The 11 former Wallabies captains calling for the Rugby Australia administration to resign have lost a member, with Michael Lynagh withdrawing his support.
Lynagh, who played much of his international career alongside the group’s leader, Nick Farr-Jones, pulled out of the movement on Wednesday.
“This is not the way I do things and I have withdrawn from the whole thing,” Lynagh said to the Australian.
“It doesn’t mean that I don’t support the change but I had quite a few questions about what they were proposing. [Rugby Australia] now have a new chairman and three new board members. They have got to be allowed to implement change.”
With Lynagh gone, it leaves Simon Poidevin, Phil Kearns, Rod McCall, Jason Little, George Gregan, Nathan Sharpe, Stirling Mortlock, George Smith and Stephen Moore alongside Farr-Jones, with the group reportedly meeting with current players and working on a detailed plan for their future vision.
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Meanwhile, John Eales, one of the former captains who declined to sign the letter, came out in support of Rugby Australia, telling the Sydney Morning Herald “We all recognise that rugby is going through a very difficult period”.
“I did not sign the letter because I felt it better to act on concerns directly, as a group, with the chairman, as he is already enacting considerable change,” Eales continued.
“What I know is that there are good people across all levels of rugby working hard to solve complex problems. Paul McLean is at the front of making that change and renewal. Everyone wants what’s best for Australian rugby.”
Fifteen-time Wallabies captain and former Rugby AU president Tony Shaw, who wasn’t offered a chance to sign, was more forthright in his appraisal of the letter.
“I’m gobsmacked,” he told the Herald.
“Why put it in the public domain when you have a chairman, who was a captain, just like you, who’s done every job in rugby known to man – from player, captain, coach, administrator and president – and worked his butt off to work through the pandemic fallout in a short time frame.
“I’m surprised they didn’t take the option to pick up the phone and set up a meeting behind closed doors. When Paul McLean steps down as interim chairman, which is happening soon, there will have been a 50 per cent turnover on the board, they’ve got new blood, including world-class businesspeople, and the front door is always open.
Mark Loane, who also wasn’t approached to sign the letter, has also spoken out in support of McLean.
Ex force fan
Guest
Eales involvement with axing the Force should disqualify him from becoming the Chair at this time when unity is required. He would be just as divisive as Clyne in the role.
Josh
Roar Rookie
alby, look at their public comments only today after she was gone did slack come out naming her. eales, lynagh, shaw etc, either say they deal with these things in private or support mclean. the issue i have is defend castle, she is the one in most danger. instead they just defended their qld mate.
Alby
Roar Rookie
What ? Queensland mate !!! They're all old NSW players with no solutions to put forward,just a bunch of back stabbers with no spine,led by the biggest Peanut in Australian rugby in Phil Kearns.welcome to 1991 folks.Maybe they want to bring back the other Mr Negative peanut Alan Jones.pleeease !!!
Josh
Roar Rookie
Saddest thing here was none of them came out to support castle, only to back their qld mate McLean.
Alby
Roar Rookie
Anything Phil Kearns is involved in carries Zero credability.You just have to listen to his dribble in commentary to realise that.lightweight at best.
Simoc
Guest
S Moore is as slow as those other low life ex-captain signatories. They only have memories and want more free lunches and invites. A collective bunch of has-beens, great then, useless now. Just listen to them speak. They're slow and thick as. Like they've taken to many hits to the head. Now they're Fox puppets.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Would anyone be truly shocked if the ex-players were going on fan forums to sway public opinion?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I bet he'd be happy if he was appointed that way...
Hoy
Roar Guru
I think more so, he was unhappy HOW he was overlooked... he didn't get to actually meet anyone on the board, and it was done through a single meeting through a third party recruiter? If I have that accurate, I wouldn't be too happy with that either really...
Hoy
Roar Guru
*only one I have heard make a decent statement since anyway...
Hoy
Roar Guru
Stephen Moore is the only one who has had a semi intelligent response to why he signed up. I don't necessarily accept that publicly hanging everyone is the answer at all, but at least he isn't all bluff and rubbish.
Ron
Guest
How good is twiggys competition looking now. Maybe all the super rugby clubs should switch.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Haha Train, I thought you would be the one with the necessary intelligence to pick up on it
Michael Lynagh
Guest
Bobby. I didn’t sign anything. That is my whole point.
mused6
Roar Rookie
True colours of individuals being shown through this drama. As this is played out in public I hope they realise the implications of their choices. As a future CEO, would you feel comfortable having any of these guys on the board? And how does this affect the decisions of future CEOs? As long as a bunch of ex players are happy, I’m safe to make decisions? it’s 1984- big brother is now watching you!
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
Easy to say "that's not what I signed up for" after the event!
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Jeez, I hope they find someone better than Tahkearns.
K.F.T.D.
Roar Rookie
How many disciples were there?
G Len N
Roar Rookie
Greenberg, Gone Castle, Gone Watch out Gil, COVID 19 is ending careers.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
This was inevitable but do have some sympathy, she came in just after the Force culling and it’s been a downhill sled since. DeClyne has a heck of a lot to answer for but was able to escape the fire. It doesn’t matter who comes in now, hopefully not Kearns, they will make absolutely bugger all difference.