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Wallabies great Paul McLean has replaced Cameron Clyne as chairman of the Rugby Australia board effective immediately.
Key points:
- Cameron Clyne had intended to remain chairman until the March 30 AGM, but has stood down effective immediately
- Clyne will remain on the board until the AGM
- Paul McLean played 31 Tests for Australia and takes over at a crucial time, with TV rights deals and World Cup bids pending
McLean will take over the role on an interim basis to aid in the transition of the new chair, who will be elected at the RA annual general meeting next month.
The move means McLean, 66, will have oversight at a crucial time amid the governing body's broadcast rights negotiations, collective bargaining agreement and 2027 Rugby World Cup bid.
Initially intending to stay on as chairman until the AGM on March 30, Clyne will remain on the board until that date.
"The board has collectively made the decision to make this change, with the full support of Cameron, to enable us to provide support and a comfortable transition for the new chair following the AGM," McLean said in a statement.
Clyne revealed in November he would not be seeking re-election this year, and said that negative sentiment and media coverage contributed to his decision to step down.
"Unfortunately, recently, much of the focus of the media has been directed at myself, which has overshadowed a lot of great work that has been done and continues to be done at the community level through to the national level by our volunteers, administrators, players, coaches, and match officials across the country," Clyne said at the time.
"It is hoped that with my resignation, the attention can return to where it rightfully should be, which is on the field and that this positive work will be highlighted."
McLean has served for the past eight years as a board director after an almost five-year stint as RA president from 2005-2009.
"The chair is a high-profile role and whoever is chosen and elected will benefit from having some time to build relationships and gain an understanding of all the major work happening across the rugby landscape before they step into the role," he said.
"Ultimately, there are some major pieces of work that are either nearing completion or getting underway, including the negotiations around the media rights, Rugby World Cup bid process, World Rugby positions, and a collective bargaining agreement, and we believe this change will provide added stability at a crucial time for the business."
The 31-Test former Wallaby said the nominations committee had interviewed several strong candidates for three vacant director roles, including the new chairperson.
"There has been a very high level of interest and some high-quality candidates stepping forward for each of the roles," McLean said.
'Change at the top' required to heal Australian rugby
Ross Reynolds, former Wallaby and ABC Grandstand commentator, said it was the right move for Clyne to step aside now.
"Things haven't been going well and they need to show some sign of change at the top to redirect the focus of Rugby Australia — [which is] to get the Wallaby team back winning, but also how they run the game at a club level and at Super Rugby and international level," Reynolds said.
"All those things need to be fixed to get rugby back to the popularity it desperately needs."
It's been a difficult few years for Australian rugby both on and off the field, but Reynolds thinks McLean is a good choice to move the game in the right direction.
"There was obviously decisions made there at the top that weren't the best decisions," he said.
"Particularly with Israel Folau, but also the exiting of Western Force from the Super Rugby competition. I think both those decisions weren't in the best interests of the game.
"I know Paul McLean and I think he'll do a very good job. So I think from a Rugby Australia's point of view, that's very good news.
"He's been a past president of Australian Rugby Union and did a great job. He intimately knows the game, he's a strong leader, and I think he would be a great ally and mentor for Raelene Castle."
ABC/AAP
Topics: rugby-union, sport, australia
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