NSW Waratahs have given Newcastle the tick of approval and talks have begun about bringing more Super Rugby games to the city.
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A boisterous crowd of 12,621 flocked to McDonald Jones Stadium for the Tahs' shock loss to the Sunwolves on Friday. Although the figure was under the 15,000 officials had hoped for, corporate box sales were strong and The Herald understands that NSW Rugby achieved the revenue benchmarks set.
The Waratahs arrived on Wednesday. Coach Darryl Gibson hosted a seminar for local coaches and the players visited schools and clubs during their stay.
The only negative was the 31-29 defeat.
"It wasn't the result we were after, but if you take away the football side of things, the week was fantastic," Waratahs general manager of rugby Tim Rapp said. "The ground was great as were the facilities and the people running the show. It was a good crowd, they were vocal and there was good engagement with the community."
The match was the first Super Rugby game the Waratahs have taken outside of Sydney. And with their regular home ground, Allianz Stadium, being rebuilt and out of action until at least June 2022, Rapp said Newcastle was well positioned to host more games.
"This is step one in making sure regional NSW gets quality Super Rugby games," Rapp said. "Looking forward, hopefully Newcastle becomes a good home for the Waratahs."
It was a special home coming for Waratahs duo and proud Novocastrians Harry Johnson-Holmes and Andrew Tuala.
"I knew I was always going to enjoy it, but the best thing was how much the team enjoyed it," Johnson Holmes said. "Everyone was surprised by the facilities for starters. Also getting out and about, getting down to the baths, Bar Beach, Merewether surf house ... the boys relished the opportunity to get out of Sydney and still have that home game feel about it. From the players' perspective Newcastle has the tick of approval."
The Waratahs ran on to the pitch, which had a large section relaid on Monday, through a tunnel of junior players.
"As far as moments go, that one will stick around for a while," Johnson-Holmes said. "It has been a pretty full-on week, excitement wise. But when I got here I promised myself that I would switch on and treat it as if I was running on to Allianz and completely block it out."
Johnson-Holmes started at loosehead prop and played 63 minutes. He went off after being hit in tackle off the ball but wasn't injured.
"I jammed my shoulder up a little bit, but that was all. It's fine," Johnson-Holmes said.
Tuala was on the bench but wasn't used.
The Waratahs scrum was rock solid. Johnson-Holmes made five carries and was effective in the tight.
"I was happy with the set piece," Johnson-Holmes said. "It is something we are continually growing. I really enjoyed that aspect, considering last time against them it was a bit ordinary. The game was a bit hard. A big part of my game is around that contact zone in defence and being able to buy my team time by getting on the ball and trying to force a turnover. The Sunwolves play a game that goes from end to end and side to side. For me it was a bit frustrating. The less you do, the more you want to do."
- NHRU club-by-club season preview starts on line at www.theherald.com.au from Monday.
