Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson has opened up about his team’s horror loss to the Kings, revealing he asked his players “if we care enough” in the aftermath of the result.
The 26-24 loss in front of their home fans – to one of the worst teams in Super Rugby – has raised questions about Gibson’s future at the club.
He did not shy away from the problems at hand when he spoke to FOX SPORTS Kick and Chase.
“The first question that we asked of each other was – do we really care enough?” he said.
“On the evidence of Friday night, you would say that we don’t.“And that’s a disappointing thing, so we got those grievances out.”
Gibson said the team needed to drill down on why they are consistently underperforming.
“We also looked at whether everyone is really giving their best,” he said.
Click Here: NRL Telstra Premiership
“We’ve got guys who are below where they should be and we are getting down to the issue as to why.”
But rather than shift all the blame to the players, Gibson is also looking internally as the Tahs search for answers ahead of a must-win clash with the Reds on Saturday night.
“I’ll take full responsibility of that and the first person that I have looked at is myself,” he said.“Around whether I am leading this team well and looking at whether the players have really bought in to exactly what we are doing.
“I can safely say and confirm that the players are fully united.
The second year coach also clarified his comments about player talent development in Australian rugby, while backing the talent of his list.
“I’m certainly not using that as an excuse for our team performance – I’m fully responsible for that,” he said.
“What I do want to shine a spotlight on is an Australian rugby problem.
“We have not yet fixed our development system pathways.
“We do have a conveyor belt of talent coming through our system that can feed five teams.
“I believe we do (have the talent) but we don’t have the system that can support that talent.”
The Waratahs face the Reds at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night, broadcast LIVE on FOX SPORTS and on radio at RUGBY.com.au.