Rugby Australia board member Peter Wiggs has resigned his position
A high profile former television executive is set to take over as Rugby Australia’s next chairman after an explosive email exchange led to more embarrassment for the code.
Rugby
Don't miss out on the headlines from Rugby. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Former Network Ten boss Hamish McLennan looms as Rugby Australia’s next chairman, while former ARU chief operating officer Rob Clarke will step in as interim chief executive amid farcical boardroom bickering that has seen the resignation of new director Peter Wiggs.
RA confirmed on Wednesday morning that Wiggs had resigned just two days after he’d been endorsed as the next chairman, and only 37 days after he’d been appointed to the board.
Wiggs tendered his resignation after fellow board members and executive chairman Paul McLean refused to allow him to immediately appoint Australian Olympic Committee boss Matt Carroll as RA chief executive, to replace the departed Raelene Castle.
Stream over 50 sports on-demand with KAYO SPORTS on your TV, computer, mobile or tablet. Just $25/month, no lock-in contract. Get your 14-day free trial and start streaming instantly >
“The Rugby Australia board has today accepted the resignation of director, Peter Wiggs,” an RA statement said.
“Mr Wiggs was elected to the board at the annual general meeting in March, and tendered his resignation today.”
McLean said: “Peter has decided to step down from the board and I understand his reasons.
“He has undertaken some very important work and has made a valuable contribution to the organisation, in a very short time, and we are thankful for his contribution.
“The immediate priority of the board is to install a replacement for Peter, and an interim chief executive. I will provide an update on those matters at the appropriate time."
McLennan had been tipped to come onto the board for McLean, who previously indicated he would be stepping down from his role earlier than July, which was his scheduled exit date after being convinced to remain as director earlier this year when he intended to walk away.
Now it appears McLennan will replace Wiggs instead, while Clarke will take the vacant CEO role on an interim basis, with a decision on a long-term boss on hold until RA resolves its dire financial predicament that could see the game go broke in weeks.
Clarke is the former chief operating officer of the ARU who was strongly tipped to take over as CEO from Bill Pulver before his shock resignation in 2017, allowing Castle to take the job.
Friction arose between Wiggs and McLean and other directors at last Monday’s Zoom video conference board meeting. The Supercars boss and venture capitalist agreed to take the chairman’s role on the proviso he could immediately appoint Carroll, a long-time friend, as well as bring former rugby boss John O’Neill onto the board.
Some of the other directors, including McLean, John Wilson, Pip Marlow, Hayden Rorke and new director Daniel Herbert, felt that the CEO appointment had to be made after due process was done, paying a six-figure sum to an independent firm to vet candidates.
Carroll had widespread support from board members and NSW and Queensland directors, however some directors wanted the usual process followed.
At a time rugby faces insolvency, Wiggs wanted Carroll appointed as a matter of urgency in unprecedented times.
After Monday’s meeting, Wiggs threatened to resign.
It also emerged from an email exchange between McLean and Wiggs, leaked to The Australian newspaper, that McLean wanted McLennan to take over as chairman and approve of Carroll’s appointment, which ultimately led to Wiggs’ resignation.
The email from McLean said: “What if we get Hamish and Matt together immediately, and if Hamish is comfortable (with Matt) and to come to the Board early, and as designate Chair, we could appoint Matt (Phil [Waugh], Dan [Herbert], Brett [Godfrey], and me would support). You remain a lead director, without the Chair title which was never your desire, anyway, Matt gets the role he would like, and we get a good CEO immediately.
“I can only presume you hate the politics as much as me, so I’m keen to get this resolved. I put Rob [Clarke] on hold, but that won’t last long. Maybe a chat in the morning.......... Rgds PM”
Wiggs replied: “Hi Paul, This is a very disappointing email, what little regard I had for RA Board is now extinguished. I tried calling to discuss. I will resign tomorrow. Regards Peter.”
Wiggs had been instrumental in getting Australia’s 192 professional players to accept huge pay cuts to keep the game alive amid the COVID-19 crisis, after Castle and the board had failed to get an agreement with RUPA for weeks.
Soon after the pay-cuts were announced, Castle resigned from the job after losing the support of the board.
Wiggs was identified as the man to turn the struggling code around and moved quickly to bring Carroll on, with AOC president John Coates issuing a statement of support for Carroll to move to rugby where “his heart is”, and touting him as the administrator rugby needs.
Carroll told The Daily Telegraph that rugby needed to make tough decisions and had an opportunity to put things right, however now it appears his mooted move back to the code is dead.
Originally published as Rugby Australia board member Peter Wiggs has resigned his position