Gary Flowers has fallen on his sword and not before time. His tenure has coincided with a profoundly disappointing period across all levels of Australian rugby and we can only hope under the next administration the ARU can regain some of the momentum lost after the 2003 world cup. But is John O’Neil the right man again?
John O’Neil is unquestionably Australia’s premier sporting administrator. Whilst the ever present and never silent face of Eddie McGuire has escaped the bubble of the AFL states and has been for some time now well known to the northern population, O’Neil’s work on the international stage has established his credentials. The 2003 Rugby World Cup was an outright success from every view point and the ignition of interest in Australian soccer during his time with Football Australia was nothing short of remarkable.
Compared to his counterparts in the other codes he seems a professional amongst amateurs. Both rugby and then soccer, whilst under his control, seemed to be the only sports ‘on the up’ across the notoriously full Australian sporting landscape such was his presence.
Unfortunately that same presence that did so much for rugby’s image was what got up the nose of one too many of the powers that be within the rugby power broking clique. When O’Neil strode the stage, the spotlight saw only him and that irked a few supporting actors who saw themselves as bigger stars. In the thespian tradition of the Caesarean kind, knives were sharpened and backs were stabbed, leaving the once proud empire to fall into in-fighting and scandal.
But are calls to bring back O’Neil similar to the calls to reinstate Bob Dwyer which echo from Waratah heartland every time the national coaching position is vacant? Rose tinted views of the past and a desperate clutching of glory day memories often obscure rational thoughts and Dwyer’s disastrous 1995 World Cup campaign are often forgotten in favour of the ’84 grand slam and ’91 world cup triumphs.
O’Neil served Australian rugby well but has rugby moved on? Does it need to move back? What exactly did go wrong? Where were the seeds of the Wallaby demise planted? What was John O’Neil’s role in all of this?
These are questions that need debating and if O’Neil comes out with a clean slate, as the author sincerely hopes he does, then his reinstatement can only be viewed as a step forward. Jonny Wilkinson was the right man at the right time for England in 2003, but without the same pack and in a game that has moved on, his reselection, if fit, could be viewed as a step backwards for English rugby in 2007.
Bob McGregor
Guest
Ultimately most CEO positions are selected after due process by "headhunters". Prompts question: whose head will be on the chopping block next time? From my observations of successful businesses over the past 45 years, success is a by product of a very good working partnership between the CEO and the Chairman of the Board working towards set goals. Where it exists the business is worth investing in. If it doesn't - then avoid. Let's hope that the selected CEO/Chairman of the ARU gives us hope for Rugby for decades to come.
sheek
Guest
The more things change, the more they stay the same..........
Bob Thomas
Guest
Well I must admit that I had it wrong. I thought the ARU was in trouble but no! all is well over there. The new chairman, another lawyer with the same rose tinted glasses is quoted as saying - "This is a fabulous honour, and I am working with a fabulous group of people," McGrath said. "The skill sets around our board table are exceptional." He then went on with some political crap about how he didn't seek this position etc. etc. I wonder what planet this lawyer is from? he certainly has never read any of the quotes on this site or on rugby heaven or else he wouldn't have started his tenure with such a ludicrous quote. This will not buid faith in a new administration's ability to create a successful ARU. The little political people win again. We are in for more of the same I fear. Bob
sheek
Guest
A workmate recently observed - "Rugby, the game they play in heaven. That's why it's watched by dead people".
Roger
Guest
Kerry Packer ,the recently appointed marketing director of Celestial Sports TV issued the following brief media statement ; 'Rugby is no longer the game they play in Heaven .Until such time as the ARU is prepared to address the fundamentals , rugby will instead be known as, the game they play in Limbo.'
sheek
Guest
After reading Dick Marks (ex-Wallaby & national coaching director) comments in The Australian, the short answer is "no". Besides, second comings tend not to be as successful as first comings.
Bob Thomas
Guest
How interesting the whole John O'Neil thing is, will he, won't he, who is doing what to whom. It has all the hallmarks of a soapy. One thing that rides over all of this is that contrary to Burgs statement I wouldn't trust the ARU with a 'due process'. You can be assured that John O'Neil knows what will go on and after all the politics are finished we would have a camel and its entourage. The thing that is not being discussed is how to make the most of this world cup. I can't see any CEO having an impact on that preparation apart from John O'Neil. Bring him back on a 2 year fix and replace yourself contract if it makes people like Burgs feel that the precious 'due process' which is never due process is allowed to fly it's tattered flag.
Garth Hamilton
Guest
A late correction. Of course it was Alan Jones who took the '84 grand slam Wallabies to triumph, not as I mistakenly wrote, Bob Dwyer.
Burgs
Guest
Apparently not according to this article: http://www.rugbyheaven.smh.com.au/articles/2007/04/27/1177459944810.html I'll repost my rant from yesterday as this is a more appropriate thread for it to be in: Burgs said, Yesterday @ 2:42 am I am starting to get very VERY suss of this whole, apparently Sydney based, push to get John O’Neill back into the position with no form of process or accountability. http://www.rugbyheaven.smh.com.au/articles/2007/04/25/1177459789000.html http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,21621346-23217,00.html If O’Neill is such a man of impeccable business standing (which I believe him to be) then he should be the one leading the call to have due process be seen to be done. If he is so good then he will breeze through. If he doesn’t want the hassle or scrutiny of an interview process then IMHO he is most definitely not the man for the job. Let us not forget that he has been there before and has left before. Those issues need to be resolved prior to any new employment arrangement for the peace of mind of all parties. He is not the Saviour and he most certainly isn’t the ONLY CEO out there with the skills set to assist Australian Rugby to refocus. I have no agenda against O’Neill, I recall him presiding over a successful time in our sport and by all accounts he would be seen to be the front runner to return due to familiarity if nothing else. However familiarity can breed contempt as well. I will be disgusted in this Board if they make any permanent appointment to any senior position without carrying out due process.