Waratahs CEO Andrew Hore leaves for rivals days after appointing new head coach

When Rob Penney was announced as the Waratahs' new head coach for the 2020 Super Rugby season, it was assumed that CEO Andrew Hore would be remaining in his role for the foreseeable future, to work with the man he had just appointed.

Penney arrives at the 'Tahs from the Shining Arcs side in Japan where he has spent the last five years. Before that he occupied head coach roles at Munster and with the New Zealand U20s, as well as enjoying a lengthy stint at Canterbury, where he led the ITM Cup side to four-straight titles.

The Waratahs' diminishing returns on the pitch last season saw the franchise move on from Daryl Gibson at head coach, with the New Zealander having presided over a campaign that saw the Sydney-based side record just six wins and finish 12th on the overall log.

The newly formed duo of Hore and Penney has already been broken up, however, as Hore has left the Waratahs, reportedly for the Blues in New Zealand, just five days after Penney's arrival was confirmed. His resignation brings an end to a three-year association with the Australian side.

NSW Rugby Union (NSWRU) chairman Roger Davis was quick to pay service to Hore's impact on rugby in New South Wales.

"Andrew has been at the forefront of significant progress for NSW Rugby and the Waratahs.

"What he’s been able to achieve during his time here is a credit to his work ethic, drive and passion for our game.

"He’s assembled an excellent team [at NSWRU] to carry out the vision of the NSW Rugby Board, implementing programs and strategies that will secure rugby’s future for many years to come.

"On behalf of the NSW Rugby Board, I’d like to congratulate Andrew on what he has achieved during his time here and wish him the very best with his future endeavours."

Nevertheless, the news will come as a blow to the Waratahs, who issued a statement just three days ago saying that they were aware Hore had been approached about a new role, but that was as far as the process went. At the time, Davis stated that he was aware of the rumours and would be looking into them.

As for Hore, he now faces the unenviable task of trying to rouse the Blues from their long slumber, with the Auckland-based franchise having failed to make the Super Rugby playoffs since 2011. Their last title came back in 2003, when they beat the Crusaders.

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