While the hunt begins for a new Rugby Australia chief executive, Raelene Castle is confident her resignation won’t affect the tenure of incoming Wallabies coach Dave Rennie.
Castle offered her resignation on Thursday night after being told she no longer had the support of the RA board, joining NRL boss Todd Greenberg out the door after he also stepped down this week.
Castle seemingly had no inkling of her fate, completing a television on Thursday afternoon where she talked of her commitment to the role despite mounting pressure.
It reached fever pitch this week when ten former Wallabies captains, including her possible replacement Phil Kearns, signed a letter calling for change.
(AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)
She was asked by the ABC if fellow Kiwi Rennie would continue with his appointment as Test coach if she wasn’t his boss. Before the coronavirus pandemic shut down world sport he was set to arrive Australia in June.
“I’ve got a leadership style that he supports and would like to work with,” Castle said.
“But ultimately he knows that things can change and I know he has a desperate desire to coach the Wallabies. He’s done a lot work and he’s excited about the young talent coming through.
“He will come here regardless of where I sit.”
Castle’s last year in the position was divisive, mostly due to the sacking of superstar Israel Folau and the costly legal battle that followed.
Castle stood by her decision to sack Folau after his repeated homophobic comments on social media despite it costing the financially stretched organisation millions in a legal settlement.
“I don’t think you could go through a situation like that and not look back and think there’s some things you could have done differently,” Castle told ABC.
“But we made a decision we felt was in the best interests of the sport and we stood up for our values and at the ultimate decision point we wouldn’t have made any different decision.”
Lara
Guest
I think I might apply for the job......I will clean up the place with disinfectant n throw a couple board members under a bus for good measure....I know there are some really great, great people ....ex captains, who can’t wait to open up Oz rugby to the rest of Australia.... I ready, make Oz Rugby great again.
Toehill
Roar Rookie
Err, Raelene Castle was born in Australia...
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
People make out like the type of people doing these jobs aren’t passionate. They might not career about Collaroy U6’s, but they are passionate about succeeding. And that’s all that matters.
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
Wait a minute...She was no good because she came from a Netball and Rugby League background. Not a Rugby person. I am right in saying that that was one of the arguments put? And yet the next thing I hear is that one of the front runners for CEO of RA is someone from V8 Supercars. Has anyone thought to look at the people who are successfully running some of our clubs? Now there's some rugby people with grassroots cred, many of whom are running all aspects/departments of rugby for their community, except on smaller numbers/budgets, in situations that just can't operate in the red. Will it be a genuine search by the Board of RA? Or will it be a worldwide search? We've had a couple of those in Q'ld.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I don't even think they are a tie-breaker. If we had two identically good candidates and one was Australian and the other not (or man/woman), I'd like to think the decision could be made some other way. Maybe acceptance of an incentive package that set down metrics of performance and the winner takes the lower package with more upside based on performance? Nationality really isn't relevant at all.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
My concern is that very few would want to take on this position though
Jacko
Guest
Ah everyone is buying ABs beanies these days CA. One thing you need to learn tho is that NZ are not Aussies cousins...Not even related
ClassAct
Guest
Aren’t we blessed to have you sermonising on The Roar KCOL. You’re as sanctimonious and hypocritical as our Centrelink Cuzins in their All Black Beanies.
Jacko
Guest
Ken it was never intended to upset anyone as it was just a throwaway comment but if it upsets you then I am happy to do a Lynagh and withdraw the original comment and apoligise for upseting you. Enjoy your weekend.
Jacko
Guest
You explain why we should be nice to Kearns then Charlie.......Cause I dont see any reasons for being nice to him but apparently you get it.....
Charlie Turner
Guest
You don't get it huh? No surprise there!
Jacko
Guest
Why Adsa? Its not a made up thing its stating a historical fact? Do you believe we should be nice to Kearns? I dont get it!
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Jacko, I am sorry if I made you feel less than classy. Your response here has clarified your classiness further. Of course you have every right to bring up a tragic incident in the family of any person you choose. But the moderators here may not see it that way.
Purdo
Roar Rookie
Baldy: that's two musts: it must be a HE and he must be born in Australia. I don't think either of these is a must.
Purdo
Roar Rookie
Jacko, it's not a fact that Kearns runs over children. The fact is he once ran over his own child, which was a hideous accident, and not relevant here.
Jacko
Guest
Comparing me to Classact is a low blow IMO as is trying to rubbish someone for stating 100% honest facts. Apparently its ok to stand down the Fijian who wanted to go for World rugby assistant because of his past, which I agree with, but Kearns doesnt need his past mentioned? Kearns needs to learn what will come at him because of what he has put out. He should not be protected from his mistakes as no one else is protected form him and his constant attacks on others mistakes and he is responsible for many low blows in the past. He could have chosen a far more empathetic approach but he didnt. So that opens him up to all FACTS surrounding his past, not just the good ones. He has earnt everything that he gets.
Adsa
Roar Rookie
Thank you Ken, I had to read that (Jackos) comment twice. I have pretty thick skin and could not believe anyone would write that of Kearns.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
What have I lost?
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Referencing Kearns’ accident was a an unnecessary low blow, imo. ClassAct comes on here to be obnoxious to NZers.
Realist
Guest
Give it a rest TWAS. You lost. Rugby in this country now has an opportunity to survive. The board won’t risk any sneaky moves like Clyne orchestrated last time around in the ‘worldwide search’. Time for the board to roll up their sleeves and let the recruiters table suitable candidates. There will be some good talent becoming available during the fallout of the pandemic