NSW rugby union chairman Ed Zemancheff says the Waratahs have ended their search for an import and won't be using the departures of three prominent Wallaby forwards as an excuse in the coming Super 14 season.

Last season's losing Super finalists will embark on their 2009 campaign without overseas domiciled forwards Rocky Elsom, David Lyons and Daniel Vickerman.

Queensland have already recruited All Blacks flanker Daniel Braid and NSW also attempted to supplement their home-grown talent with an import player, but couldn't land their target.

The newly-elected Zemancheff said securing an overseas player wasn't now such a priority.

"The opportunity to bring in imports, whilst it's not a bad idea, it can't be a shortcut for not developing young players," Zemancheff said.

Wallabies back Timana Tahu was expected to recover from a hamstring injury in about three weeks, though the Waratahs were still awaiting more information about the injury which cut short forward Wycliff Palu's tour.

With back Ben Batger out for the season with a shoulder injury, Zemancheff said NSW had three vacant spots on their 2009 roster and he was happy to give young emerging players opportunities.

"We've got obviously Daniel (Vickerman) and Rocky (Elsom) and David (Lyons) are no longer with us, but you move on," Zemancheff said.

"That's life, it won't be an excuse, it will be the last time you hear about that.

"I'll tell you one thing that won't be coming out of NSW Rugby is excuses, blaming injuries or weather or referees."

The NSWRU chairman said he expected his organisation would support the idea of another Australian Super side even if it was based in the Waratahs' Sydney heartland, as it would provide more opportunities for players.

Zemancheff emphasised new Waratahs coach Chris Hickey had not been set any performance benchmarks in his three-year contract but stressed the NSW had "high expectations and a winning culture".

He had been impressed by the way the Waratahs' new mentor had approached his job.

"We are very very comfortable with the off-field team that we have put together headed up by Chris Hickey, he hit the ground running, he's incredibly hard working," Zemancheff said.

Zemancheff said the board would not have any input into selection or the style of play of the Waratahs.

With major sponsor HSBC signing on for three more years, Zemancheff was optimistic about the NSWRU's future, even though he revealed he expected his organisation to report a small loss this year.

"But nothing that we can't handle and nothing we can't manage, there's a number of reasons why that will happen in 2008," Zemancheff said.

He said membership sales had been a little slow following the Waratahs' poor 2007 campaign and there's also been "a small shortfall in sponsors".

Zemancheff revealed the NSWRU was looking at establishing a separate `Waratahs Inc' body to run that part of his organisation's business.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP