Broncos boss Paul White a contender to take over Rugby Australia
Brisbane Broncos chief executive Paul White is in the sights of Rugby Australia as it attempts to rebuild after lurching from one crisis to another in recent months.
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Rugby Australia is targeting Broncos chief executive Paul White to succeed Raelene Castle and lead the embattled sport out of its COVID-19 crisis.
The Courier-Mail can reveal a third-party associate has contacted White on behalf of Rugby Australia to sound out the Broncos boss on his interest in embarking on a cross-code defection to rebuild the struggling rival code.
White, who has reigned at the NRL’s richest club the Broncos for 10 years, was surprised by the approach and is understood to be seriously considering the offer.
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RA is on the hunt for a replacement for Castle following her resignation in April and they have identified White as a frontline candidate to save the sport.
The timing fits nicely. The 53-year-old White is off-contract at season’s end with the Broncos and could make a swift transition to spearhead the recovery of RA which is reeling financially from the Israel Folau saga and their broadcasting bungle.
Former Brumbies and Rebels boss Rob Clarke is currently RA’s interim chief executive, but he has no interest in succeeding Castle in a full-time capacity – opening the door for White.
White is one of the most accomplished administrators in Australian sport.
The former police officer joined the Broncos in 2010 and while Brisbane have not won a premiership on his watch, he has turned the club into a commercial giant that turned over an NRL record $52 million last year.
Also a one-time mining executive, White originally notified the Broncos board he would stand down at season’s end but he is considering serving another 12 months to stabilise the club following the coronavirus pandemic.
The Broncos have discussed White operating on a month-to-month basis next year, but he would prefer the certainty of a one-year extension.
White has been bombarded with career opportunities in recent months with the Broncos boss having fielded interest from European sporting clubs including English outfit Saracens.
He has also been linked with a role as the NRL’s head-of-clubs representative after impressing ARLC chairman Peter V’landys as he spearheaded negotiations over club funding during the COVID saga.
White declined to comment on RA’s approach but when asked about his future recently, he said: “The one thing is I am enormously invested in is the Broncos.
“I made a decision (before the COVID saga) to make this year my last in the best interests of the club.
“But I’m not going to tap out until I am satisfied the club is back on level footing. I’m not giving a definitive answer but I’m not saying no either (to staying on).”
Originally published as Broncos boss Paul White a contender to take over Rugby Australia
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