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.”
ignas
Roar Rookie
Yes please also.
Old Bugger
Roar Rookie
RN There were no such demands placed upon NZR when SL signed up - my guess is, because SL has no expertise with running/administering rugby - their expertise is marketing and doing so, with an intent to make profits.
LBJ
Roar Rookie
Yes. Giving us a runway providing financial confidence to do deals on the master plan.
LBJ
Roar Rookie
I'd expect around 2026 / 2027. We will have full focus from RWC etc and be in financial health.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Great response and post Rugby, every point you mention is bang on! :thumbup:
Rugbynutter
Roar Rookie
Tim Yes I think fans feel RA and NZRU are not respecting what fans want from a super rugby competition for many years now and hence many fans have left in droves (certainly more so in oz) over the past decade to other codes (nrl, afl, football etc). This attitude that we don’t matter vs their other agendas seems to be not understanding how much damage they have done to growing the game and support for rugby in the region which ultimately damages the national team agenda. This lack of connections and bigger picture thinking of how important it is to deliver a super rugby product focussed on number 1 priority of delivering a product fans want to engage and watch appears to have gone missing. Perhaps reflecting we have rugby organisations run by ex rugby people than business persons who understand a more customer centric strategy for designing super rugby product and how it supports wider fan engagement. Or perhaps not adept to managing the wider rugby stakeholders and politics.
CW Moss
Roar Rookie
Evening up the SR teams is a challenge. State of Origin was an artificial construct but what a success based on rivalry and passion. In NZ you've got the Crusaders who somehow have a majority of ABs and Blues with money and poorer cousins, that must have some controversy and in OZ the steam has gone out of QLD/NSW and our champion team ACT from soulless Canberra. I think an FA Cup style comp incl Japan might work. (Christy you're doing a great job, thanks).
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
I think you're being harsh. Truth is South Africa didn't go backwards when it came to what happened on the field. Understandable off the field it was a basket case. Most Rugby Unions are.
Rugbynutter
Roar Rookie
Sums up why super rugby stuffed with the scope of tbe Arapitu review as if has an independent review taking an Asia pacific context ans what is good for the super product and fan engagement I have no doubt it would deliver better outcome for all parties including nz. As super rugby is a cross border competition so if you only take a nz view you are doomed to failure as it’s success relies on engagement of broader national bodies and fans across the region with an interest in super rugby. Shows what an amateur organisation nzru is with no idea about good governance practises. Don’t get me wrong RA also does not have strong track record there either. Which is why only can super rugby have a future if is taken out of the hands of nzru and RA and run by an independent organisation.
Rugbynutter
Roar Rookie
But Hamish has signed us up to super rugby until 2030. I wonder if private equity is behind some of this messaging. As if you’re investing in Australian rugby surely you would would be concerned with this super rugby product and demand changes as conditions for investment.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
It was about votes because that is why pichot lost. Certain unions he spoke to said they would vote for him so he didn't worry about their vote. In the meantime the other side made promises to unions to swap sides which they did. Do you agree that with the break up of SR, SA will now determine SANZAAR policy, or do you believe that Oz and NZ can still determine SANZAAR policy and that SA will still hold the line with SANZAAR.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
They are but the only thing holding it up for the professional Nations/leagues (non professional nations don't matter - see when T4-6 in European tests play) is when does the do regional competitions get played get played, and should tests be allowed to be played outside these windows. The other issue is do they keep the rule that says clubs are entitled to players in off weeks. Again only the RC teams seem to have issues with this rule as it effects them most.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Beg to differ doc . When SA first came back we were in the dark ages re training etc especially compared to Australia who were then the trendsetters . 1992 Boks were only allowed to assemble a week before a match or tour . Team was selected by a panel of selectors and the coach had no say .Even his assistants were appointed without consulting him .Basically got hammered for about 2 years . Kitch Christie was appointed by Louis Luyt just a few months before the WC to do what Luyt described as an ambulance job on the Boks . Truthfully should never have won that WC in 95. Maybe the Madiba magic really was a thing . I only found out other day out the mouth of Joel Stransky that 4 days before the final Christie had them do a brutal hill session . Despite all the hype around Kitch Christie Mark Andrews clearly disliked him and did not think much of him as a coach . A week before the semi final against France which many argue Boks lost but for a really bad refereeing decision , ( Were tmo used then the try would have stood and France would have played NZ in the final ) Christie called Andrews in and asked him a lock forward if he could play 8th man .Andrews knew he couldn’t but lied and said yes he played it in High School which he didn’t . If he didn’t lie he would have been sent home according to him. So played his first 2 matches as a nr 8 in a WC semi and final..No , the Boks were way behind the rest 92 and only by 95 starting to catch up but still behind . And it wasn’t because the knowledge wasn’t there . Guys like Professor Tim Noakes at the university of Capetown Sports Science clinic already developing an international reputation but they were shunned by SA Rugby in what I’m afraid was an arrogance that we , especially us Afrikaners know best about rugby . It took years of harsh lessons to knock that out of them .
Old Bugger
Roar Rookie
It wasn't about votes....it was about where unions aligned themselves. Obviously, money talks and BS walks.....
Old Bugger
Roar Rookie
And this means we do or we do not, have a global season?? Are WR pursuing a global calendar or not??
Old Bugger
Roar Rookie
I dunno - tell us??
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
Finally 3. If people don’t understand why Pichot lost and why no one ran against Laporte then it will end the same way. T2 nations get about 90% of the money from WR and test matches. SANZAAR don’t play any T2 nations in July but there are always T2 nations playing against 6N teams. When 6N tour T2 nations they don’t charge massive fees or demand 50% of the gate and often return the tour with a Nov test. Unions want to get their players into the 6N leagues (now home to the homeless Argentines). Pichot tried to sell his ideas, the 6N sold the deal of money and how they where going to make it. The WC in France was going to make more money so more T2 votes. Europe holds 22 votes, Oceania holds 10, Americas 10, Africa 5, Asia 4. For Pichot to win he needed every vote bar 3. With SA now joining Europe politcally, SA will politically decided what SANZAAR does at WR as their vote with Europe makes any opposition almost impossible. If the 4 T2 European votes wavier on key events then the Challange Cup is opened to European Super Cup teams but must join the 6N voting block. What can NZ, Oz, or any other person offer outside SA and 6N that they can actually deliver.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
2. Global calander doesn’t mean SANZAAR calander. 6/10 T1 and 6/14 T2 use the NH calander. Only SANZAAR uses their one. Rest of the World would happily do the NH calander as it doesn’t effect them while 75% of T1&2 players play using the NH season. Do you think if WR introduced the NH calander anyone outside of SRP would care. Europe plays to the NH calander which is nearly half of WR members.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
So much misinformation in there. 1. Italy was added to the 5Ns in 2000 so its not like they didn't add improving sides. Prior to joining the RC and excluding WCs the last time each 3N played Argentina was SA 2008 in SA, NZ 2006 in NZ, Oz 2002 in Oz. Last 3N team to play in Argentina before RC was Oz in 97 while all 6N teams were there in 2000s and played them at home every 2 years. Great SANZAR added them but who was giving them 90% of their T1 tests.
Old Bugger
Roar Rookie
And that will be when LBJ??