Again Hamish talking about marketing 😱
Of course they wanted to sign a young league player for this reason only, they way that Hamish and Eddie speak like they seem to forget that there are 14 other players on the field.
One person cannot and will not win games in a team sport especially Rugby, NZRU tried this commercial aspect by signing Marshall and then RTS.
They did not bring in extra gate numbers or commercial benefits and ended up being flops, RA cannot afford to bring in someone for 1.6 million unless not only the player but the team perform consistently to pay off the money.
Herbert is correct about not looking at league players in the future but concentrating on Rugby talent, it has been too long that Rugby has been treated poorly by those in charge.
Herbert has already been more transparent and reinforcing what he wants for the game, I am sure that he and Waugh are already spending long days about the damage done and what is required to fix multiple issues which will be more than those on the outside are aware of.

With his well known injury and disciplinary record he would have been a long shot for the Wallabies.
France will be great for his learning development and getting his discipline right, also he will not be under the microscope like he was in Australia.
If he does improve in the vital areas then he would still be available for the RWC, so this could be a win for the player and Australian Rugby overall.
One thing is that this should not put pressure on RA as they need time to improve many areas of the game, players are returning from the Northern Hemisphere and will be positive and looking forward to seeing what Waugh and Herbert are going to do with implementing positive changes in the game.
Some are relaying their concerns about Herbert being a Queenslander and how he would be biased, it would not matter what state a chairman came from as people would have concerns.
Waugh is from NSW and no one has voiced any concerns which is great because both him and Herbert are focused on enhancing the game in all states with with no prejudice, because Rugby has been on the back foot for so long in Australia some have become negative to the point that they do not see any positives.
The same people wanted change but when it has and is further happening they now are bringing out more negative undertones, unless proven otherwise everyone should be onboard and giving their full support for those that have been appointed.
Time for division needs to stop now because for a real and successful future everyone needs to be on the same page.
What Swinton by leaving shows us is that rather than doing what Hamish was wanting by going after and spending top dollar on league players, the money could go onto retention of players without inflating the costs at the same time.

😂 😂 👍

Hello BF, you definitely made sense my friend. I fully appreciate and concur with every point that you made, we are on the same page with our thinking… 😊 👍 🏉

NZRU have given him his own business selling fish n chips outside their headquarters Cannnon… 😱

Great post Muglair, you are so right with all points.
Every year it seems the media have less class with their prejudices and woak views.

Great and honest assessment from Herbert, already he has provided more information than the previous one.
This is not about a boys club but rather about a person that took his position to try and influence his power, ex players understand the different levels involved in the game.
He is spot on about changing the flaws and implementing proper changes before focusing on the financial side of things, if nothing changes then no amount of money will change it.
Hamish was all about wasting money to try and make changes that were not ever realistic but only in his mind, Waugh and Herbert seem inline about what is required for proper changes.
This will take time after many years of damage so patience is key for everyone, the woman’s 15s game in Australia has come on with leaps and bounds just like the 7s game.
You cannot spend your money in one area while others suffer as it is about spreading your resources evenly for real growth to be achieved, Herbert has had time and experience to understand this and more.
Australians and others have called for change and now it is time to embrace it and support the newbies who have experience both as players and administrators.
A fresh change was always required with fresh ideas and genuine foresight and an affiliation with the community, with both Waugh and Herbert fronting the media you can sense their passion and enthusiasm about what is required for the good of the game.

Here’s hoping that they do Ken… 👍

Hamish talking about commercial benefits and the financial benefits since his tenure underlines his lack of awareness, as it is about the game first that needs to be the focus of attention.
He has taken Australian Rugby into the red financially, he fought with the NRL which cannot be won! He helped to strain the relationship with NZRU with multiple demands, he sacked Rennie and employed Jones plus he sacked the original CEO to have more control over the game.
If he was honest with himself and everyone else then he would see that it is not just the states that lost confidence but more importantly the supporters also, he has divided the game in Australia which is why he has lost the confidence of multiple parties involved in the game.
When he came out with multiple media press conferences that helped with him losing respect as he was showing his want for control, and anyone that went against him was literally in the firing line.
Rugby in Australia is too important not just for Australian supporters but for the game internationally, so by having two ex players in control now they know how important it is to fix the game on all levels.
Also Waugh and Herbert will respect each other and be open in discussions without egos being at play, they showed that when they played for the Wallabies the passion for the game and representing their country.
This passion will continue and they understand the importance of engaging with the public, the key is for them to gain a proper and meaningful relationship with the states.
The states need to work with each other and RA for the good of the game, trust and transparency is the key to turn this mess around.
And thank you Tony for putting this piece together, it is fully appreciated.

Fantastic write up Geoff, there is a lot to digest for Australia.
I have full respect for Harrison being the delegate for the players, my concern is that will this influence him in the review process?
Having Waugh as CEO and Herbert as chairman can only be a good thing as they were successful players and having spent time preparing for their new roles is a huge benefit. Also they will be more inclined to have a successful working relationship which is sorely needed, plus being ex players at the top of the game they know the levels required for players from junior level up.
It will be interesting to see if they can have a stable and productive relationship with the states, the states have their agendas which was highlighted with Hamish and his divisive policies dividing the states and RA to the point that something was going to give.
If Rugby in Australia is to recover from the rot a progressive and genuine relationship is required between the states themselves and RA, proper transparency is a must for all parties to insure trust which provides a positive dialogue.

When pushed the board had no choice but to act, the fact is that they should have acted before the RWC.
Hamish stating that a power struggle has brought about his demise is amusing when he was the one for so long using his power beyond his role, karma has come to bite him big time.
Rugby should be the centre of the board and chairman and money should be used to grow the sport, finances should be secondary to the sport as a proper balance is always required.
Hamish is purely a businessman and the sport is secondary for him and he has no in-depth knowledge of the game which is required for such a position.
With Herbert taking over he will put the focus on the game first and put in place a plan to make genuine changes, then the financial system will be able to be more efficient.
Herbert will need to be transparent in the media to win back the trust and faith of the supporters and shareholders, also a proper and meaningful relationship with the NZR should be a priority.
NZ will have more trust now that Hamish will no longer be making demands as it is about both unions working together for the best of the game, the winds of change are changing hopefully for the good of the game in Australia.

He’s closer in more ways than one the only true chooks… 👍

Great post and well laid out James, you are bang on! 👍

Kearns sticking up for Hamish makes sense as the chairman selected him to secure RWCs hosting rights, but Geesh! Kearns thinking that the RWC failure is the reason everyone has turned on Hamish is shortsighted.
The problems started well before the RWC, with broken promises and no transparency plus leading RA into the red financially.
The signing of Jones was under the direction of Hamish along with the sacking of Rennie, also the fighting with the NRL.
I wonder if Waugh could be in the running for chairman in the future with Kearns becoming CEO, if that was to be the case then the states will further distance themselves.
The states have their own agendas but nothing like RA, unless all parties come together for the good of the game then the mess will continue.
It is time to fix the broken bridges by leaving the egos at the door, the supporters and players deserve to have a positive future starting now and not tomorrow.

Great to see the states joining forces to get real change happening, even little Tasmania speaking out.
This is a great opportunity to get Rugby in Australia back on track and to create unity finally, hopefully a proper plan is in place?
I wonder if Waugh coming out in public wanting all levels to come together had an influence, if so then good on the board for supporting his vision.

😂 😂 Well played JD… 😁

G’day Crow, a certain Andrew Slack came to mind for me. A true great of Australian Rugby, oh the memories… 😊

Well said Don, especially in regards to Hamish having less influence and letting others like like Waugh to oversee the operational aspects of the game… 😊 👍

I totally agree with every point you made Mirt… 👍
I hope that the review will be taken without any influence from Hamish and co, and then it is made public with proper transparency…
👍

Maybe that is why he has gone quiet Ken?
Hamish would not like having to answer such a question, but then would a journalist be strong enough to ask it in the first place?

It is refreshing to see Waugh standing up for Rugby talented players over league converts, I wonder how Hamish feels about this?
If this comes to a head between Waugh and Hamish it would be interesting to see who the board will support?
Words are pointless without action to back them up, this has been too evident with Hamish and co.

For me personally as a die hard ABs supporter it was not Barnes that cost us the final, at key moments we were unable to win them.
The TMOs are the real issue in the game as too many times they look at ways to be involved which slows the game down and only confuses all involved, they should only be involved in tries and breakdowns to minimise their involvement and to let the ref have control of all other areas.
When it comes to cards the TMO should only provide the footage as evidence and the ref should determine the outcome with his decision without being influenced by the TMO, again this puts the power into the hands on field ref.
Referees are only human and will make the odd mistake which should not be condemned for it, what the TMO does is pressuring the ref and adds self doubt and this happens also with the players themselves.
Rugby League are having the same issues with the bunker system having too much influence on the game, so in the end the TMO should have minimal impact which in turn will lead to more confidence from everyone involved in the game which includes the supporters who pay WR.

Waugh and RA are undervaluing those outside of NSW, I mentioned in a previous article that it will be interesting to see what the Brumbies do! They will want transparency and trust from RA moving forward, what happens to the sides that do not meet RA in regards to their obligations and performance goals?
Do they lose out financially and top players will not be eligible for them?
A verbal agreement is like quicksand to suck you up, a written agreement is the stable ground that is required for the clubs.
The Rebels and Force should be very concerned with RA looking at dropping a team, for me RA are looking at dropping one team because of financial reasons as much as Australia struggling at SR level.
If a team was to be dropped then players should be evenly distributed with no prejudice shown, finances should happen in the same manner.
I am worried that RA will keep destroying the game with if they are allowed to take more control over the clubs, they talk about uniting the clubs? How would this happen if only one or two clubs get sugarcoated while the others are left out?
How about uniting the supporters and clubs together by implementing real and tangible solutions?
I am concerned that this will tear supporters apart further in terms of the team that they support compared to the other sides, how many more supporters will turn on the Tahs?
I want the best for all things Australian in terms of Rugby, but I feel that RA again with their agendas will continue to rip the game apart.
I hope that I am wrong!

Kiss is a great addition as coach and will bring much needed experience and enthusiasm to the Reds.
The other coaches might not have the same pedigree but will bring their own experience and nurture for all the players, especially needed after the RWC failures.
I expect improvement from the OZ sides with the coaches installing belief and trust with their players, this will spill over to the supporters.
Wether Australia has two sides in the semis or one side it is more about players and development happening over the long term, NZ teams are going through a rebuild but they know that progress will happen with the right processes in place, this is true also for Australia.

Call me cynical but this seems to be about making NSW the golden state, also it means that Hamish is secure in his position.
The statements released do not go into depth about how how the proposals will be implemented, it is more about love being shown between NSW and RA as both will have their agendas met.
What happens if a team like the Rebels struggle in regards to performance and results? Will they be punished by having less money given to them and the better players will not be sent to them?
What are the financial incentives involved for the clubs compared to RA?
On the surface the media release sounds positive between both parties, but what are the nuts and bolts that we will not know about?
My concern is that NSW will be sugarcoated while the other states with their teams will struggle even more, a key franchise to wait and see from is the Brumbies as I am sure that they are still dissecting the the whole proposal.