Zimbabwean Andy Marinos says he’s humbled by his appointment as Rugby Australia’s new chief executive after being formally announced as Raelene Castle’s long-term successor.
Marinos will officially take over from interim CEO Rob Clarke in February after serving his notice period with SANZAAR, where he has been chief executive for five years.
It’s understood the 48-year-old father of six impressed the RA board with his extensive credentials, most recently playing a pivotal role in negotiating the new broadcast deal with Nine and Stan.
Sydney-based Marinos has strong experience in Europe from his time spent working in Wales as chief executive of the Newport Gwent Dragons as well as sitting on the board of the Welsh Rugby Union.
A former professional rugby and rugby League player, Marinos played for the then-Natal Sharks, Western Province and the Stormers before moving to Newport and playing 97 times for the Dragons where he then earned Test honours for Wales.
Marinos, who also played for Canterbury in the ARL in 1996, shapes a key figure in Australia’s 2027 World Cup bid after establishing networks around the world.
His other administrative roles include being South African Rugby Union general manager for commercial and marketing as well Springboks team manager, manager of South African National Teams and SARU acting managing director and board member.
His vast experience earned him the nod over shortlisted candidates Chris White, John Eales’ manager and CEO of International Quarterback.
In taking the reins from Clarke, who didn’t apply, Marinos will follow in the footsteps of the likes of John O’Neill, widely considered one of Australia’s great sporting administrators and be charged with restoring rugby’s place in the national sporting pecking order following years of decline.
“Andy has an exciting vision for rugby in Australia, and he knows what needs to be done to continue the code’s success into 2021 and beyond,” said Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan.
“I would also like to acknowledge and thank Rob Clarke for his service in 2020.
“Rob stepped into the role on short notice and has done an incredible job in re-structuring rugby to be set up for future success.”
Marinos said he was “incredibly humbled” to be handed the top job in Australian rugby.
“Despite there being a lot of hard work ahead, I believe that Rugby Australia is uniquely placed for success both domestically and on the global stage,” he said.
“We need to hit the ground running and build momentum from the start so we can continue to move forward with deliberate intent, as we look to reignite the game from the bottom up.
“Next year has an exciting domestic and international rugby calendar so we need to be ready to maximise these opportunities.
“The game has endured substantial change over the last six to eight months and I’m optimistic and excited to be involved with Rugby Australia as it heads off in a new, positive strategic direction.”
Yup nothing ever. Ive been here 100% legally since 1985 Micko...Fully entitled to live here now and forever
Micko
Roar Rookie
Nothing ever?! Ummm being a Australian born and bred citizen Jacko! :silly: You have a privilege to live here, NOT a right (despite kiwi arrogance).
Bobbles
Guest
If Hooper is captain in 2021 Marinos is a yes man.
Micko
Roar Rookie
If you don't like the situation here Paulo, you're free to leave at anytime. Hosting such a large number of foreign citizens as permanent residents in an open border arrangement THEY pushed for, and where there is no compulsion on them to obtain citizenship SHOULD be in Australia's benefit...absolutely Paulo! :thumbup: I think the overwhelming majority of Australians are comfortable with the onus being on NZ citizens who live here having to contribute to the nation they prefer to live and work in, hence why NZ citizens were stripped of the right to directly obtain Australian welfare benefits without taking up Australian citizenship first around the year 2000 by the Howard Government. At the end of the day Paulo, you've essentially won the lottery: you get to live your life in the greatest country on earth just through the dumb luck of having been born in (or obtaining citizenship of) NZ. I've noticed despite all the complaining you do, and you and your kiwi mates' (like Jacko for one! :silly: )apparent dislike of Australians (despite the fact you want to live with us!) you hardly ever take up the option of returning to NZ, and removing yourself from this life in Australia that apparently causes so many kiwis such great anguish!! :shocked:
Micko
Roar Rookie
I can just imagine some kiwi with a complex like Jacko in charge of NZR waggling his finger and lecturing an IRB official (who's trying not to laugh) about it: "Now you lusten here, thet's not the way we do thungs un Nuzuland, you got thet sonny Jum?!" :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Sluggy
Roar Guru
So, basically she did her job regarding elite player pathways. She hired a coach. That's not some magical "achievement", that's her job. She may have started the negotiation process over broadcast rights, but that is also part of her job description. You are painting her as some sort of crucified martyr, but she got paid $800kpa to do her job. And the covid restrictions that cost NZ the RC/TN are explained in another response.
Sluggy
Roar Guru
"Of course NZ have the opportunity to stop this at any time by taking up the provision in the Australian constitution granting immediate sovereignty to the federated states of the Australian Commonwealth" Only if we all agree, and you can bet the sheep station on WA and Qld voting "no", so their mining $ isn't diverted to building infrastructure in NZ.
Sluggy
Roar Guru
Don’t forget though, Micko, that an Nzidder working here earns their superannuation component and saves it for their retirement just the same as anyone.
How did those covid restrictions vary from Aus Sluggy? What did Castle achieve? 1/ Signed up the U20s under the retention of talent program she was a big part of implimenting 2/Signed many U18s/Schoolboy reps under the same program. 3 Start the negoatiations for finally getting away from Fox...Covid stopped the resolution and then the SAANZAR boss took over on behalf of RA even tho apparently NOT EMPLOYED by RA and not even short listed or interviewed.... 4/ Hired your current coach...... 5/ Put up with horendous abuse for years as confirmed by the RA Boad director..... And much much more.... Where have you been? hiding? All this is well known so why didnt you know it?
Sluggy
Roar Guru
Jacko, you are looking for someone to blame for NZ losing the TN hosting, and seeing conspiracies that don't exist. The reason the TN was moved was because your Ms Ardern refused any adjustment to quarantine so teams could train. "“This came down to the quarantine regulations being too restrictive for the championship,” Impey told the NZ Herald." "New Zealand Rugby Players' Association boss Rob Nichol on Friday said 'Ultimately, the quarantine requirements required by the NZ Government frankly made it impossible for South Africa, Argentina and Australia to come and prepare appropriately.' " [/end of]
Sluggy
Roar Guru
He'll be telling us that JoN "stole" the RWC group from NZ in 2003 next. Nothing to do with stadium signage failures by the NZRU.
Sluggy
Roar Guru
the achievements of castle Can you remind us of what they were Jacko? I'm having trouble identifying them. Also, NZ lost the TN hosting because of its covid restrictions, not because of anything RA did.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
So you just posted a link, claiming it meant something that it took me 2 clicks to find out it didn’t. Thinking you had proved a point, where you really had only given more evidence to the lack of support for long term kiwi migrants if things go south. Well done, this lazy half-arsed attitude shows us exactly why employers prefer Kiwis and we are over here taking all your jobs - maybe that’s why you fullas have your panties bunched up so tight. It’s late and I have things to do and you’ve shown yourself incapable of a good back and forth like Micko. Do some better research and then we can talk.
Warwick Todd
Guest
Well since I'll never need it I didn't feel the need to study the finer points. I do believe the Australian government will assist in repatriation costs if genuine hardship can be established.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Did you even read the link and look at the financial help, and then think about how this applies to our hypothetical person? It’s all about a holiday person or a short stay scenario, none of it, absolutely none of it, relates to a long term person who has been here for years and lost his job. I think you just skimmed the first page. “We cannot: • Give you money” The loan and pay back option is for a ‘real crisis’. Which our situation my feel that way to the individual, but it wouldn’t be to the embassy. Your points are getting ridiculous. Next you’ll post a link to all the homeless shelters.
Warwick Todd
Guest
https://www.govt.nz/browse/leaving-nz/emergency-help-when-youre-overseas/ Looks like if you're in a genuine crisis the NZ government will loan money. They do expect it to be paid back according to the website.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
“Failing to plan is planning to fail. Personal accountability” Agree with this part of your post. The rest is ramble - sorry. I’m not excusing or justifying the poor decisions of other people. I agree with personal accountability, but people have always made bad decisions, no matter where you’re from. But support services help people from making worse decisions when they are desperate.
Warwick Todd
Guest
Failing to plan is planning to fail. Personal accountability! Who gets Kiwi's home from Thailand, Greece or Dumbistan when the budget doesn't balance? If your Whanau can't help hit up your embassy, GoFundMe #lostmyMana or call 1800JACINDA.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
There is a point if can’t afford to go home and need that pension money to buy the ticket. (That’s not a justification). Or you don’t see NZ as home as all you family are here and have been since you were 1. And you have no family in NZ and would have no support. And your family is poor too slow can’t afford to fly you to NZ even if they were I were inclined to, which they aren’t as NZ doesn’t mean anything to them.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Damn get a grip dude. Those questions were asked. The response with guns was almost the same as Howard after Port Arthur and was widely praised. The anti-Aussie vitriol, which wasn’t as much as I think you think it was, was as predictable as it was unfounded and was from a minority. Social media can unfortunately make a minority sound louder and more prevalent than they are. I had a whole long post written, but have removed it. Out of respect for the victims in ChCh and Hannah and her family, I won’t make any more comments regarding these events. They shouldn’t be used as a discussion point in a pointless debate like this between a couple of nobodies disagreeing about something neither of us has any influence over. Happy to keep talking about why you all want to keep the 444 visa and why I’m wrong to want it removed. Let’s stick to that.