1
Breakthrough of sorts for Rugby Australia as rumour-mill hits overdrive
By Online Editors
There has been a breakthrough in stalled talks between Rugby Australia (RA) and players regarding the COVID-19 shutdown, with the quarrelling parties to meet on Sunday as speculation swirls about the future of the governing body's CEO Raelene Castle.
There are mixed reports about just how much the RA board is currently agitating for change and whether embattled chief executive Castle could soon be sacked, with News Corp Australia suggesting former Wallabies skipper Phil Kearns is set to take her place.
WATCH: Jack Nowell of England and Exeter, takes on Adam Hastings of Glasgow Warriors and Scotland.
Castle has faced a series of challenges since her appointment in 2017, most notably the Israel Folau saga, but nothing compares to the health crisis that has halted all sport at every level in Australia.
Earlier this week, some 75 per cent of RA's non-player workforce were stood down and the governing body announced a $9.4 million loss.
RA has also been publicly butting heads with the Rugby Union Players' Association (RUPA) regarding pay cuts for player s, but there were two key developments on Saturday.
RUPA chief executive Justin Harrison released a statement in the morning welcoming the receipt of "the financial information first requested from Rugby Australia almost a month ago".
Castle and RA chairman Paul McLean then confirmed they will meet with RUPA on Sunday at 2pm, noting "we look forward to reaching a fair and reasonable agreement".
Harrison was buoyed by the prospect of "meaningful discussion", but cautioned against hopes of an speedy resolution.
"Given neither party has yet tabled any position relating to player salaries in the context of the COVID-19 crisis we need to be realistic as to the problems (still) to be solved," Harrison said.
"And the time (that is) necessary to deal with complex issues and have proper consultation with players.
"If other major codes are a guide, a week or weeks is not an unrealistic time-frame to reach a solution.
"RUPA has at all times been ready to enter proper negotiations as soon as transparent financial information was provided."
Harrison added that players are "keenly aware of the role they need to play in leading the code to a sustainable future".
Former Wallabies coach Michael Cheika was among those calling for more transparency from his former employer, while Melbourne Rebels captain Dane Haylett-Petty expressed frustration and disappointment with the stalemate.
"We care about the game as much as anyone else," the Rebels and Wallabies outside back told AAP.
"We've been left out of the loop and left out of the decision-making process to date ... hopefully that's changing.
"I felt like the AFL the very next day went straight to their players to sit down and talk about where they are at and how we're going to fix it ... (for rugby) it's been probably over a month now."
- AAP
Trending on RugbyPass
2
All Blacks player ratings vs Italy
3
South Africa player ratings | 2024 Autumn Nations Series
4
Scotland's Sione Tuipulotu admits anger at Australian rugby
5
Latest Comments
I didn't mean to sound down on Dmac. Just looking hard at the bench sub's role of providing impact. I don't think he can do that at 15, and the bench is not really about injury cover anymore (you need to maximise it's use more than that).
He's my first choice of any New Zealander for the 10 jersey with the All Blacks.
Go to commentsAgreed. And I don't have much more to say on it, but I had been having one thought that sprang to mind at the tail of this discussion, and that is that it's not all about Razor.
It's not about any coach being "right". I think a lot of selections can become defense and while it doesn't really apply here I really enjoyed that Andy Farrell just gave into the public demands and changed out his team for the change that had been asked for. Like why not? This is the countries team, keep them engaged. The whole reason i've only just finished watching the game was because I wasn't interested in watching any of the selected players against a team like Italy (still actually enjoyed the first half with the contest Italy made of it).
Faz leap frogs a younger half back into start. He hands the golden child the game over July's golden child. He gives an old winger a go, a new flanker and hooker. None of them really did any good, certainly not enough to suggest they should have been promoted above others, but who cares? You won, and you gave the country what they wanted, that's all that matters after all. It's for the country, not the one in charge who thinks they have to have their own pied piper tune playing.
Go to comments