Wallabies skippers demand leadership change at Rugby Australia

Eleven former Wallabies captains have co-signed a letter calling for the current Rugby Australia leadership to “stand aside”

George Gregan and Phil Kearns are among the captains who signed the letter

Eleven former Wallabies captains have co-signed a powerful letter calling for the current leadership of Rugby Australia to “stand aside” because they believe the game has “lost its way”.

Rugby Australia interim chair Paul McLean was on Tuesday sent the explosive statement from the Wallabies greats, who called for the “current administration” to step down to allow the game to be transformed.

The 11 captains have also asked for a “cabinet” to be formed to help resurrect the game.

The group — including World Cup winning captain Nick Farr-Jones and the most capped Wallaby George Gregan — have called for big changes from top to bottom, saying there is “no time to waste”.

“In recent times, the Australian game has lost its way. It is a defeat inflicted not by COVID-19, or an on-field foe, but rather by poor administration and leadership over a number of years,” reads the letter.

“Our rural clubs, junior clubs, subdistricts and community clubs have been let down and we firmly believe transformation is needed across the game in this country. There’s no time to waste.”

“We speak as one voice when we say Australian rugby needs new vision, leadership and a plan for the future. That plan must involve, as a priority, urgent steps to create a much-needed sustainable, commercial rugby business.”

The letter, obtained exclusively by The Australian, is signed by Wallabies greats including Gregan and Farr-Jones, Phil Kearns, Simon Poidevin, Michael Lynagh, Rod McCall, Jason Little, Nathan Sharpe, Stirling Mortlock, George Smith and Stephen Moore.

The captains’ letter comes just weeks after Rugby Australia recorded a $9.4 million loss in their “unaudited” 2019 report, while executives gave themselves a 72 per cent mark on an “internal scorecard”. Chief executive Raelene Castle is also in line to receive a $114,000 performance bonus.

Read the full letter here

The Wallabies captains have spoken privately for months about the dire state of the game, which is facing insolvency, before deciding to put their names to the letter.

They hope to revive the game for the fans in Australia and call for a collaborative approach. The captains say the game is worthy of a brighter future.

“Our schools and clubs are populated with an army of amazing mums and dads and volunteers, and players of all shapes and sizes, who must have a game run for them,” it reads.

“Our youth deserve to be inspired. They need to see a pathway and to feel a connection with the Wallaby jersey.

“It is with this in mind we ask the current administration to heed our call and stand aside to allow the game to be transformed so we emerge from this pandemic with a renewed sense of unity and purpose.

“There is only one question that needs to be answered at club level, at state level and at national level: Is this decision in the best interests of Australian rugby?

“Only when we can answer that question openly, honestly and transparently at all levels can we restore Australian rugby to greatness.”

The captains also call for:

• The release of the numerous reviews into Australian rugby and the establishment of a cabinet to implement the best recommendations from those reviews.

• The convening of a special general meeting, no later than April 30, 2020, to table the 2019 annual accounts and any other business put before that meeting.”

It is understood RA’s debts have increased to around $16m, with bills yet to be paid in full.

Law firm Herbert Smith Freehills, who acted for Rugby Australia in their long-running battle with Israel Folau, is awaiting payment of more than $1m for their services. RA also does not have a broadcast deal for next year.

It is hoping for a rescue package from World Rugby in the order of $16m. But should there be no games this year the code faces a $120m financial black hole.

Pre-COVID-19, the Wallabies were seventh in the world with declining TV ratings and crowds.

McLean, who is due to step down from the position in July, acknowledged the letter and said he had offered to arrange a meeting with the “full board”.

“These are respected former Wallabies captains and the board would value their input as we work through the challenges that rugby has faced over the last few years and that have been amplified by the coronavirus pandemic,” McLean said in a statement.

“The board is also prepared to work with the group to provide them access to the information requested in the letter.”