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‘We get the impression that RA are sitting on the report’

A review into the Wallabies’ disastrous World Cup is yet to be released to the Super Rugby clubs – who are demanding a copy. But an RA source says the report will be released ‘imminently’.

Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images
Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

Super Rugby clubs as a group requested a copy of a review into the Wallabies’ disastrous World Cup campaign, but Rugby Australia are yet to release it.

Four weeks ago the Super Rugby clubs asked for a copy of the World Cup review directly in a meeting with RA chief executive Phil Waugh. An RA source on Friday said the report was set to be released “imminently” to Super Rugby clubs and other stakeholders.

In secret documents leaked to The Australian this week, the Melbourne Rebels board had doubled down on the request for the report, stating they were yet to see it.

Super clubs were frustrated they were yet to see the document despite it being completed last year, a source said.

“The Rebels are rightly saying we need to see the information – it was a ‘soup to nuts’ review on why we did so badly at the World Cup – and we get the impression RA are sitting on the report,” a Super Rugby official claimed. “There doesn’t seem to be a valid reason as to why it hasn’t been disseminated.”

Another Super Rugby source said one reason given was the RA board was yet to formally meet about the findings.

In the Melbourne Rebels’ manifesto, the board slammed RA for alleged secrecy around what was described as a 2023 World Cup budget ‘blow out’.

“(RA) failed to enable inspection of RA’s records pursuant to clause 14 of the Constitution”, the document said.

Clause 14 in the Rugby Australia constitution states a “voting Member is entitled to inspect the minute books, accounting records and other documents of the Company”.

Former captain Andrew Slack was among the three-member panel – which also included Rugby Union Players Association chief Justin Harrison and former AIS high-performance specialist Darlene Harrison – who looked into the Wallabies’ performance environment after their World Cup exit. A Pasifika adviser also supported the panel and its process.

At the time of the review’s announcement last November, Waugh said he hoped a thorough report would be delivered on the campaign.

Jac Morgan of Wales cuts through Australia’s defence during the Rugby World Cup France 2023 match. Picture: Jan Kruger/Getty Images
Jac Morgan of Wales cuts through Australia’s defence during the Rugby World Cup France 2023 match. Picture: Jan Kruger/Getty Images

“As rugby fans, we were all disappointed in the results at the World Cup – the performance was not good enough for a proud rugby nation like ours,” Waugh said in a statement last November. “Andrew, Justin and Darlene are highly respected, and I believe they possess the credentials to be able to deliver a thorough and considered external review.”

The Wallabies endured one of their least-successful years in history, winning just two of their nine games. They also missed the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time in history after losses to Wales and Fiji.

Since the Wallabies’ humiliating World Cup defeat, there have been public and private calls for change at the RA board level.

Eddie Jones resigned as Wallabies coach following Australia’s dismal showing at the World Cup. Picture: Sebastien Bozon/AFP
Eddie Jones resigned as Wallabies coach following Australia’s dismal showing at the World Cup. Picture: Sebastien Bozon/AFP

RA chair Hamish McLennan was overthrown by a Queensland-led coup after the World Cup, prompting him to say he had been the subject of a “smear” campaign. Wallabies coach Eddie Jones resigned and has since taken up a posting in Japan.

It’s been a difficult start for Australian rugby in 2024. The Melbourne Rebels went into voluntary administration last week – understood to be owing $20m, with more than $11m earmarked for the tax office.

Former Melbourne Rebels board members, who include prominent lawyer Tim North, KC, were expected to claim Rugby Australia was partly responsible for the tax bill because they were a signatory on player contracts.

Rugby Australia are in a tough financial situation. There is a potential scenario whereby the Wallabies could be owned by private equity. The brand of what was once the most beloved national team has been used as guarantee to Pacific Equity Partners for its $80m loan to Rugby Australia in November.

Jessica Halloran
Jessica HalloranChief Sports Writer

Jessica Halloran is a Walkley award-winning sports writer. She has been covering sport for two decades and has reported from Olympic Games, world swimming and athletics championships, the rugby World Cup as well as the AFL and NRL finals series. In 2017 she wrote Jelena Dokic’s biography Unbreakable which went on to become a bestseller.

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Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/rugby-union/we-get-the-impression-that-ra-are-sitting-on-the-report/news-story/38a2c4dcdc715990c0c2a5820226972b