New NSW rugby coach Chris Hickey plans to tweak and develop the Waratahs attack and isn't fazed by the challenges surrounding the job.

Hickey, a former Australian under 21 and NSW A coach and Brumbies assistant coach, has been appointed for three years after replacing Ewen McKenzie.

McKenzie was told mid-season his contract would not be renewed, but took the Waratahs to the finals for the third time in five years, signing off with a loss to the Crusaders in the decider last weekend.

Hickey denied the role was a poisoned chalice.

"I think that's a bit of a misconception, I certainly don't see it as a poisoned chalice, I think every Super 14 coaching job brings with it challenges, both on and off the field," Hickey said."

"That's the same with the Waratahs, there are high expectations I understand for the Waratahs and I think so there should be."

Neither was he concerned about the politicking which has become part of the Australian rugby landscape over the last couple of decades.

"That doesn't faze me at all, I'm not a political animal but I think the perception is not necessarily reality."

Senior NSW players seemed relieved the appointment had been made.

"It's good they've got it out of the way," winger Lote Tuqiri said.

His sentiments were echoed by flanker Rocky Elsom, who has yet to decide whether to re-sign with the Waratahs.

"It's good that they've got a coach now, it's good for them they've made a decision and ended the speculation," Elsom said.

Hickey said his key priorities were to finalise his coaching and support staff and the playing roster for next year.

He acknowledged it would be hard if the Waratahs lost Elsom and hooker Adam Freier in addition to fellow Wallabies forward Dan Vickerman and David Lyons, who have already opted to go elsewhere.

The new coach credited his predecessor for leaving him a strong roster and program to build on.

"I think the success that they've had this year and their performance in the final indicates that the game is pretty solid," Hickey said.

"Different coaches have got different ideas and philosophies, it doesn't mean it's right or it's wrong and I think that the approach the Waratahs took in the final in terms of the attacking game is probably the area I'd like to build on.

"I would think that the Waratahs game is 90 per cent very very sound and as a coach I'll have my own ideas about how the game can be played and I suppose it's in that area of attack that I would like to think that we would be able to develop talent that the Waratahs have."

NSW Rugby Union chief executive Jim L'Estrange said Hickey's appointment from an initial list of 15 applicants was unanimously endorsed by the NSWRU board on Monday night.

"What I really liked about Chris is his capacity to build cohesive and positive teams and have a really positive influence on culture," L'Estrange said.

Hickey who will officially start his job on July 1, will in the interim liaise with general manager high performance Tony D'Arcy and McKenzie, who NSWRU chairman Arvid Petersen said left a "fantastic legacy."

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