Waratahs working hard on Johnson

The Waratahs have not given up on their quest to land Scott Johnson as their new Head Coach for next season, even though Johnson has barely taken his first steps as Head Coach of the US Eagles.

The Waratahs have not given up on their quest to land Scott Johnson as their new Head Coach for next season, even though Johnson has barely taken his first steps as Head Coach of the US Eagles.

Johnson admitted to the Australian that he had been approached, but shut the door on a possible move pretty firmly, despite saying in February that he would jump at the chance to take the reins in Sydney.

That was before he took on the American role though, and he insists that he is not about to perform a U-turn.

“I'm honour-bound and I've told them (the NSWRU) that,” Johnson said.

“If you want to find me next week, come looking in San Diego.”

Johnson has not signed a contract with the US team, although he is famed for being a man of his word and hand rather than a man of his ink. He may yet have to sign a contract anyway to comply with visa regulations.

“It would have been nice if there was a coaching job going in Australia back in February, but there wasn't and you make your decisions accordingly,” Johnson said.

“I don't regret things in my life. Things happen for a reason. And who's to say this job (with the US team) isn't going to be special. The United States is the place that you'd think the world of rugby should get right because of the enormous possibilities that would open up for the game. To be part of that will be very exciting.”

Johnson's resolute stance opens the door for Sydney club coach and former Australia U21 coach Chris Hickey to take over, but with many of the current coaching set-up either leaving or rumoured to be leaving, he could inherit an office full of bare desks and empty corridors.