April 3 (Reuters) - NSW Waratah's interim head coach Chris Whitaker credited former coach Rob Penney for his team's improved performance after the Sydney-based side slipped to an agonising loss against the ACT Brumbies.
Will Harrison's missed conversion after the full-time hooter meant the Brumbies edged a tight encounter 24-22 to leave the Waratahs still looking for their first win of the Super Rugby AU season.
Whitaker was appointed the Waratah's interim coach alongside Jason Gilmore earlier in the week, following Penney's sacking as a result of a run of five consecutive losses.
But the former Wallabies scrumhalf paid tribute to the New Zealander and revealed he had been in contact with the players despite his departure.
"Rob can take a lot of credit, I think it's been there," Whitaker said of the improved performance.
"It was a tough old week and we're probably lucky the Brumbies game came around so quick, because it didn't give the boys too much time to think about it. It was just about preparing for the Brumbies.
"The boys talked to Rob a bit and he can take a lot of credit for that."
The Waratahs remain rooted to the bottom of the standings, having amassed just two bonus points this season, but came close to breaking their dismal run.
James Ramm's try came after the hooter sounded and, had Harrison slotted over the conversion, the Waratahs would have taken the table-leading Brumbies into extra-time.
The miss was to prove costly, although Whitaker refused to push any of the blame for the loss on to the kicker.
"He's disappointed, he's a competitor," Whitaker said of Harrison.
"He wants to win and he feels like he's let the team down. But I think everyone said to him we had plenty of opportunities to win that game.
"Goal kickers win you games, they're not the ones losing you games.
"He'll take it to heart but it's because he's a competitior and that's what we love about him."