If McLennan goes; ‘Suaallii deal in jeopardy’

A state union source says under siege chairman of RA, Hamish McLennan, is expected to face a board vote at 8pm.

Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan says that combined, NT, SA and Tasmania, from next year could have more control of the code than its largest playing state NSW. Picture: Adam Yip

A loan to secure the financial future of the code, key sponsorships and the blockbuster signing of Roosters star Joseph Suaalii all could be on the line if Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan is “speared”.

A member union source said Rugby Australia is meeting again at 8pm on Sunday to vote on the chairman.

It is unclear but there may be another candidate who will throw their hat in the ring to become chairman.

“If he or she has the numbers it could see the exit of Hamish,” a source said.

McLennan did not return calls from The Australian.

McLennan’s future in the sport was on tenterhooks on Sunday afternoon despite an outpouring of support from billionaire Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest, Olympic boss John Coates and former Prime Minister John Howard.

On Friday six states called for McLennan to quit. The six state unions called his behaviour “arrogant” and demanded he resign now.

Early Sunday McLennan told The Australian that if an extraordinary general meeting was called by the states, and he does not have the backing of the majority of unions then he would “happily walk”.

McLennan also proposed a referendum to be held at the EGM on fixing the constitution and centralisation following the Wallabies’ disastrous showing at the World Cup.

“Bring on an EGM and let’s clear this up once and for all, otherwise the division and backstabbing will continue,” McLennan told The Australian.

“The purpose of the EGM should be a referendum on fixing the constitution and centralisation. This is our moment. If I lose the vote I will happily walk. For those who vote against me, if they lose, they should walk and we’ll unify around fixing the game”.

McLennan said the campaign for his removal, which is being driven by Queensland chair Brett Clark, had engaged a PR firm.

“Has the QRU been taking media advice from an outside firm about getting me removed?” McLennan said. “Have member union funds been used against myself and RA?”

Former PM Howard says he “strongly” supports the under-siege rugby chairman.

“I strongly support Hamish and I agree with the approach he is driving, the centralisation approach,” Mr Howard told The Australian.

“To have any pretension of making an impact with a national sport you’ve got to have a national approach.”

Mr Howard, who was a member of Australian rugby’s World Cup 2027 bid committee which also included Olympic boss John Coates and Sir Rod Eddington, said McLennan was an excellent leader.

“In my opinion, just as an observer, I know obviously I’m not on the board, and I’m not as close to the administration as other people are but I did have an opportunity of working with Hamish when I was on that bid committee,” Mr Howard said.

“It was a very, very effective group and his contacts in the business community and internationally through his business activities bring an additional value to his leadership.”

“He was a very good chairman and I think he’s done a very good job.”

“Now, as for the appointment of Eddie Jones, well, I publicly supported that [decision] and a lot of people did support it … and it didn’t work out; well it didn’t work out.”

McLennan also warned that rugby is facing a “Super League-style” takeover if the organisation capitulates to the state unions.

McLennan called for the rugby community to “stand up” to the “bullies” who refuse to embrace RA’s plans to centralise the code as it seeks to reclaim its status as a rugby powerhouse as the code’s biggest sponsor Cadbury has come out strongly in support of the game’s current leadership.

McLennan has so far survived two RA board meetings, convened without him, with the board members choosing not to pressure the under-siege businessman to resign.

Cadbury, via it’s president Darren O’Brien, has publicly backed McLennan and his board.

O’Brien pointedly asked the states’ powerbrokers to “rise above self interest”.

“I have enjoyed a very good working relationship the Chairman, the Board and CEO of Rugby Australia and I continue to support their vision, their appreciation of the need for some key reforms and the centralisation road map,” O’Brien told The Australian.

“As a brand that supports and is involved in several major sports, I know from experience sponsors want long term partnerships, they like stability, they want the public focus to be on the game, the team and plan for on-field success. They also want their brand values to be closely aligned with the values of the organisations they partner with.”

“I sincerely hope that all the state rugby unions and their Chairs, take a holistic position on any future changes, rise above self interest and only seek to act in the real interests of what is best for Australian rugby and not just their individual states or themselves.”

The six states on Friday, led by Clark, delivered McLennan and the RA board a letter which demanded the chairman resign by 5pm on Saturday.

The RA board has since asked the states for a 24 hour extension but McLennan told The Australian he will not step down by the new deadline of 5pm on Sunday.

McLennan has refused to take a backward step and doubled down on the states “stupid actions” and warned those “not to let the fox in the henhouse” and said the disruption caused by the states letter could prime rugby for a “Super League-style” breakaway.

“Don’t let the fox in the henhouse,” McLennan said.

“A not so stealth takeover by the Brumbies and the Reds and three minor states who don’t even field professional rugby teams.”

“ACT chair Matt Nobbs and QRU chair Brett Clark talk about trust issues and don’t have the guts to front the Waratahs or Rebels.”

“Their stupid actions are priming rugby for a super league style breakaway”

“The RA board should stand firm against the bullies.”

“Three Super Clubs are voting for me while two are against reform. All the money comes from the professional game.”

With McLennan not budging, the six member unions are expected to request an extraordinary general meeting of RA to pass a resolution to remove him.

Queensland Rugby Union, ACT Rugby, RugbyWA, South Australia and Tasmania and the Northern Territory are all signatories to the letter.

While Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest and Nicola Forrest, as well as Olympic boss John Coates, made statements on Saturday backing McLennan’s leadership, Queensland are driving a campaign for the “arrogant” McLennan to quit.

Smaller rugby states including South Australia were signatories to the letter.

“We’ve been looking at placing Rugby World Cup ‘27 games into South Australia in a historic move, Premier Malinauskas is a great operator and should step in with SA Rugby,” McLennan said. “That’s what you get for giving Adelaide a Springbok Test last year and an ANZAC game during the Lions”.

McLennan slammed the constitutional make up of the game.

“The entire game needs a new constitution and a complete overhaul to a centralised, unified model,” McLennan said.

“Here’s the absurdity of the RA Constitution; Andrew and Nicola Forrest, who are one of Australia’s greatest and nicest families, put more than $50m into the Western Force, and they have the same vote as Tasmania, who can’t field a professional team. The Forrests give $5m to Western Australian grassroots rugby and the WA Chairman doesn’t have the courtesy to inform them he’s voting against them. Here’s another fun fact, NSW is the largest rugby playing state and NT, SA and Tasmania in combination, from next year could have more votes than NSW”.

“The rugby community must stand up to the attempted coup from the ACT and Queensland.

“Those states want to control NSW, Victorian and West Australian rugby.”

“Let’s also remember the ACT government doesn’t even want to bid for Rugby World Cup ‘27 matches and Queensland have submitted one of the weakest bids”.