Waratahs coach Rob Penney has been stood down without pay, but not his assistants, while NSW Rugby chief executive Paul Doorn has taken a 30 per cent pay cut and is open to a further reduction to help keep the franchise afloat.
Almost a month has passed since the Waratahs played their last Super Rugby match, before the competition was suspended due to the spread of COVID-19.
Rob Penney has had a tough start with the Waratahs.
Photo: AAPSince then, rugby has been hit hard, with players and staff facing uncertain futures.
Penney, who signed on as NSW coach in October last year, is not being paid at present. He has gone back to New Zealand to be with family, but is still assisting the team from afar in preparation for a potential return to an Australian domestic competition.
However, Chris Whitaker and Matt Cockbain, two of the team’s assistant coaches, are still on the books.
“We’ve made the decision to go with our two assistant coaches during this period of time and Rob Penney is on stand down,” Doorn told The Sun-Herald. “That is not to do with performance, it’s just a combination of factors. From our perspective, we are looking at improving ... individual skills at a forwards and backs level. It's not as if he's gone into isolation, he's still engaged but on stand down.
“There are a whole host of people we’d love to keep on the books, but it’s just not possible at the moment.”
About 70 per cent of Waratahs staff have been stood down or are on reduced pay. The belt has been tightened for Doorn as well. Despite being in the job for less than two months, the new Waratahs boss has copped a 30 per cent pay cut.
It is less than the 65 per cent Rugby Australia chief executive Raelene Castle has sacrificed but Doorn’s salary is significantly less than the $775,000 Castle earns a year.
Doorn said he was happy to take more of a sacrifice if necessary.
Waratahs boss Paul Doorn has taken a 30 per cent pay cut.
Photo: Supplied“I’m still working full-time, but I’ve said I’m taking a 30 per cent pay cut, which the board signed off on,” Doorn said. “If that needs to be more, then we’ll look at that after what happens behind closed doors over the weekend.
“I’m a bit of a realist – leaders need to lead from the front. I read in the Herald Raelene has taken an extra 15 per cent [cut]. My salary is not the same as being the CEO of a national sporting body. We’re looking to be as strategic as we possibly can to understand what needs to be done for the game to get through to the revival.”
Doorn is across a number of competition proposals being put forward by Rugby Australia's "Think Tank" that could take shape if border restrictions are relaxed and rugby can resume. He is confident the Waratahs can survive despite concerns some Super Rugby clubs could fold.
“We’re focused on surviving, but we need to revive the business and we need to thrive,” Doorn said. “For us it’s about being smart. There is no doubt we’ve talked a lot about the revenue that is driven by the broadcast deal. In an ideal world, you’d be having quality content on television that a broadcaster says, 'Yep, tick, you’ve met all obligations' and that allows us to have that revenue stream coming in. I’ve been super impressed with the collegiality across my fellow CEOs
“I get asked multiple times every day when is it going to be over? If people could articulate at what point the restrictions will be lifted then the world would be a much better place. We have to start from worst-case scenario for most of our planning and work backwards.
“We’re not saying it’s going to be easy but we think we’re in a good place financially if we manage the business, if we manage expenses and manage our relationships with people like sponsors, to be able to emerge on the other side.”