Former chief operating officer Rob Clarke has been appointed Rugby Australia interim CEO following Raelene Castle’s resignation last month.
A former CEO of the Rebels and Brumbies, Clarke served as COO under Bill Pulver and Gary Flowers before stepping away from rugby administration in 2017, and has stepped in to fill Castle’s void on a short-term basis, although he will not put his name forward to take the role permanently after his interim term.
“I was sounded out by the chairman [Paul McLean] on my interest and availability to lead the organisation in a short-term capacity and I have accepted the role on that basis,” said Clarke.
“From my perspective, the opportunity and the timing were right, especially while things are on hold with some of my other pursuits during this current pandemic.
“I have worked with Paul McLean and other directors previously at Rugby Australia, as well as a number of the senior management staff and will be able to commence the role immediately and hit the ground running, which is what is needed at this time.
“The game is facing some unprecedented challenges and like all rugby supporters and people working within the game, I want to see Australian rugby get through this and emerge on the other side with greater certainty and a positive outlook.
“That is a challenge that I am very willing to take on and that’s what the focus will be over the next few months while the Board conducts its search for a permanent CEO. I will not be entering the process for the permanent role.”
Clarke’s appointment comes on the back of yet another number of tumultuous days at Rugby Australia, following the resignation of the man touted as McLean’s successor as chairman, Peter Wiggs. Wiggs had been pushing for current Australian Olympic Committee CEO and personal friend Matt Carroll to be immediately appointed as Rugby AU boss, only for the board to block the proposed move and insist on a proper process to appoint Castle’s replacement.
While no exact timeframe has been placed on his tenure, McLean said he believes Clarke is the right person to help rugby emerge from the current coronavirus crisis in good health.
“Rob is an extremely capable and experienced leader who has vast experience in rugby and his immediate availability has enabled us to secure his expertise for an interim period while we conduct a comprehensive search for the next CEO,” McLean said.
“Rob’s primary role will be to lead the management team and to implement the Board’s restructure plans while our work continues to get rugby back on the field at both the community and professional levels.”
Ex force fan
Guest
A merger would have meant none of the states axed. Twiggy was prepared to back a Force - Rebels merger. However the selection process was a farce as both the Rebels and Brumbies knew that RA could only legally sack one team regardless of merit.
Muglair
Roar Rookie
A bit like coaches or ASX CEOs. Limited lifespans. They need to arrive, state their agenda, achieve it, have a meaningful new agenda or leave. RC never stated her agenda, never released any info on how she was going and therefore had nothing to present in her defence. Mind you nothing was going to save Greenberg from V'landys.
Muglair
Roar Rookie
That is unreasonable Goady. Carroll has an obligation to the AOC as well. Resigning 12 months out is manageable for them. Carroll was gracious and it is unrealistic to expect him to resign from the AOC so they can get on with life, while hanging around hoping to get the RA job.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Actually that's not true. Roger Davis was supportive of Wiggs/Carroll and claimed to speak for other state unions. All other state unions then issued a statement of support of McLean since this happened.
Muglair
Roar Rookie
The state unions and RUPA seemed well appraised and supportive of Wiggs/Carroll. Equally they are showing support for McLean/Clarke too. Not much else they can do or should do at this stage. I do not read anything into Davis not coming out wildly in support, given that the day before he appeared to be speaking for the states in support of Wiggs. I think you would be right about Wiggs wanting a fair bit of autonomy, and given the situation, that is not unreasonable either. The board would need to manage that and it is not an unprecedented problem. The more I think about it JON was probably the big stumbling block. If I was a director that is starting to add up to a situation where I no longer have an influence. If that was the dealbreaker, I probably would have voted against Wiggs myself as there has to be a point where he accepts accountability rather than stacking the board in his favour.
Muglair
Roar Rookie
Or was the sticking point JON?
Muglair
Roar Rookie
The Board no longer believed that RC was the person who could do the job. If they just fell in a spineless heap because of a letter which just clearly stated that there were significant problems in RA then the lot should just resign anyway. There were two way forward which required the immediate appointment of a a new Chair and CEO (Wiggs/Carroll) or an interim model with Clarke as CEO who is happy to work with interim Chair McLean, either for the duration or in conjunction with a transition of Chair. The early annointing of McLennan may have been required to give Clarke some certainty over who he is working for if McLean leaves.
ScottD
Roar Guru
Indeed
Paulo
Roar Rookie
“Twiggy’s money wasn’t conditional on another team being axed instead of the Force from what I recall” My understanding was that a team HAD to go, and his money was contingent on the Force staying in SR. That inevitably means another team has to go. This was a SANZAAR decision not an RA one.
andrewM
Roar Rookie
You're right Paulo, Emails show that Clyne, Pulver and North had been colluding for months to save the rebels, so yes it was a done deal from that perspective. Had it been a fair and open process then no, it was still only 4pm in the afternoon. Were you aware that he and Fortescue were already major sponsors of the Force and WA community rugby? Twiggy's money wasn't conditional on another team being axed instead of the Force from what I recall
andrewM
Roar Rookie
Jeez Red, the bucket must be emptier than I thought
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Come on Geoff. More clicks in politics!
Keith (no longer) of WA
Roar Rookie
So was I... :stoked:
Geoff Parkes
Expert
I'm not talking about the board, Keith, but those on the outside.
Keith (no longer) of WA
Roar Rookie
Plan? I'm waiting to see which it is.... A series of unrelated events whose purpose become clear over time or no one's got any idea how to run the place....
Geoff Parkes
Expert
That makes perfect sense in isolation Jacko. But Raelene was only the first step in a plan. It looks out of place now because the rest of the plan has been blocked.
Geoff Parkes
Expert
Not at all Bob. I understand your frustration completely. I'd much rather be writing about rugby than the politics of rugby, too.
Micko
Roar Rookie
Yes, true. A pretty good investment: has soccer, rugby and other things apart from AFL, plus a fair few concerts.
matth
Roar Guru
Well you have to hand it to the AFL, they had an asset available to secure a loan, the others did not.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
That's why Clarke is there. To slot in and start fixing things immediately.