Olympic chief aborts his tilt at RA’s top job

AOC boss Matt Carroll on Wednesday night withdrew his interest in the Rugby Australia managing director position.

Australian Olympic Committee chief executive Matt Carroll has the support of John Coates to remain at the AOC Picture: AFP

Australian Olympic Committee chief executive Matt Carroll on Wednesday night withdrew his interest in the Rugby Australia managing director position following a text message from interim chair Paul McLean which ended his hopes of replacing Raelene Castle.

In a chaotic 24 hours for Rugby Australia, an explosive email exposed the disharmony at the top of the game culminating in a shock resignation by board member Peter Wiggs. In just two days, Carroll has gone from probable chief executive to removing himself from the running for the top job.

Carroll told The Australian he received a short text at 5pm on Wednesday night from McLean which read; “Hi Matt, we have decided to proceed with an interim (CEO) for three months so hopefully we talk again in that period. Stay well. Regards, PM”.

Carroll returned the text saying he would no longer pursue the top job at Rugby Australia. Rob Clarke will be the embattled code’s interim chief executive as the game tries to steer its way out of financial hell including $16 million worth of debt.

On Wednesday morning, McLean had phoned Carroll to see if he was “still interested” in the position, following the resignation of his friend Wiggs.

Within hours Carroll was out of the running.

“I put up my hand,” Carroll said. “I chose to do that. I know I have a lot to offer Rugby Australia. I thought the game, putting aside COVID-19, has been declining for some time because of decisions made by the board and not just the CEOs. I know I can help.

“I spoke to one of the directors in Peter Wiggs. The rest is now history.

“I tried to help but I am sorry but I could not (wait for the RA decision) in all consciousness do that to the Olympic Committee. I called John Coates and thanked him for his support. My commitment is now to the Australian Olympic Committee.

“Despite my love of rugby I would not do that to the AOC for three months. It is just wrong.”

Australian Olympic Committee president John Coates and chef de mission Ian Chesterman phoned Carroll on Wednesday night giving him their full support.

Carroll said Wiggs was a major loss from the RA board and would have made a brilliant chair.

Meanwhile, there is growing pressure on longstanding board members McLean, Pip Marlow, Hayden Rorke and John Wilson who remain as directors despite RA being $16m in debt.

The Australian on Wednesday revealed an explosive email chain which exposed the shifting sands at the top of the organisation, moves which prompted Wiggs to resign.

While McLean had confided to people on the weekend that he supported the Carroll-Wiggs ticket for CEO and chair, he took a different stance following Monday night’s heated board meeting.

In an email, McLean proposed Wiggs move aside to allow Hamish McLennan to become the chair of RA and for Carroll to still be appointed.

In the email, McLean says Wiggs’ “closeness” to Carroll “would be a concern for most Boards. So how do we apply separation?”.

McLean writes that Magellan executive McLennan — who is poised to joined the board — would be more suitable. He also proposed that Carroll and McLennan meet “immediately”.

McLean was not the only board member to shift positions. Daniel Herbert had on Monday night verbally opposed Carroll becoming CEO without “due process”.

However, in the leaked email written on Tuesday night, McLean said Herbert was happy for Carroll to get the job if McLennan was chair.

“What if we get Hamish and Matt together immediately, and if Hamish is comfortable with Matt (Carroll) 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,” McLean wrote to Wiggs.

“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 then replied to McLean saying he would resign.

“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.”

The email followed the heated board meeting where Wiggs made clear the condition on which he would take the chairmanship and that he wanted to appoint Carroll as CEO immediately.

Herbert, Wilson, Rorke and Marlow took an exception because of the lack of “due process”.