The decision won’t please some sections – O’Neill isn’t everybody’s cup of tea.
But he is mine.
In half-a-centuty of dealing with top sporting administrators around the world, I rate John O’Neill number one.
Second would be Tim Caldwell, the chairman of the Australian Cricket Board from 1972 to 1975 – and third John Quayle, the NSWRL general manager from 1983 to 1996 – with current CEO David Gallop, closing.
O’Neill can be hard-nosed, and abrasive, but Australian rugby needs a no-holds-barred administrator to keep interstate jealousies at bay.
Those jealousies crippled the code for decades – especially Queensland v NSW – until O’Neill arrived on the scene from the State Bank, in 1996.
That was an immediate culture shock for some territorial egos.
O’Neill didn’t take any prisoners from day one, and rugby flourished.
He overseered the switch to professionalism, and set about making rugby a marketable code – no longer an amateur sport, with amateur thinking.
If O’Neill’s made one mistake in his spectacular career, it was not stopping club rugby from turning professional – he had the power to do it.
Clubs are the grassroots to Waratah, Reds, and Wallaby, selection – but the vast majority of clubs are broke, or close to it.
It’s never too late, as I emailed O’Neill some weeks ago.
Once current contracts run out, return the club competitions to amateur status where players pay to play – train Tuesday, and Thursday nights – and play on Saturday afternoon.
Then the clubs will survive, and the vital grassroots of rugby grow.
Having given O’Neill his one cross – his ticks are many.
* He lifted the image of rugby to number four on the Australian sporting scene.
* Crowds flocked to the Sydney Football Stadium, Suncorp, and Bruce Stadium to watch the Waratahs, Reds, and Brumbies.
* Leading into the 2003 Rugby World Cup, New Zealand got “cute” as co-host, so O’Neill sold the IRB the idea of Australia becoming sole host – and won.
* That 2003 RWC is still rated the best of the six so far – with O’Neill the pivot.
* And the ARU banked a profit in excess of $30 million.
But the winds of change started to flow through the ARU, so typical of rugby.
O’Neill was the shining light, which translated to “he must go” – and he did in 2004.
Frank Lowy, the patient patriarch of Australian soccer, grabbed the opportunity, and O’Neill was appointed the CEO of Soccer Australia.
Even though O’Neill was a dyed-in-the-wool rugby man, as is every ex-pupil of St Josephs College at Hunters Hill in Sydney – a rugby stronghold – his admin skills lifted soccer to great heights.
* O’Neill launched the successful bid for the Socceroos to qualify for the World Cup, for the first time since 1974.
* He negotiated Australian soccer out of Oceania, into the far bigger, and more productive, Asian group.
* And kick-started the A-League, that was dying on the vine.
Lowy was devastated when O’Neill wanted out.
But rugby was still very much in O’Neill’s veins, and during his soccer sojourn, rugby fell from fourth, to ninth, on the Australian sporting scene.
So did the interest fade, and the standard.
O’Neill had the answer, by signing the first foreign Wallaby coach Robbie Deans – that took courage – a commodity never lacking in the O’Neill psyche.
It took nearly three years before the Deans way kicked in – not Deans’ fault, the Wallabies were slow learners – eventually beating the Boks for the first time on the high veldt in 47 years, and the All Blacks for the first time in 11 meetings.
The caviare – the last 30 minutes of the international against reigning Six-Nations champions France, at the Stade de France, on November 27, last year.
Down 13-16, the Wallabies played champagne rugby to run in six answered tries in a 46-point blitz, to romp home 59-16.
Sensational rugby.
So the highly-productive John O’Neill-Robbie Deans partnership will be on-going, now O’Neill has extended his ARU contract.
Australian rugby hasn’t looked so strong since the Rod Macqueen era from 1997 to 2001.
The proof will be regaining the Bledisloe Cup this year, ending a nine-year drought – and winning a record third RWC.
It doesn’t get any better than that, and John O’Neill will have played a major role in the renaissance.
Nothing new in that, he’s done it with sport, from the moment he left the State Bank.
Coxinator
Roar Rookie
Submitted an article Sheek telling of my first-hand experiences with local rugby. It may be a bit lengthy for Zac and Spiro though. There's so much about Oz rugby administration that is poor, even as an Under-11 I remember seeing club 'legends' dipping their hands in the till! Look out for it.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
Champion a sports administrator and write a vapid article about him?
sheek
Guest
Coxinator, If you have first hand experience of club rugby, you should definitely share it.
sheek
Guest
Bush, I'm not suggesting for one moment that O'Neill is the guru, or only guy who could run Australian rugby. But on balance I think he's done a terrific job in a viper's nest. You simply can't control everything on your watch. Not all the wrongs can be laid at O"Neill's feet. You can't deny that rugby has really struggled over a whole range of fronts these past 6-7 years. They're not all O'Neill's fault. In any case, if you guys can put forward the names of anyone who could do the job better - seriously - then I'm open to arguments for & against.
GavinH
Guest
pretty interesting debate really. Even most of his supporters recognise he is a 'bully boy' but are willing to lose a few friends in order to be successful.
Coxinator
Guest
JON probably is a good administrator with a true passion for rugby, but definitely the neglect of grassroots rugby has cost us more than David mentions. When the buckets of cash rolled in it all seemed to go to the elite level as they tried to stave of the attempts of Super League to buy our best talents. Maybe I should write an article on this as being a former club player watching the progression I've got plenty to say on the topic!
Darwin Stubbie
Guest
.. and also the handling of the Lote sacking wasn't stella from memory
The Bush
Roar Guru
sheek, In response to your respones! 1) We'll have to agree to disagree. You're right that he is not the only reason Super Rugby does not have a sponser. You're correct that rugby union right now in Australia is not a 'product' that has the sponsers lining up around the corner. However that doesn't mean, as I said, that the buck doesn't stop with JON. This point particuarly interests me because, if I recall correctly, you have been critical of the current younger generation for being soft, requiring constant reassurance, not taking responsibility etc, all the things that previous generations weren't (I apologise if I'm thinking of someone elses recent comments). JON is the CEO of the ARU, all failings that aren't the responsibilty of Robbie Deans (the Wallabies on field performance), are his and his staff. Someone is responsible and without further information that is JON. 2) I'm not sure how the "mafia's", as you have put it, that control Brisbane and Sydney Premier Rugby are/aren't responsible for keeping the ARU in the black. My own club gets next to nothing in handouts from the ARU and QRU and we are one of the "captains" of this "mafia" (Easts - Brisbane). I'm unfamiliar with how it works down south, and I know that Sydney clubs especially canabalised the ARC from the start, but that, for me, is unrelated to maximizing profits for the ARU. 3) We're in agreement, hurrah! 4) Perhaps this needs subpoints? 4(a) http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/oneill-threatens-sanzar-breakup/story-e6frg7mo-1225700365245 - Rocky's "handshake" deal with JON to return; "Elsom was released early from his ARU contract last year to join Leinster, but was under no obligation to return. O'Neill said he had reached a handshake agreement with Elsom last month in London. "I'm confident Rocky will be back playing in Australia," O'Neill said. "He's going to be back in Australia for the Baa Baas (against the Wallabies on June 6) and I'm confident he'll be staying in Australia thereafter." 4(b) The whole Quade Cooper saga, which commenced with the pathetic offer put in front of him by the ARU (I can't find a link at the moment); 4(c) http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/aru-drops-ball-as-foreign-clubs-raid-wallabies-20110122-1a0iw.html - The recent spate of 're-signings'. How does a professional organisation get "caught over summer" and nearly lose the guts of the team. Sure so far it's worked out okay and we've resigned everyone that matters, but it could have been a lot worse...
Darwin Stubbie
Guest
Don't worry BennO - it's certainly not your input here .. other factors seem to be at play - as you can see from my first post on this blog there's nothing incendiary in it (in fact I note others have also made mention of the point) ….. there’s a policy in place – which I’m happy to accede to – but you'd hope it was administered on a level playing field, but from where I sit it's definitely not … the evidence above seems clear enough on moderation I’ve made mention in the past that the administrators of this site should look to what I consider one of the better run sports blogs – that being the Guardian newspaper – if a moderator deems a post unacceptable it’s deleted totally along with any further references … it would certainly halt the ridiculous and numerous code war or xenophobic rants that often pop on this site … but currently there’s this imperfect system Anyway I’ve got bigger fish to fry at present than worrying about this .. as I said yesterday the events in Chch certainly puts things like this into perspective
sheek
Guest
Bush/BB/RR, On point one - Is O'Neill the ONLY reason Australian super rugby doesn't have a sponsor? We don't know that for sure. Might I remind you all, our game has been on the nose these past 6-7 years. Even the most brilliant administrator can't hide that fact. Maybe sponsors simply don't see any bang in rugby bucks at the moment. I love my rugby, but I'm not going to pretend the game is something it isn't at the moment. On point two - after being shafted the first time, O'Neill decided on his return (& I'm presuming this) that he wasn't going to get involved in politics with the Sydney & Brisbane premier rugby mafia. Rightly or wrongly, he concentrates on keeping the game in the black. Also, I guess having some presence (7s) in Adelaide is better than none. On point three - I ask myself this, & I don't profess to know the answer. I presume the state of Australian rugby is so parlous, the ARU can't afford to employ sufficient development & promotion officers. Perhaps too much is paid to the executive & marketing managements. On point four - I'm not aware of handshake deals. Even if they appear so, they must come with a guarantee we don't know about. I would seriously doubt handshake deals exist in the toxically suspicious world of Australian rugby. It seems to me Bush, if you want to run Australian rugby, you need to be prepared for a quick exit. I think the only way is to "crash through" & tell all the constituents you're going to change things & this is how it's going to be done. Guaranteed to ensure you're out the door quick smart. But this is the way it must be done. Australian rugby needs to be dragged kicking & screaming into the 21st century for its own good. Those with vested interests don't intend to release their power anytime soon for the greater good.....
The Bush
Guest
sheek, JON certainly did a great number of things in his first stint that helped Australian rugby to "punch above its weight", however in the world of business and sport, I don't believe anyone is owed undying admiration for past achievements. When JON was forced out in 2003-4 I believe it was for the wrong reasons also. I'm familiar with JONs push for a 4th side and I also believe he would have produced a much better national competition, one that may have still been with us today. However times have changed and we should only be judging JON on current form so here I go:- 1) Wayne is perfectly right, deliberately or not, to suggest that Australians Super Rugby not having a sponsor is JONs fault - he's the CEO and the business buck stops with him. End of story; 2) Why does a 'company' that appears to be constantly short of money at the moment not maximize profits? For example why is the Australian leg of the Sevens in Adelaide? Are we planning a Super team there? I doubt it. So why not turn it into a true money spinner and bring it back to the heartland. 3) what is being done about the level below Test and Suoer? I don't hear of rugby being put into State Schools, or a national knock out club comp being launched a la the AFL Foxtel Cup. What's the plan JON, because I don't believe those participation numbers one bit; 4) Why are players always in handshake contracts, or not signed up or discussing leaving with foreign clubs. To an outsider we always seem on the verge of the whole Wallaby side leaving. Essentially sheek I feel it's time for some fresh blood and some new ideas. The final straw for me will he when it's announced Deans has a contract extension... Before the World Cup has been played!
Ben S
Roar Guru
Pretty uninspiring article - would anybody take the time to explain to an Englishman the pros and cons of O'Neill's current reign. I'm only familiar with his occasional media outbursts.
Brendan
Guest
To David Lord. To quote you, In half a century of dealing with top sports administraters from around the world, you've mentioned sports administraters that primarily are Australia'n based or who have some form of connection with the Motherland hardly global sports. You may have noticed John O'neill took up the position of C.E.O. of the Football Federation of Australia, the old Soccer Australia was decommisioned a decade ago ,you're a decade late. John's been a magnificent front foot administrater for many years now and wish him the best.
BennO
Guest
Really? I guess I haven't seen all of DS' posts but that wasn't my intention in responding to him/her.
Frank O'Keeffe
Guest
I love The Australian newspaper for rugby union journalism... but Smith is wrong.
Frank O'Keeffe
Guest
David, John O'Neill indeed has tremendous credentials unlike any other sports administrator I've heard of. And an endorsement such as yours certainly cements him in my mind as a tremendous asset to Australian rugby. I found it interesting that you think O'Neill had the power to turn club rugby professional. It sounds like a bit of a blue to Australian rugby, the impact of which Aussies are still feeling. Please continue to contribute to The Roar. Why doesn't David Pocock contribute anymore? Doesn't he know he's worshiped here?
Frank O'Keeffe
Guest
What he said.
Red Rooster
Guest
In the world of elite business and sport - it is entirely performance related - If he has done that well please list the KPI's that have been achieved in the face of our competitors, other sports. He may well have done well internally but the brand of rugby against its competitors, by the ARU's own measurements, has gone backwards on his watch as has the success rate of the Wallabies - Who else in a true performance environment should be responsible?
Red Rooster
Guest
What a load of Bollocks - he has been running Aussie rugby since 1995, except for 3 years, so there has been ample time for structural reform
p.Tah
Guest
I usually enjoy Smiths objective view, but he is too emotional in this piece which completely discredits it. I think he may have asked John Connolly to edit it for him. I'm guessing Smith isn't a JON fan...