Cutting Super Rugby team won’t save Australian rugby - axing Bill Pulver will, says Brendan Cannon

AUSTRALIAN rugby needs a new leader and a new plan. Brendan Cannon’s five-point plan to save the game starts with removing ARU boss Bill Pulver.

Bill Pulver must stand down, says Brendan Cannon.

AUSTRALIAN rugby needs a new leader and a new plan.

This week we saw the ARU hold an extraordinary general meeting and though it was billed as a crisis meeting, nothing happened. It was a waste of time and money.

The ARU may have felt assured that a majority supported their strategy to cut a team, but let’s be honest: they were voting to get more players and more money.

Bill Pulver must stand down, says Brendan Cannon. Picture: Phil Hillyard

It wasn’t an endorsement of the ARU’s plans or the way they have handled the Super Rugby cut. It can’t have been and I don’t understand how Bill Pulver and the ARU board, who ultimately own this crisis, can sit back and feel comfortable that this has been the right path. The stain that it has put on the rugby community has been quite profound.

On it’s own, cutting a Super Rugby is not even a logical plan for to fix Australian rugby’s problems. At best it would slow the decline for a year or two.

No, a much bolder and more wide-ranging plan is needed and given the depths we’ve reached this year, and right now is the time to make it happen.

Here are some basic steps I believe can have rugby fans feeling optimistic by Christmas.

1. NEW LEADERSHIP

Bill Pulver has to not seek reappointment and should make a public announcement to that effect.

2. EXTERNAL SEARCH

Rugby has been riddled with perceptions of nepotism for a long time, and that was never more prevalent than after a global search to replace John O’Neill ended up on the next Mosman street from previous chairman Michael Hawker. Bill Pulver was also an old mate from school.

Rugby has always found a level of security in an “old boys network” but it simply needs to go. Rugby is seen as a closed shop, shut off from the reality of wider Australia.

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So wipe the slate clean and have a search that comes back with a truly independent candidate to step into the role and bring the ARU into the modern world. Find a leader with no links to anyone in Australian rugby, or the petty factionalism that shackles the game.

3. INDEPENDENT REVIEW

Those who have allowed this crisis to occur are too close to see the problems they’ve created. They’re in siege mode, defending their decisions.

So, like a receiver comes into a business and pulls it apart to determine what is of value and what is not, Australian rugby needs a independent review. ​Let an​ unemotional figure — the new chief executive — come in and conduct a review that delivers the cold, hard reality of Australian rugby. And then puts the cold, hard solutions on the table.

4. UNIFY UNDER ONE BANNER

Centralisation needs to be strongly considered.

What has happened in the past decade had not been successful. It is just beyond debate any more. On and off the field, Australian rugby isn’t working.

And cutting one team won’t be a panacea.

Our models, our systems, our businesses, our contracting, our development, our coaching, our strength and conditioning — all of that and more can be done so much better if we are all unified and working towards common goals. A rising tide lifts all boats.

If the states oppose it, make it known the financial bailouts are a thing of the past from the ARU. Get on board or go bust, your choice.

5. RE-ENGAGE AND RE-CONNECT GRASSROOTS

The professional level of the game is the issue. Grassroots is still pumping along, kids still love the game, club rugby is popular. There is, thankfully, still a great sense of community. But the professional game has disconnected itself.

There are two simple ideas to fix this.

Charlotte Caslick is a wonderful rugby role model.

One: every single professional player has an obligation to play for their club, at least once in a season. Yes, yes. There’ll be a thousand reasons why people will say it can’t happen — but why not just MAKE it happen?

Next weekend, for example, there are no Wallabies or Super Rugby games. Hang the consequence. Wallabies in clubland trumps some meaningless Super Rugby game a week later.

Two: sew the same “Australian Rugby” badge on every single rugby jersey in the country. Boys and girls. From under 6s to the Wallabies to the Australian women’s sevens team. How powerful would that be? We are all in this together, no matter your age, gender or ability. We are one community.

Kids would love the fact they have the same thing on their jersey that Israel Folau or Charlotte Caslick does. Up goes a poster and there you have a rugby kid locked in for life.

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The governing body has to remember it’s basic purpose: to make rugby thrive in Australia.

Create a strong, clear and bold plan and Australian rugby fans will embrace it. Give them a reason for hope.

Originally published as Cutting Super Rugby team won’t save Australian rugby - axing Bill Pulver will, says Brendan Cannon