Australian Rugby in Crisis

The following from News24:-

Almost a dozen former Wallabies captains have called on the leadership of rugby's governing body in Australia to step aside, domestic media reported on Tuesday.

The letter - reportedly signed by 11 Wallabies skippers, including greats such as Nick Farr-Jones, George Gregan and Michael Lynagh - says rugby in Australia is in crisis.

"In recent times, the Australian game has lost its way," the Australian newspaper quoted the letter as saying.

"It is a defeat inflicted not by Covid-19, or an on-field foe, but rather by poor administration and leadership over a number of years."

With Australia languishing seventh in the world rugby rankings, the game Down Under faces fierce competition from other sports and a hefty bill after firing star try-scorer Israel Folau for homophobic comments, an incident that ended with a large pay-out.

In their criticism, captains singled out the financial management of Rugby Australia, which was already struggling before the coronavirus crisis hit, and its lack of a viable long-term commercial plan.

"We speak as one voice when we say Australian rugby needs new vision, leadership and a plan for the future.

"It is with this in mind we ask the current administration to heed our call and stand aside to allow the game to be transformed so we emerge from this pandemic with a renewed sense of unity and purpose," the letter is reported to say.

The comments heap pressure on current chief executive Raelene Castle, who has faced repeated rumours that she may be axed.

Rugby Australia said it "values the opinions" of the former captains and invited them to take part in the "current process to review the rugby landscape".

"I have been in contact with a member of the group today and have offered to arrange a meeting with the full board as soon as is reasonably practicable," Rugby Australia chairperson Paul McLean, who is also a former Wallabies captain, said in a statement.

"These are respected former Wallabies captains and the board would value their input as we work through the challenges that rugby has faced over the last few years and that have been amplified by the coronavirus pandemic."

Mike I think the amazing thing to me was that the usually smart Ozzies allowed a Dumbcluck goth freak like Raylene to run their rugby, get rid of their star player and have to pay him millions in compensation for unfair dismissal when they were not doing too well financially due to Raylene's mismanagement.

They need to investigate how Raylene come to power and fire all concerned. 

Beeno of course called out this loser from nz from the beginning.  Ship her back to Nz as quickly as possible. 

Despite their forward troubles, they always manage to hold their own. Australia's problems are heavily centred on an identity crisis on the field; They don't know who they are and what traditional Wallaby rugby is. Each coach since Deans has tried and failed to bring "traditional attacking Wallaby rugby" to the table, and each hasn't delivered. They are utilising modern structures that, on paper, creates space, but in reality, eats it up. They are selecting players based on flair and x-factor with a stubborn refusal to build a team around fundamentals. Do they really need Beale at 10 or 12? How long did it take them to finally click that power at 12, and directness is an essential ingredient to generate space and momentum? We only saw glimpses of that last season. Wallaby rugby has lost its way and seems to be so embroiled in boardroom trouble and competition from other sporting codes that it probably won't ever be restored to its former glory again. Particularly as participation in more traditional rugby strongholds decreases and the balance of power shifts to Europe. 

AO you can be funny sometimes...identity crisis, hahaha you certainly should know with all your different names and identities from a Desert Fox (Rommel) to a clown like Gonzo or a sinister background okie like Alucard and Lurker.

No Australian rugby has no identity crisis per se...in another sense they might have always struggled and battled through with other forms of strong competition like League and of course that dreaded Aussie Rule plague.

Australia will be back soon and yes they should get rid of that extremely evil bitch and yes Beeno one certainly wonders how such an unsuitable and unqualified individual got into that position.

AO you are indeed a specialist in identity crisis's. Haha

You are indeed...haha...a card.

Identity crisis? My message has always been clear, consistent, well researched and supported. That is the beginning and end of that matter. What account I use, what username I have for that account, is entirely irrelevant. If you can't stand toe-to-toe with me on the discussion at hand, then you will be blown away. The first scent of blood in the water is obfuscation. I detect it all about you. 

As per Wallaby rugby? It's lost its way to such an extent that they have willfully sought to eliminate aspects of union in order to conform to league, and win over league fans. Their style has been very far removed from traditional Wallaby rugby. Care to refute that? Why not start with their base patterns under Cheika, or Deans. Or, would you prefer to bob and weave, and run away?