In a seismic moment in Australian rugby, the New South Wales Rugby Union is on the cusp of handing over the keys to Rugby Australia in a major boost to the governing body’s plans of ushering through historic reform and moving to a centralised system.
After meetings throughout the week, The Roar can reveal NSW Waratahs chief executive Paul Doorn emailed stakeholders informing them that they were on the cusp of handing over ownership to RA.
By doing so, the Waratahs will cease control of their high-performance and commercial assets.
Although the details have yet to be finalised, it’s a matter of time before the deal is finalised.
“It’s all coming together,” one source said.
“This is a seismic shift, it’s pretty major.”
The Waratahs are set to hand over the keys to their high-performance and commercial assets. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Now that the Waratahs – one of the key pillars of Australian rugby – are on board, RA is hopeful the other four Australian Super Rugby franchises will pull the trigger and follow suit. It’s not expected to occur overnight.
The Melbourne Rebels are expected to join RA’s revolution, while the Western Force are said to be aligned with their vision too.
The Queensland Reds previously held strong reservations, but it’s believed the powerful franchise, who along with the Waratahs are the only two member unions with three votes under the current federated model, philosophically agree with RA’s movement.
Although the QRU does not want to lose control of its commercial assets, something RA won’t stand in their way of, it’s believed they have bought the governing body’s push to become more aligned regarding high performance.
As it stands, the great resistors remain the ACT Brumbies who still hold great fears that if they hand over their license, the two-time Super Rugby champions will be moved away from the national capital in due time.
They also hold reservations about whether Sydney-based RA can run the “branch office in Brumbies”.
The Brumbies have always agreed with central contracting, staff and alignment of programs, but they hold great fears around the vagueness of RA’s plan to move to a centralised model.
Currently, RA is still yet to explain what model – the Irish or New Zealand – of centralisation they will follow.
Yet, the great question is for how long, especially with budgets getting tighter and the squeeze being felt across the entire landscape.
Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh (R) and chairman Hamish McLennan are attempting to usher through reform. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images for Rugby Australia)
Only the Reds, who less than a decade were being propped up by the then Australian Rugby Union, can see clear skies ahead. It comes after years of financial prudency under the leadership of David Hanham and Brett Clark, as well as their strong 2021 campaign and the ability of the QRU to draw matches to Ballymore.
The Wallabies’ struggles at this year’s World Cup, where Eddie Jones’ men are set to crash out at the pool stage for the first time, have brought the game’s struggles in Australia to a head following consecutive poor showings on the world’s biggest stage.
It’s hoped greater alignment between high-performance programs, including strength and conditioning programs, can help the national team, with the Wallabies dropping to 10th on World Rugby’s rankings.
Even the Wallabies’ 2015 runners-up finish has been put into perspective in recent weeks, with several rugby figures acknowledging they were fortunate to progress past the quarter-finals after an incorrect penalty call from Craig Joubert allowed Bernard Foley to step up and seal victory from the jaws of defeat.
As one source said: “If we got to the quarters or the semis, I don’t think we’d be in this position. It wouldn’t have happened.”
The Wallabies’ struggles at the World Cup may have helped Rugby Australia’s push to become more aligned. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Ushering through constitutional change and reform by moving to a centralised system has been the thorn in the backside of RA for years.
As recently as a decade ago, David Nucifora left his high-performance post with the ARU after his plans to reform were shot down.
Nucifora has since overseen Ireland’s rise to the top of the World Rugby rankings and several Six Nations, including two grand slams, as well as a historic series win in New Zealand last year, which has the Emerald Isle as one of this year’s World Cup favourites. He has done so by overseeing and building on their centralised model. It’s something Nucifora strongly believes RA must do to get back on track.
“I think [we’ve been] pretty forthright around the fact that we’re committed to Eddie and he probably looks at the campaign and is bitterly disappointed about his performance and the Wallabies performance,” Waugh told reporters on Monday morning.
“I think this is not so much around chopping and changing coaches as it is around actually just fixing the system. It’s pretty evident when we lose a couple of players, the depth of the player that we’re bringing through is not necessarily up to it.
“You’re not going to win World Cups or win international games if you don’t have that depth and system supporting the national team.”
Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh speaks to the media on October 02, 2023 in Saint-Etienne, France. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Waugh said that building trust between the governing body and the member unions was vital for ensuring their vision comes to fruition.
He added that RA was realistic that not every Super Rugby union would jump on board their centralisation plan from the outset.
“I don’t think you’re going to have everybody all at the same time,” he said.
“It’s about building the credibility and the trust.
“Initially it might be two or three per Rugby clubs and then, as we go forward, hopefully others come in.
“It’s as much about off-field performances as it is on-field. We certainly feel that if we can be more efficient with how we go to market on some of the commercial aspects, then it’s not just an on-field benefit, we’ll get an off-field benefit as well.
“I genuinely believe it’s actually building trust and credibility – something we haven’t necessarily instilled across the system for a long period of time.”
piru
Roar Rookie
Yeah man that's nearly 5 minutes away!
GusTee
Roar Pro
Deja Vu – The Force did this 8 or so years ago and then lost the whole bundle in what was just a slick sidestep on the part of the then ARU. I see this just as a case of Leopards and their spots …
Muglair
Roar Rookie
I loved the story in the Australian with JON having a lot to say. The biggest mistake was ignoring Nucifora in 2013? This from the guy who wound down the National Coaching Scheme in 1994 and made Marks redundant. Marks sold our coaching manuals all around the world to fund the scheme and it looks like some countries kept hold of them. I wonder if the builders of the new stadium discovered any copies in the rubble. Something to consider. If JON is dusting off his credentials I start to worry that he is the perfect guy for Hamish to sell as the reviewer. Then we all can forget about Australia ever being any good again.
Muglair
Roar Rookie
Scary isn't it? Sounds like a tax audit.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Watching BaBa’s v Quins. Whilst there were a few problems at scrum time in H1, when HJH came on things improved and he and Lambert were brilliant around the paddock. Peach was my MoM but Hanigan and Swinton were also excellent Tahs. Uru and Wilson also very good as was Daugunu and Wright
Wizz
Roar Rookie
Our best team will never come from those selected domestically..
AndyS
Roar Rookie
That is the $64M question, Clifto. All the talk is about what efficiencies and improvements they might give, but the detail is all about them taking control of all the finances, commercial agreements, licences and IP. I think it is perfectly reasonable to question why they need that level of control just to be able to help. Because once they get that control, the next question has to be what they could do with it. Not necessarily these guys, or even the next; quite possibly have all the best intentions in the world. But sooner or later, someone will come along and destruction test the terms of the agreement, bound only by what is possible (or perhaps even just arguable). That is the person that must be borne in mind when writing the agreements. Never mind what might be intended; the only thing that matters is how it might be possible to interpret the terms of the contract.
AndyS
Roar Rookie
Not just that he doesn't, but that no-one can into the future.
WEST
Roar Guru
How much do you think these guys are on? I’m pretty sure they’re not short of a Bob or two. Raelene Castle was in 800k I’m pretty sure Hamish pays himself more.. like most Aussie CEOs average wage is around 1.14M.. I’m pretty sure the board members all 9 of them get paid very well
whistleblower (retired)
Roar Rookie
I was more concerned with your assertion the money went into the pockets of RA - implying the money went to individuals. If that was intentional, be careful; if unintentional be careful.
woodart
Roar Rookie
NZ one started with the advent of pro rugby. irish one started by nucifora after he saw it work ,while at the blues. pretty much the same, all pro players are contracted to the national union. the national union only picks players for the national side ,who play in the country.
numpty
Roar Rookie
Let's not get personal, Phil was a quality player and I think he is doing what he thinks is best. But, yes I thought about this a couple of weeks ago. Most of the commentators and decision makers in Aus rugby have an existing relationship with Eddie and I think that meant they had a bit of a blind spot with him knowingly or not over the last 9 months, now some are questioning their initial positions. giteau, turinui and drew? all commentators who played under him I think. Roff and Waugh both on the board also played under him.
numpty
Roar Rookie
You're right change for the sake of change is bad. We need to id the problem and then find a solution that'll fix it. I was against change for changes sake with Eddie and Rennie because the head coach wasn't the problem, or solution. Same goes for paying overs on league players. A lack of alignment and cohesion is one of the major issues in Aus rugby as has been identified by numerous reviews now for over 10 years. One way to address that problem is centralisation. Problem --> solution. Now, should we worry that Hamish is the one driving it? Yes, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't do it or that it's a bad idea, it just means we need the right people in the right rooms to make sure he doesn't sign himself up as Kim Jong McLennan, supreme leader for eternity.
jeznez
Roar Guru
He was available Ray, that's all I'm saying.
Bio-Hack
Roar Rookie
How about selling shares to the rugby public?
Bio-Hack
Roar Rookie
Yes thats fair, as long as the club can atleast break even. I am aware of the fear the Brumbies club has, I agree its certainly valid, however, surely an agreable strategy can be put in place that the brums can leverage? The Brumbies are special to all Aussie rugby fans, not just Canberrians, we are all very appreciative and aware for the rugby smarts that was being produced however not so much anymore. I really love and appreciate, as a rugby fan, the wonderful structures Canberra rugby provides and the big units it moulds into skillful weapons. I honestly just want some uniformity and solid, well strategised, country wide policy so we can bloody well be competative again. That means compromise from everyone yeah?
AndyS
Roar Rookie
It certainly does feel a bit that way, doesn't it..."No, no, no, we definitely aren't the problem, we are definitely the solution. Trust us, we're here to help..."
Viking
Roar Rookie
From memory there was still time left on the clock if Joubert had called an accidental offside instead of the penalty offside that he actually called. Could be mistaken but that’s what I recall sitting here 8 years later…
Rugbynutter
Roar Rookie
Christy thanks for the article but I think most of us don’t understand what is the difference between nz vs Ireland centralised model.
Rugbynutter
Roar Rookie
At this point we have no choice but to try centralisation as yes David N who we did not listen to made it as success with Ireland so evidence to support its success with where Ireland are. I can after the force debacle understand super rugby clubs reluctance to hand over the keys but most are financially on the brink and have no choice. We probably should have moved to centralised model 10 years ago but yes with so little resources to work with has to be pursued given Ireland success with it. Getting to last roll of the dice moments here.