Wallaby captains call for a rugby revolution

Eleven former Wallabies captains have co-signed a letter calling for an urgent change of leadership at the top of Rugby Australia.

Raelene Castle, top right. at a Zoom press conference announcing pay cuts for contracted players.

In a move that will shake Aust­ralian rugby, 11 former Wallabies captains have co-signed a letter calling for an urgent change of leadership at the top of the struggling code.

The letter is the fiercest condemnation of the struggling game’s administration so far, with Wallabies greats including World Cup-winning captain Nick Farr-Jones and the country’s most-capped player, George Gregan, demanding “transformation” across the game. Although it doesn’t mention her by name, it’s clear the letter is targeting Rugby Australia CEO Raelene Castle.

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

“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 is signed by captains Simon Poidevin, Michael Lynagh, Farr-Jones, Phil Kearns, Rod McCall, Jason Little, Gregan, Nathan Sharpe, Stirling Mortlock, George Smith and Stephen Moore. The letter comes just weeks after Rugby Australia recorde­d a $9.4m loss in its “un­audited” 2019 report. Rugby owes more than just the $9.4m disclosed by RA, with debts understood to amount to about $16m.

The letter was sent to Rugby Australia’s interim chairman, Paul McLean, on Tuesday.