Daly, a 1991 World Cup-winning Wallaby, will coach the Waratahs on their return to the Illawarra District Rugby Union competition.

Daly has many fond memories, but one in particular came back to haunt him after he saw the movie Invictus, which is based on the 1995 rugby union World Cup in South Africa, which he was part of.

Daly was part of the Australian team that South Africa beat before going on to win the trophy against New Zealand in the final.

``I liked the movie but it's difficult for me to watch it, remembering our loss against South Africa,'' Daly said. ``We were ambushed big time that day.''

Daly, who is now an employee of the financial institution Comprehensive Lending in Campbelltown, stayed to witness a part of history as a spectator during the final.

He met the then South African president Nelson Mandela during the World Cup group stage and saw him again at the final.

``Mandela just turned up out of the blue,'' Daly said.

``He shook hands with a few of us and said to me `it's nice to see you''.