Billionaire blames RA for losses

Billionaire mining magnate Andrew Forrest has blamed the leadership of Rugby Australia for the Wallabies’ failings at the World Cup, saying he will barrack hard for ‘‘other people’’ to take over.

The Wallabies were thumped 40-16 by England in the quarterfinals, continuing a bleak period for rugby in Australia.

Forrest has been scathing of Rugby Australia’s management team, lead by chairman Cameron Clyne, ever since the Western Force were booted out of Super Rugby’s ranks in 2017.

Forrest will launch a new competition called Global Rapid Rugby in March next year, and he’s confident it will breathe new life into rugby in Australia.

The six-team competition will feature rule changes designed to promote attractive rugby. The Force is set to be joined by a team from New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa, Hong Kong, and Malaysia for the first season, with expansion later.

Forrest is excited about the ways Global Rapid Rugby can change the landscape, but scathing of the negative influence the RA board has had on the Wallabies. ‘‘I put everything down to leadership,’’ he replied when asked about the Wallabies’ failings at the World Cup.

‘‘I’m surprised they did as well as they had with the decisions that the Rugby Australia chairman and board have made.’’

Forrest is still filthy about the decision to axe the Force from Super Rugby.

‘‘It’s just completely ridiculous, unfair, un-Australian. But who cares — Global Rapid Rugby is here and it’s going to be super strong,’’ he said.

‘‘Without us, it (Australian rugby) would be really on its tail. We are the brightest good news story on Australian rugby in the Southern Hemisphere.’’

When asked whether he would be interested in taking over as chairman from Clyne, Forrest replied: ‘‘I’m a busy bloke, but I’m a passionate supporter of rugby and WA.

‘‘I’ll be barracking for other people.’’

AAP