RA chief executive Castle set to be axed: Reports

SYDNEY: Rugby Australia’s chief executive Raelene Castle could be sacked in a matter of days, local media reported yesterday, as the embattled governing body struggles to deal with a financial crisis compounded by the coronavirus shutdown.

Castle this week took a 50% pay cut and laid off 75% of Rugby Australia (RA) staff, saying the body faced losses of up to A$120 million ($71.94 million) if no more rugby was played this year.

With no pay agreement secured with the players, and their representatives calling on RA to provide more financial information ahead of negotiations, the sport has endured another week of negative headlines.

The Australian and The Daily Telegraph both reported that Castle had lost the confidence of a board to which three new members were added at this week’s Annual General Meeting.

Former Australia captain Phil Kearns, who lost out when New Zealander Castle was appointed in 2017, was named as her likely successor by both newspapers. RA later said in a statement that it had shared specific financial information with the Rugby Union Players Association (RUPA) on Saturday regarding a short-term pay deal.

“... Rugby Australia believes the financial information it has provided today allows RUPA to accurately advise the players on these negotiations,” it said. The parties would meet on Sunday to take the negotiations forward, it said.

“... we look forward to reaching a fair and reasonable agreement given the current circumstances the game is facing.”

Castle took significant flak for her handling of the dismissal of Wallabies fullback Israel Folau last year, the costs of which contributed to a A$9.4 million loss in 2019. She has also been criticised for spurning an offer from Fox Sports TV to extend their broadcast deal and instead taking the rights to market, potentially leaving Rugby Australia without a television deal at the end of 2020.

Earlier, New South Wales Waratahs coach Campbell Aitken admitted there were mixed emotions for his team after they secured their third straight Super W title by declaration because of the coronavirus outbreak.

With all rugby in Australia suspended until at least June 1, Rugby Australia made the call to name the Waratahs, who were top of the women’s competition standings with four wins out of four and three bonus points, champions on Friday. “It is mixed emotions for us, obviously I’m happy for the players and staff after all the effort they put in but disappointed we didn’t get a chance to play in the grand final and put on a show for our home fans,” Aitken told rugby.com.au.

The third year of the competition was cut short before a playoff to decide which of the Queensland Reds or ACT Brumbies would meet the Waratahs, who have never lost a Super W match, in this year’s final.

Despite Rugby Australia facing a financial crisis amid the coronavirus shutdown, director of rugby Scott Johnson said the governing body would continue to back the women’s game.

“Women’s rugby is going from strength to strength in Australia and, whilst rugby may be paused for now, we will continue to support our women’s programmes as we build towards the Olympic Games and the Women’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand next year,” he said in Friday’s statement.