Rugby Australia chairman Paul McLean has staunchly backed departed CEO Raelene Castle, who he says copped abhorrent bullying from “faceless people” during nearly three years in the job.
Castle stepped down on Thursday night, with former Wallabies captain McLean replacing her in the “very short term” before the search for a replacement officially begins on Monday.
He described Castle as someone who would run through broken glass for the organisation and that it was the criticism most did not see that led to her decision to quit.
“Criticism is easy, being cynical is easy, but decision making is tough,” McLean said.
“She was able to do that and do that with some clarity.
“She would run through broken glass to get things done, and she has done that.”
Castle’s handling of the Israel Folau settlement and her rejection of Fox Sports’ initial broadcast deal beyond this season were a source of criticism from some quarters, while the code’s financial plight has been laid bare by the coronavirus pandemic.
(Hanna Lassen/Getty Images)
A group of 11 former Wallabies captains wrote to RA earlier this week demanding administrative change, while long-time critic Alan Jones doubled down on Friday morning.
“She knows nothing about the game,” the former Wallabies coach turned broadcaster said on 2GB.
“It’s like putting someone to become the first violinist in the Sydney Symphony Orchestra who can’t read music.”
McLean said it was not the media criticism that stung though.
“It’s the silent forces, the dark forces that upset me most,” he said.
“It’s the people who didn’t ask, didn’t know the facts or just one of those faceless people out there – that was the damaging thing from her perspective and she shared some of that with me, which I found quite abhorrent.
“(If not for the) unwarranted criticism and, in fact, bullying, I think it might have been a different scenario.”
McLean insisted most people in Castle’s position would “have thrown in the towel ages ago” but that inevitably her departure had become the clear way forward.
He dismissed the impact of the former captains’ letter, saying they could easily align with recovery efforts that were already underway.
“I’ve had numerous conversations with Nick Farr-Jones and, let’s be clear here, it’s a very small collective of (those) people who have been involved in the game of late,” McLean said.
“The significance of that group is probably the people that aren’t on the list.”
Newly installed board member Peter Wiggs, fellow director and former Wallaby Daniel Herbert, and Phil Kearns – one of the ex-captains to put their name to the letter – are among those being touted to replace Castle.
Nick
Roar Guru
Same dog, different leg. History will judge whether that second rejection was the right play. If Fox offer more to the new CEO, it was the right play even if it cost her her job.
Micko
Roar Rookie
The girl who played Cho Chang in the Harry Potter movies got death threats too apparently.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
No. Never said anything of the sort. I’m saying Deans didn’t get anywhere near the treatment of somebody who received death threats.
In brief
Guest
So are you telling us that Phil Kearns and co ( the bullies) were sending death threats to castle? Didn’t think so.. disingenuous analogy.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
In hindsight taking him on his word and re-signing him was the stuff up. But we’re all geniuses with the benefit of hindsight.
Rotgut
Roar Rookie
Jacko, how do you know that support was not offered to Ms Castle?
Rotgut
Roar Rookie
Paul, where would you suggest McLean has failed?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
The other thing that you have to consider with coaches is there were amateur era and pro era coaches. It’s a very different game.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Really? I’d argue paying fans should have a bigger voice than a coach from 3 decades ago
Double Agent
Guest
"his only reason for having a voice in Rugby is that he coached the Wallabies." So he has a way bigger reason than any of us on the Roar?
Double Agent
Guest
"Abhorrently bullied" You gotta be kiddin'.
Paul
Roar Guru
McLean has moved on from there, Rotgut and is in a position where he needs to show a different type of spine. IMO, he didn't do that and that's the basis for my comment.
Josh
Roar Rookie
Did you measure them rotgut?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
What about ASICS and Land Rover? What about the Salteri family who walked away after the first post? How many sponsors does Folau cost RA before he’s a liability?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
It’s funny when people who wanna rubbish Castle chuck their toys out of the cot when you bring up reported facts about the alternatives
Jacko
Guest
Sure rotgut...It takes massive balls to ignore when a woman CEO is being abhorrently bullied and to just ignore its happening for over 6 mths....really really big balls...What a coward thing to do...
Jacko
Guest
Rotgut you are right. I dont know Paul Mclean but I do know that he has known about abhorrent bullying in the workplace and he has only decided to call it out after Castle has gone. He has CLEARLY said he knew it was happening yet he did nothing to protect the CEO? That sounds like a successful court case right there. That shows who paul Mclean really is....Actions show the real person
Jacko
Guest
Yep if rubbishing a CEO of RA is good enough for the hateful 10 then rubbishing a wigg is good enought for anyone else...The hateful 10 have made open slather attacks on anyone at all an ok thing to do.....Ex Wallaby captains LEAD by example
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
On what? The cutting of a franchise?i doubt anybody would accuse me of silence on that?
sheek
Roar Guru
TWAS, True enough. But it doesn't make him irrelevant either. Plenty of drought-affected farmers think the world of him. You & I didn't go to the country helping out country folk, Jones did. of course, he was also in a position to do so. And it was good for his image. None of us are all good or all bad. We're 'inbetweeners', & it's important we recognise our own weaknesses.