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Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan says he’s open to the idea of running to become the World Rugby vice-chairman, believing a strong voice at the table can help the game thrive Down Under.
World Rugby will confirm former Scottish Rugby powerbroker John Jeffrey as their new vice-chairman at meetings in Paris next week, taking over from Bernard Laporte, who resigned from his post earlier this year after being convicted of corruption in France, and serve through until November next year.
At that point, Jeffrey, a conservative rugby figure, is poised to take over from World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont when the former England lock steps down, leaving the vice chairman seat open.
McLennan, who has helped stabilise Rugby Australia after joining as chairman in the midst of a financial crisis and civil war, is one of a number of potential candidates to join Jeffrey as a running mate next year.
“Yes, a few people have asked me to throw my hat in the ring, it’s an intriguing thought. We’ll see if anything eventuates,” McLennan told The Sydney Morning Herald.
But he is not the only person considering a run at one of World Rugby’s most powerful positions, with rugby powerbrokers in South Africa, New Zealand and Argentina considering running.
South African Rugby president Mark Alexander is said to be a strong contender, particularly after his support of Jeffrey as vice chairman.
Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan with Wallabies coach Eddie Jones. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Former World Rugby vice-chairman Agustin Pichot, who resigned from his post after narrowly being defeated by Beaumont after challenging the incumbent in 2020, is also reportedly considering another run.
While New Zealand Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson could also consider running for the role.
“Gus or Mark might have a crack, somebody from New Zealand might have a crack, so who knows the lay of the land,” McLennan told The Herald.
“It may not be me, but I do believe the south deserves a stronger voice at the table, and we’re certainly looking to innovate around law variations and at a Super Rugby level, including how we promote the game.”
As Pichot discovered in 2020, World Rugby elections are fiercely political.
The former Argentine halfback lost out to Beaumont 28-23 for the top job and resigned.
Agustin Pichot (right) could yet run to join World Rugby’s council after losing out to current chairman Bill Beaumont (left) in 2020. Photo: Andrew Redington/Getty Images
McLennan would have to be nominated and seconded to run for election before a majority votes held by members from World Rugby’s council.
Traditionally World Rugby’s council have voted in north (the Six Nations Unions) and south (SANZAAR) blocs on all matters from World Cup host nations to the game’s laws and structures.
The north has historically voted conservatively, voting against the Nations Championship idea designed to help emerging countries as well as the 20-minute red card proposed by the south.
How South Africa’s developing ties with the north, having effectively been pushed out of Super Rugby by New Zealand following the onset of COVID-19, remains to be seen.
“I think we should be doing a draft now to create more innovation around the game and keep eligibility within Super Rugby Pacific and move different players to different clubs,” McLennan told The Roar.
“This would lead to better ratings and better broadcast performance.”
He added: “Razor’s [Scott Robertson] coming out and saying we need to look at eligibility. What we should be saying is that’s fine within Super Rugby Pacific, why couldn’t a New Zealand player come and play for us and also play for the All Blacks?
“I think that’d enhance Super Rugby, and let key Rugby Australia players do the same.
“For example, Nic White could go to an NZ team and still play for the Wallabies.”
But McLennan’s radical idea has been shot down across the ditch.
Hamish McLennan has taken an aggressive front-foot approach since joining Rugby Australia in 2020. Photo: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images
Crusaders CEO Colin Mansbridge responded to The Roar’s story on social media by asking analytics company Gain Line, where former Wallaby turned cohesion expert Ben Darwin works, “when are you going [to] do some work with RA like you do with all the NZ SR clubs?” in an apparent rebuke of the idea.
He then called Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan a “smart dude” and “good coach” after the New Zealander’s comments rejecting McLennan’s idea.
“I think we all want to see a competition where the teams go out there and every game is a battle, and I suppose you could argue over the last couple of years there’s still a little bit of a gap between the top teams and the bottom teams,” McMillan said.
“Players being shared over to Australia, I’m not sure I agree with that. And that’s a decision for people at a higher level than me.
“All I’d say is that we’ve been in the situation not too long ago, as you used to keep reminding me, where we were losing a lot of games, and we had a young squad.
“And we’ve had a really deliberate plan over the last three or four years around going through that pain and building a squad that can be really competitive and have ongoing success. I think we’re certainly trending in the right direction, and I don’t want our good work in that regard to be jeopardised by decisions like that.
“I think the Australian teams are getting better. They’ve got plenty of talent over there, they’re going to put out a great Australian side. I think they just need a little bit more time, as do the Drua and Moana.”
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.