In a bombshell move four months out from the World Cup, Rugby Australia chief executive Andy Marinos has handed in his resignation.
The Roar can reveal the experienced administrator, who was previously the Super Rugby boss, resigned late last week. He did so after feeling the heat over the past few months as rumours swirled about his future.
Rugby Australia confirmed the news on Monday afternoon.
“We asked Andy to draw upon his impressive career experience and extensive global relationships to re-establish Rugby as a leading code in Australia – he has delivered on this and been fundamental in the turnaround of the business,” chairman Hamish McLennan said.
RA have yet to line someone up to immediately replace Marinos, but former Wallaby turned RA board member Phil Waugh is one of the leading internal candidates to take over as CEO.
Marinos said RA was in a strong position to capitalise on the so-called ‘Golden Decade’.
“The foundations have been established and the business is now well-prepared to test the market for private equity investment, making it the right time for me to move on,” he said in a statement.
“Importantly, I will leave with the knowledge that RA is in a stronger position than when I joined, and proud of what has been achieved in my tenure as CEO.”
Andy Marinoshas resigned as Rugby Australia CEO four months out from the World Cup. Photo: Matt King/Getty Images
While Marinos will officially finish up in June, the timing of his departure is curious.
No administrator walks so late in a four-year World Cup cycle, particularly after crawling through mud over the past two years to get to this point.
Marinos lost considerable support after going missing in action over the New Year period.
The RA offices might have been closed over the festive period, but many balls were still up in the air when Marinos took more than a month’s break.
Indeed, RA’s high-performance review was being conducted into the Wallabies’ underwhelming year.
Although the findings have yet to be released, Dave Rennie was punted as coach and Eddie Jones sensationally parachuted in after being sacked by the Rugby Football Union in early December.
Marinos was still in South Africa when Rennie was sacked and delivered the news via Zoom.
His decision to take an extended holiday also came as RA attempts to nut out a new contracting model stalled. It led to multiple contracts being kicked further down the road in a World Cup year.
The governing body was also working hard to put the final touches together for their private equity bid, which shapes as one of the game’s biggest decisions this century.
Newly appointed Wallabies coach Eddie Jones (C) poses alongside Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan (L) and former CEO Andy Marinos (R) on January 31, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. Photo: Matt King/Getty Images
For months there had been rumours that a change was coming.
It’s believed Marinos had told some rugby figures, including player agents, that next year’s issues wouldn’t be his because he wouldn’t be in his current position.
His decision to part ways with RA comes just days after McLennan tipped his hat at the leadership that had seen RA go from a $27 million deficit to an $8.2m surplus in the space of three years.
“Look, a landmark day for us today,” McLennan said at last Wednesday’s annual general meeting.
“We made a surplus of 8.2 million, so I think you all know where we were a few years ago, where we lost close to $27 million through the horrible COVID-19 pandemic. All the credit should go to Andy and the management team for really turning the business around.
“We’ve got a lot of challenges ahead of us. But with the World Cup coming up this year, the golden decade, Eddie Jones arriving, there’s also a lot to look forward to. At least now we’ve got the whole organisation on a firm footing and sponsors are coming in and we’re delighted with our relationship with our broadcast partners. It’s very positive for us.
“Again, I’d like to thank Andy and the management team for the great work they’ve done.”
Rugby Australia Board Director and Classic Wallaby Phil Waugh is a strong internal option to take over as CEO while Todd Greenburg is another option. Photo: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images
Marinos is the second RA CEO to “resign” in three years, after Rob Clarke temporarily held the role following Raelene Castle’s decision to step away in April, 2020.
The former international centre was appointed after previously being SANZAAR CEO.
While Super Rugby fell apart under his watch, in part because of COVID-19, he hardly left with his stocks high.
But should RA prosper from its golden decade, history could well look down on him favourably.
Indeed, he was a steady hand when RA needed one. Too steady in some ways, with sections within the governing body believing decisive action is the only way for the game to once again thrive.
While Waugh is the favourite, Todd Greenberg has been floated as a possible candidate.
Kylie Rogers, who is the Executive General Manager Customer and Commercial at AFL, also previously worked with McLennan at Channel 10 and is well respected.
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
Potentially Scott, 6-weeks is a heck of a stint off. I'd take a week and be happy.
Censored Often
Roar Rookie
David Gallop, daylight second. If RA can afford him....
TC
Roar Rookie
I was thinking the same thing!
ScottD
Roar Guru
He wouldn't be the worst choice
ScottD
Roar Guru
How much time off did he have in the previous 18 months when he was turning RA finances around and how much time off was he likely to get in the next 12 months with a RWC looming. It seems like a really sensible decision to take Christmas and January off just like many many Australians do.
ScottD
Roar Guru
Maybe he thought having brought RA back from the brink of disaster and it being Christmas and all , that a holiday with his family was deserved? Just a thought.
ScottD
Roar Guru
deleted
Megeng
Roar Rookie
Mossman North Queensland? Or Mosman, Sydney.
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
He sees his kids once or twice a year.
Chivas
Roar Rookie
Is he as fragile as Tim?
Chivas
Roar Rookie
I will contribute how I see fit, not how you see fit and you are 100% correct that is up to me. I surely don’t need your advice. But for interests sake here are a couple of points which seem to have sailed over your head… 1. I was not even talking to you but as usual you decide to come on with a baseless rant, try contributing in a constructive manner then you may earn some respect. I responded saying I am not looking for your or anyone else’s respect, a direct response to your point, which you sem to have been offended by. I also noted how you seem to think it is ok for you to respond to others, but have a problem with others when they respond to you (unless you deem it ok?). Consequently I think that is evidence of someone who takes themselves way too seriously, which I also stated and you no doubt also took umbridge at. 2. you like to respond to readers by creating controversy.. that is your view which you are entitled to, but what that has to do with anything I am not sure. It seems you think I ought to behave and communicate in a way that you find acceptable. You may or may not have noticed Brett, Christy and others all are capable of firing back sharp shots, but they don’t engage in butt hurt diatribe like you seem to do. You don’t take a leaf out of their book, but seem to expect others to take a leaf out of yours. 3. And you took my post out of context as normal, you like to respond to readers by creating controversy. I didn’t take your point out of context anymore than you did the person you were responding to. As I explained the guy just said he was a good centre, no-one was saying anything about it meaning he is a good administrator, CEO, husband or anything else… you decided to add your thought bubble to that. I just wondered why as I thought you were making a senseless point. Same thing as good players don’t make great coaches e.g. Buck… so what? This is me again responding to a point you made. 4. Do not play the moral high ground What moral high ground do you think I am seeking. THis is ONLY in yur head, but making up stuff to suit your narrative is what you are left with when you don’t or can’t actually respond to any points made. You could argue that I haven’t made any points worth responding to.. That is fine then take your own advice and don’t respond, but apparently that advice is just for others and doesn’t apply to you. Again a response from someone who in my view is weak and takes themselves too seriously. 5. Do not respond SIMPLE! Or is that not simple enough for you? …unlike you I try to provide a balanced view but obviously that goes over your head… you are not capable or interested in a proper and mature debate… you decide to come on with a baseless rant, try contributing in a constructive manner then you may earn some respect…. read my post properly before going on a rant… And all these are clear examples of you not engaging in personal insults. Are you really so lacking in self awareness, you don’t see your own hypocrisy? 6. You even admit that you were looking for a wind up response, which tells me that you are not capable or interested in a proper and mature debate. one minute you are saying this and then the next this You pick and choose when to provide a decent post and then resort back to attacking others who do not agree with your view or opinion. Do you not see how you contradict yourself in the same post. And this is you providing a balanced well considered mature view and contributing positively… I am genuinely sorry, but I am not the least bit interested in living up to your rules of how I should engage or what I should say on a public forum and nor am I the least bit interested in earning your respect. You can now have the last word, as I have said all I wish to you at this point in time. Take care and safe travels.. and that last is meant sincerely.
Simoc
Roar Rookie
Good ol Hambones! Took Channel 10 to the bottom after they were doing great in sport. Now the circus clown at Rugby Australia taking RA down. Huge ego and brown-nosed his way to each job. They don't come any worse than this one. Thankfully he'll be forgotten history in a couple of years time.
KTinHK
Roar Pro
Would prefer to see a proven administrator replace him rather than another ex-player. Being an ex-player does not make you a good coach… or administrator. Get someone with a proven record for the job description : Greenberg not Waugh. Choosing ex-players for these important administrative roles is like jobs for the boys.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Personal insults are your only come back, how surprising not! Easy thing for you is not to respond to any of my comments, but you cannot help your ultra ego by having to respond by insulting someone. Do not respond SIMPLE! Or is that not simple enough for you? I do not seek respect as it is up to others if they do or not, unlike you I try to provide a balanced view but obviously that goes over your head. You pick and choose when to provide a decent post and then resort back to attacking others who do not agree with your view or opinion. You even admit that you were looking for a wind up response, which tells me that you are not capable or interested in a proper and mature debate. Are you even interested in contributing positively on the Roar? I will leave that up to you.
sheek
Roar Guru
Nah, I have better folk to converse with...
The Crow Flies Backwards
Roar Rookie
Played lower grades at Sydney Uni in the 80's.
Lomax
Roar Rookie
Joining the dots… suspect this move is an early pivot for Aus rugby to go it alone. Possibly aligned to an upcoming PE deal. Mc has often spoken about the benefits of an Aussie national comp and maybe moving early to break away from kiwis and super rugby - a comp which is clearly in decline. Marinos probably pushing super rugby in a different direction to his chairman. Suspect Waugh is a sympathiser/supporter of the chairman’s vision. Watch this space…
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
My brother in law played for Canterbury and he's terrible with money.
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
Plus 2027 Women’s RWC We're going to have to do a deep dive into this one and see how we can make it profitable. It looks like this is what dragged NZ's books into the red. Hopefully women start turning up to watch games by the time this rolls around.
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
They weren't doing much anyway. Never saw one in all my years down at the local club. Saw a few from Queensland Rugby, but even those guys are thin on the ground now. It wasn't like COVID came along and destroyed some amazing network and well oiled machine. It was just jobs for the mates and retired players.