Tackling the root of ARU dilemma
RUGBY union is in crisis on and off the field, with the sport labelled a national “laughing stock” ahead of tonight’s second Bledisloe clash in New Zealand.
On the back of the Wallabies drubbing in Sydney last week, former Australian Rugby Union chairman Peter McGrath has told The Saturday Telegraph: “Australian rugby is in the worst place it has been since the 1970s.”
“It is a debacle,” Mr McGrath said.
Fans are voting with their feet — Saturday night’s crowd of 54,846 was the lowest-ever turnout for a Bledisloe Test at ANZ Stadium.
A headhunt is now underway for a new chief executive, who will be tasked with one of the biggest rescue missions in Australian sporting history.
Incumbent Bill Pulver offered to step down two weeks ago after the axing of the Western Force from Super Rugby.
He is just one of five of the ARU executive leadership team to quit, including COO Rob Clarke, CFO Todd Day and commercial boss John Nicholl.
Some of the biggest names in Australian sports administration, including Football Federation boss David Gallop, are being touted for rugby’s top job — but the reality is that there is no succession plan at all.
Mr McGrath said the Wal- labies’ thrashing on the field reflected the dire state of affairs of the sport.
“I have had a lot to do with New Zealand Rugby Union over the last six months. They are so far ahead of us in succession planning, so far ahead in terms of their coaching,” Mr McGrath said.
Any new CEO will be building a team from scratch as well as picking up the pieces from the Force debacle. He will also be saddled with a losing coach in Michael Cheika, who is locked in on a $1 million a year salary that is virtually unbreakable because of its generous termination clauses.
The ARU is on its knees financially but has brought back Kurtley Beale from the UK on a $900,000-a-year contract and given David Pocock the first year of his $700,000-ayear contract as a sabbatical for personal development.
The board members will need to appoint a strong CEO if rugby union is to be saved. Football Federation boss David Gallop would not comment on speculation that his name had been put forward. The three female members of the ARU board, Elizabeth Broderick, Pip Marlow and Ann Sherry, are rumoured to favour Bulldogs chief executive Raelene Castle.
Meanwhile broadcaster Alan Jones is touting the CBA boss Ian Narev, who has led the bank into a money-laundering and terrorism-funding minefield.
Whoever takes on the challenge, it will not be easy. Mr McGrath said the ARU right now “is a fiasco, we are the laughing stock of Australian sport”.
Australian Rugby Union chairman Cameron Clyne said there “will be no shortage of candidates” for Mr Pulver’s job and it was normal for the executive team to change when the chief executive did.