over the line. Hewat finished with 22 points in all, with prop Gareth Hardy the only other point scorer for the home side thanks to a 76th minute try. Tireless flanker Phil Waugh claimed man of the match honours, thanks largely to an outstanding defensive game. HSBC WARATAHS 27 Tries: Peter Hewat (1), Gareth Hardy (1) Conversions: Peter Hewat (1) Penalties: Peter Hewat (5) REDS 8 Tries: Julian Huxley (1) Penalties: Julian Huxley (1) CROWD: 38,220 HALF TIME: WARATAHS 9-3 Peter Hewat mobbed after scoring against the Reds Morgan Turinui takes on the Blues defence Gareth Hardy s maiden Super 12 try WEEK TWELVE Aussie Stadium, Sydney Friday 13 May, 2005 HSBC Waratahs 25, Blues 20 On a record breaking evening in Sydney, the Waratahs ensured 2005 was their most successful season ever by downing the Blues 25 points to 20, the win their ninth for the year. The win bettered the previous mark of eight victories achieved by the 2002 Waratahs en route to their first ever Super 12 finals series. It was also a night to remember for departing inside centre Nathan Grey, who crossed for his 20th try in his 92nd match for NSW, bringing up 100 points for his state and seeing him surpass Sam Payne to become the 3rd most capped Waratah of all time. In something of a bittersweet result, the Waratahs missed out on the bonus point they needed to secure first place in 2005, despite pressing for their fourth try for much of the second half. This meant first place honours after the regular season would go the way of the Crusaders, and also all but ensured the Waratahs would have to go to Jade Stadium to win the 2005 title. HSBC WARATAHS 25 Tries: Nathan Grey (1), Peter Hewat (1), David Lyons (1) Conversions: Peter Hewat (2) Penalties: Peter Hewat (2). BLUES 20 Tries: Doug Howlett (1), Justin Collins (1) Conversions: Luke McAlister (2) Penalties: Luke McAlister (2) CROWD: 36,031 HALF TIME: WARATAHS Annual Report NSWRU 15

18 SUPER SEMI FINAL Aussie Stadium, Sydney Saturday 21 May, 2005 HSBC Waratahs 23, Bulls 13 David Lyons celebrates with Nathan Grey Morgan Turinui sets sail for the tryline Matt Dunning and Victor Matfield square off Firepower and forward power saw the HSBC Waratahs qualify for their fi rst ever Tooheys New Super 12 Final, the Waratahs scoring a torrid and at times heated victory over the Bulls in Sydney. In front of 35,433 spectators at Aussie Stadium, the Waratahs twice fell behind during the fi rst half before a sensational solo try from Morgan Turinui swung the match in their favour shortly before the break. With man of the match David Lyons laying the platform with a customary charge through the midfi eld, Turinui hoisted the ball into the air off the following phase before somehow managing to snatch it from the waiting arms of two Bulls defenders. From there he won an easy 40 metre sprint to the tryline to make it to the Waratahs at the break. However Turinui s try wasn t the only turning point of the fi rst half. Having endured a wet and cold week in which the main topic of conversation in the media was the size and strength of the Bulls forward pack, the Waratah eight faced their moment of truth on the half hour mark when they faced a Bulls scrum fi ve metres out from their own tryline. And yet instead of yielding, the Waratahs turned over possession with a shove that set the Bulls on their heels and set themselves on a course for victory. A typically heart and soul try to Nathan Grey, in which he carried three defenders over the line to score next to the posts, was the Waratahs only fi ve pointer of the second half, setting up a lead with a little over half an hour of time on the clock. From there the Waratahs shut down wave after wave of Bulls attack, with the home team s defence often stopping their opponents behind their advantage line. Despite a weight of possession the Bulls were unable to break through, the win seeing the Waratahs through to their fi rst ever Super 12 decider. The semifinal was also a chance for fans to farewell departing stars Nathan Grey, Justin Harrison & Brendan Cannon, all of whom were playing their final home games at Aussie Stadium. HSBC WARATAHS 23 Tries: Morgan Turinui (1), Nathan Grey (1) Conversions: Peter Hewat (2) Penalties: Peter Hewat (3) BULLS 13 Tries: Johan Roets (1) Conversions: Morne Steyn (1) Penalties: Morne Steyn (2) CROWD: 35,433 HALF TIME: WARATAHS NSWRU Annual Report Justin Harrison thanks the crowd & his team mates after his final home game for the Waratahs

19 SUPER FINAL Jade Stadium, Christchurch Saturday 28 May, 2005 HSBC Waratahs 25, Crusaders 35 Three tries inside the final 13 minutes of the 2005 Tooheys New Super 12 final couldn t rescue the HSBC Waratahs quest for a maiden title, with the Crusaders running out victors at Jade Stadium in Christchurch. Tries to Mat Rogers (2) and Phil Waugh gave the Waratahs a sniff of victory after trailing 35-6 inside the final quarter of the match, however the damage was already done with the Crusaders crossing for three tries immediately after half time to secure their fifth title in ten years. It was the Waratahs who drew first blood in the seventh minute of the final, with Peter Hewat easily converting a shot at penalty goal, only to see the Crusaders hit straight back through Daniel Carter. Another Hewat penalty in the 13th minute of play put the Waratahs back into the lead, however the strike was a precursor to the Crusaders first try of the evening, scored by wing Scott Hamilton after a neat kick through by Aaron Mauger. Although Carter s conversion attempt hit the post, the Crusaders had up to that point held the bulk of the possession and were looking comfortable at The Waratahs defence took some heavy battering but it held firm for the remainder of the half, a Mauger drop goal just before the half time break seeing the Crusaders lead by eight. Then came the onslaught that would eventually seal victory for the home side, with prop Dave Hewett burrowing over to score shortly after the resumption. Hewett s five pointer was followed by tries to Leon McDonald in the 58th minute and a length of the field special to Caleb Ralph in the 64th, seeing the Crusaders out to what seemed a match winning lead. To their credit the Waratahs refused to lie down, and in the 68th minute of the final they had their first try of the match through flanker Phil Waugh. Hewat converted and all of a sudden the Waratahs had a sniff, however faint at Two minutes later the Waratahs were in again through a clever Mat Rogers kick and re-gather, however the Crusaders then regained their composure to halt the slide. Rogers crossed again with two minutes remaining to get the Waratahs to down, however there it would end, with the Crusaders crowned Super 12 Champions for the fifth time in the professional era. HSBC WARATAHS 25 Tries: Mat Rogers (2), Phil Waugh Conversions: Peter Hewat (1), Mat Rogers (1) Penalties: Peter Hewat (2) CRUSADERS 35 Tries: Scott Hamilton (1), Dave Hewett (1), Leon McDonald (1), Caleb Ralph (1) Conversions: Dan Carter (3) Penalties: Dan Carter (2) Drop Goals: Aaron Mauger (1) CROWD: 36,500 HALF TIME: CRUSADERS 14-6 Lachlan MacKay splits the Crusaders defence Lote Tuqiri evades Daniel Carter Justin Harrison dominates the set piece Disappointment the Waratahs after the final siren 2005 Annual Report NSWRU 17

20 TOUR MATCH REPORTS INBOUND TOUR Centreal Coast Stadium, Gosford Friday 27 July, 2005 HSBC Waratahs 17, Auckland NPC 50 With ten uncapped players in their line up, the HSBC Waratahs headed into their clash with Auckland in Gosford knowing just how tough victory would be to achieve. It turned out to be the case, with the eventual NPC champions running in six second half tries to score a 50 to 17 win. Earlier it was a different story, with the teams heading into half time locked up at 10-apiece. Two quick tries shortly after the break gave Auckland the advantage, however Alex Kanaar edged his side back to within seven points with a converted try in the 12th minute of the half. From there it was all Auckland, the New Zealanders powering away in the final stages to claim a seven tries to two win. HSBC WARATAHS 17 Tries: Tom Carter (1), Alex Kanaar (1) Conversions: Peter Hewat (2) Penalties: Peter Hewat (1) AUCKLAND NPC 50 Tries: James Somerset (2), Tony Koonwaiyou (1), Daniel Braid (1), Isaia Toe ava (1), Taniela Moa (1), Isa Nacewa (1) Conversions: Brent Ward (6) Penalties: Brent Ward (1) CROWD: 8,123 HALF TIME: 10-ALL Tim Donnelly looks for support against Auckland GULF AIR DEVELOPMENT TOUR GAME ONE Slavia Athletic Ground, Prague, Czech Republic Saturday 8 October, 2005 HSBC Waratahs 94, Czech Republic 3 The HSBC Waratahs broke two long-standing records in rolling the Czech Republic 94-3 in the opening clash of their Gulf Air Development Tour in Prague. The win was a record margin for the Waratahs, surpassing the previous mark of 77-nil against Toowoomba in It was also the highest score by a Waratah side, beating the 1994 effort of 81 points against Wanganui. In all, the Waratahs crossed for 14 tries and kicked 12 goals, with tour skipper Shaun Berne bagging a hat-trick and Clint Eadie, Tim Wright, and Kingsley Seale getting two each. While highlights were few and far between for the home side, the local crowd went into hysterics when the Czech fullback slotted a penalty to make it 52-3 at half time. HSBC WARATAHS 94 Tries: Shaun Berne (3), Clint Eadie (2), Tim Wright (2), Kingsley Seale (2), James Campbell (1), Chris Siale (1), Mark Howell (1), Sam Norton-Knight (1), Hugh Willoughby (1) Conversions: Peter Hewat (9), Daniel Halangahu (3) CZECH REPUBLIC 3 Penalties: Tomas Nevicky (1) CROWD: 5112 HALFTIME: WARATAHS 52-3 GULF AIR DEVELOPMENT TOUR GAME TWO Farul Rugby Stadium, Constanta, Romania Wednesday 12 October, 2005 HSBC Waratahs 31, Romanian Barbarians 14 The HSBC Waratahs made it two from two on the Gulf Air Development Tour with a hard-fought win over the Romanian Barbarians in the Black Sea port of Constanta. While meeting much stiffer resistance than that offered up by the Czech Republic in Prague, the Waratahs still managed to run in five tries to two en route to victory. The win however was marred by a head injury suffered by flyhalf Tim Donnelly, the match day skipper helped from the field after just 25 minutes play. While Donnelly was later cleared of any serious injury, he would play no further part in the tour. HSBC WARATAHS 31 Tries: Will Hunt (1), Peter Playford (1), Tom Egan (1), Clint Eadie (1), James Campbell (1) Conversions: Clint Eadie (2), Daniel Halangahu (1) ROMANIAN BARBARIANS 14 Tries: Stelian Burcea (1), Ioan Teodorescu (1) Conversions: Valentin Calafeteanu (2) CROWD: 2000 (Approx.) HALFTIME: WARATAHS 12-0 NSWRU Annual Report Hugh Willoughby crosses for a try in Prague