NEW Waratahs coach Chris Hickey is adamant that he has not been handed Australian rugby's poisoned chalice.

Despite serious differences between NSW Rugby Union officials and key team members, plus the inevitability of a "Bring Back Ewen McKenzie" campaign starting as soon as the Waratahs lose next season, Hickey yesterday said he was not apprehensive about his three-year term.

"I think that [the poisoned chalice] is a bit of a misconception," Hickey said. "I certainly don't see it as a poisoned chalice. Any Super 14 coaching job brings with it challenges. There are high expectations at the Waratahs and so there should be.

"There are politics in sport full stop. I don't think it is any different at the Waratahs than it is at the Reds or the Brumbies, or particularly in Perth at the moment. That doesn't faze me at all. I wouldn't say I'm a political animal, but perception is not necessarily reality."

As expected of someone who has been involved in five club premierships and 11 first-grade grand finals in Sydney and Canberra, Hickey, Eastwood's coaching director since 2001, handled the delicate situation with poise. However, the pressure of the moment and weeks of constant criticism had clearly got to NSWRU chief executive Jim L'Estrange.

L'Estrange took issue with one reporter who used the word "sacked" to describe McKenzie's departure. The mood was already edgy, especially after NSWRU chairman Arvid Petersen said there had been a "lot of media hysteria" over the coaching issue. An agitated L'Estrange took it to the next level by lecturing the gathering about the "s---" word.

"This word, which I won't repeat, because it is incredibly incorrect, has been misused and misrepresented over many, many weeks now," L'Estrange said.

"Ewen's contract was up for review. We had a very transparent process with Ewen, which we spoke about in this room eight weeks ago.

"It's been misrepresented many many times, and I won't allow it to be misrepresented again. Ewen had a very successful five years here. We respect absolutely everything he did.

"He leaves with the respect he deserves, and maybe some of the respect that hasn't been given to him by a variety of parties. If I can please ask you to respect that, that is very important to Ewen and very important to NSW Rugby."

Hickey, who will officially begin on July 1, said his priority was to organise his back-up team, including assistant coaches, as well as talking to McKenzie.

"I have no apprehension whatsoever about taking this position," Hickey said. "It's a reality of the coaching profession that at some stage your tenure with a particular team will end. Anyone who takes on a professional coaching role knows that's the case. That doesn't cause me any problems.

"I've known Ewen for a long time, and have a high regard for what he's done with the Waratahs. I would hope we would be able to manage a very smooth transition from Ewen's regime to my coaching."

Hickey admitted it was a concern that several key forwards, in particular Australia's leading second-rower, Dan Vickerman, were about to leave the Waratahs, but was hopeful of convincing Rocky Elsom and Adam Freier to stay.

"It's a lot of experience that leaves at once, and as a coach I know you don't fill those shoes overnight," Hickey said. "I haven't spoken to them yet. But my understanding is that Dan has made a decision. Rocky doesn't seem to have made a firm decision. I'd be hopeful there is a chance to talk to him."