We received this email from Roar reader Gatesy. What do you think of his idea?
‘I just had this great idea for running Australian Rugby. Why bother having a Board of Directors at all? Why not just let the journalists run it, or that bloke called ‘Everyman and his dog’. Or why not just do a whip around of the barflies at all the Rugby clubs every time we need a decision made? Because that is what seems to be happening anyway, by default.
We spend a lot of time complaining, so we get a new Board, and immediately the knives are out, the conspiracy theories are under way and people seem to forget that a Board of Directors is a small representative group, which is elected to look after the interests of the stakeholders.
The trouble with Rugby is that everyone with any barrow to push, no matter how minor, thinks they’re a stakeholder. Peter Jenkins is already accusing the ARU of dropping the ball. And it’s only Monday! How about all of us sit back, take a deep breath and let the new Board get on with it? John O’ Neill only wants the job on his terms, and who says that there isn’t someone better out there.
The domestic Test season isn’t going to be affected one bit if the new Board takes a couple of weeks to get a new person in place — the Super 14 is almost over, and nobody’s gong to save the Waratahs or the Reds in the next couple of weeks, so what’s the harm in getting a careful process in place?
I say give Peter McGrath a fair go and let his new Board at least get their feet under the table before we start bagging them’.
sheek
Guest
New ARU Chairman Peter McGrath doesn't want John O'Neill at any price. Ex-Wallaby Simon Poidevin, whose opinion I respect, wants O'Neill back & questions whether McGrath is the man for the chairmanship. Talk about a mess! I'm inclined to agree that O'Neill has had his chance. Second comings tend not to work so well, no matter how good the person. Besides, O'Neill would face too many people opposed to him, philosophically, personally, etc. No, it's time for a new direction. There are plenty of good candidates out there for CEO - Peter O'Meara, Matt Carroll, etc. My major concern with McGrath is that he doesn't bring his smaller Province (ACT) mindset & chip on the shoulder attitude to the boardroom. On the other hand, breaking the suffocating NSW-QLD rivalry isn't a bad thing. I'm willing to give McGrath a chance. He's in a good position. That is, basically the only way for him, the ARU & Australian Rugby to go, is UP!
slomo
Guest
I understand your frustration, but things are too far gone for that to work. For example, since the RWC in 2003 virtually nothing has been done to spread the code into the League schools in Western Sydney, not to mention Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide or Melbourne. It's still the same elitist, preserve of the private schools that it always was. And the jury has given its verdict on the recruitment of league players - it certainly hasn't brought a flood of league spectators to Super 14 games. A completely new approach is needed; it might be long term with no initially visible benefits, but if we're going to continue to see "The Rise and Rise of Australian Rugby", it's going to have to be done. We should forget about 2007 and plan for 2011.
Hayden
Guest
That would be great except the most of the same old cronies are still in charge. Some of them are also talking about the need for fresh blood in the playing ranks while ignoring the calls for fresh blood in the board ranks. Cosgrove and Mcall have limited experience in this field and may be very unprepared for the infighting that seems endemic in the ARU ranks. Decisions such as the slashing of the womens rugby budget (all $450,00 grand of it) and the enormous fees paid to leauge players while ignoring the development of true rugby stars and coaches (gee Campo is doing well at the moment, I wonder where David Knox is now?) should have rung a few bells a long time ago. Instead we got the continuous call of 'everything is fine', 'rugby is doing well' blah blah blah. If the ARU makes a profit next year it will be very surprising and then we will have another crisis on our hands as talent leaks to Japan and Europe.