John O'Neill resigns

[Hugh Jarse]

Gagger - time to change the thread title: "Reportedly" can go.

 

[RugbyFuture]

Gagger for ARU CEO?

 

[Inside Shoulder]

No need. My comments were also a little out of line. I was really just trying to balance the ledger that the relentless negativity towards JON is perhaps not completely founded.

I just feel like there is a regular theme that our current coach, CEO, and just about everything else are criticised endlessly yet there is little objective comparison to predecessors.

It would seem to me that the past is not as rosy as people remember it and the present is not as dire as people would like to suggest.

I also think that even a position as important as the CEO can only have so much influence on rugby in Australia. The ARU and the various state unions make up a fairly large number of people who have an impact on the state of rugby in Australia. The success or failure of rugby in Australia comes down to the inputs of many, rather than just the actions of the CEO or the coach.

All true: I believe the ARC was our chance to get level pegging with the AB's - maybe we couldnt have afforded it and maybe letting it go just one more year might have bankrupted the ARU.
But however many years later we're still talking about it.
The financial climate ahead does not look good for expansion of these type of things.

 

[Elfster]

Within one week of Greg "Grumbles" Growden going, JON leaves the ARU. Coincidence??? I think not. JON is probably missing all the positive and enthusiastic articles about the game that were coming from the Herald and has thrown in the towel in despair.

It just makes sense.

 

[waratahjesus]

All true: I believe the ARC was our chance to get level pegging with the AB's - maybe we couldnt have afforded it and maybe letting it go just one more year might have bankrupted the ARU.
But however many years later we're still talking about it.
The financial climate ahead does not look good for expansion of these type of things.

We get money back next year on the back of the lions tour and JON led (a much criticized til the NZRU chairman stepped in) campaign to get financial aid in world cup years. This means we don't need extra tests to create enough money to cover a loss of income every four years and means investment in grass roots and another tier can be done without fear of downgraded revenue.

 

[jollyswagman]

I haven't watched the announcement yet but I am wondering that this means for RD. What are the chances of the ARU finding RD's replacement while he is in Europe and then handing him his marching orders upon return? Or do we think that he is going to be around until the end of the Lions tour next year? Is it too much to hope for that RD will be sent packing before the end of the year?

Does anyone have any idea at all who JON's permanent replacement might be? Any rumors or rumblings?

 

[I like to watch]

We get money back next year on the back of the lions tour and JON led (a much criticized til the NZRU chairman stepped in) campaign to get financial aid in world cup years. This means we don't need extra tests to create enough money to cover a loss of income every four years and means investment in grass roots and another tier can be done without fear of downgraded revenue.

With all due respect,that is just spin.
The amounts JON says RWC cost us, do not match the additional funding that has been announced.
From memory the additional funding is about a third of the amount JON claimed the RWC cost us.
Not saying JON didn't do well to screw extra cash out of IRB, just that the impact is somewhat less than is claimed.

 

[Lance Free]

John O’Neill has done a great job during both tenures at the ARU. Sure, the first was more successful and there are some continuing issues with the second, but he’s done an effective job overall.

Some of you can whinge all you like about Deans etc and can’t see beyond your nose, but this guy was a positive for our code. Michael Hawker listed the achievements and they’re no mean feat. Compare it to the previous administration?

Good on you JO’N. I think you’re going at the right time because we do need new blood. Well done to the Board as well. When the history of the ARU is written, this guy deserves major kudos.

 

[Bowside]

If deans is going before the lions tour I think it should be done ASAP to give whoever is in charge next a fair shot at success.

I think the ARU should also give the national coaches some sort of temporary say in provincial selections so that they can get blokes playing super rugby in the position they intend to pick them in the test team. Also to rest them so they are not rooted by the time the lions tour comes. I dont think it should be a permanent or binding thing, but in this situation I reckon it is warranted.

 

[KevinO]

These will continue to hold back Oz Rugby for a while until there are two more States with the player numbers and supporter bases to rival NSW and QLD. This will be some time off.

This won't happen while the ARU allow Channel 9 to broadcast Wallabies games, how can you promote rugby in these AFL states when Channel 9 refuses to show games live into Melbourne and Perth.

The exception being the South Africian away games and the Sunday morning Puma game. The games everyone wants to watch is the All Blacks where if you don't have Foxtel channel 9 condems to 11:45pm with no pre/post match. Don't even show the anthems and Haka. So for the whole of 2012 channel 9 Melbourne has shown 160 minutes of rugby live and only 80 minutes was at a family friendly viewing time.

Who ever does take change of the ARU needs to help promote the game, this means making sure that all Wallabies games are broadcast live into these areas where growth is possible.

 

[Aussie D]

I think the ARU should also give the national coaches some sort of temporary say in provincial selections so that they can get blokes playing super rugby in the position they intend to pick them in the test team. Also to rest them so they are not rooted by the time the lions tour comes. I dont think it should be a permanent or binding thing, but in this situation I reckon it is warranted.

It's called communication and should come from the national coaching setup giving and receiving information to the provinces. The franchise coaches are earning a living and denying them the right to pick the team they want when they have a mortgage (,etc) is fraught with danger. What should be happening is the national and provincial S&C should be meeting regularly to discuss individual programs for all players and the coaches discussing areas where improvement is needed (catching and passing for e.g.). Does anyone have any idea how much time Robbie and his assistants spend with the provinces now?

 

[Froggy]

Personally, I think JON did a pretty good job for rugby on all fronts bar two, sticking to RD for too long, and ignoring grass roots. Remember, his first stint at CEO saw the best period for Australian rugby in my lifetime (I'm nearly 60) and this time he resurrected a dire financial situation and saw us get a fifth franchise.

Apart from RD, the biggest negative was that when he abandoned the ARC (which probably had to happen) he put no thought into how to replace it, and also ignored club rugby. This is the big challenge for the new CEO, whoever he may be, as a strong third tier of some description is essential for the long term survival of Aus rugby. With that, however, he must remain financially viable! Hey, no-one said it was an easy gig.

By the way, on Gary Flowers, who I knew personally many years ago, a genuinely good bloke, who had the game at heart but could have destroyed the game financially had he stayed.

 

[GaffaCHinO]

Reports from Brett harris that Vern Reid the Force CEO has quit today also...such a good day.

 

[Inside Shoulder]

These will continue to hold back Oz Rugby for a while until there are two more States with the player numbers and supporter bases to rival NSW and QLD. This will be some time off.

There are equal ratbags on both sides of the Tweed, although the ratbags will only ever admit that the problem is on the other side of the Tweed.

HJ I think the boat has sailed on the rest of Australia.
Channel 9 looking very shaky opens some issues between league and union but colonising the aerial ping pongers is unlikely.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

To have a real democracy, you really need to go to a 75% majority vote scenario, (3 out of 4 states) because a third (kingmaker) state would be detrimental to both QLD and NSW and the only beneficiary would be the kingmakers.

 

[Lance Free]

Jim Carmichael from the Reds? Maybe a bit early for him but he certainly has some runs on the board.

 

[I like to watch]

Personally, I think JON did a pretty good job for rugby on all fronts bar two, sticking to RD for too long, and ignoring grass roots. Remember, his first stint at CEO saw the best period for Australian rugby in my lifetime (I'm nearly 60) and this time he resurrected a dire financial situation and saw us get a fifth franchise.

Apart from RD, the biggest negative was that when he abandoned the ARC (which probably had to happen) he put no thought into how to replace it, and also ignored club rugby. This is the big challenge for the new CEO, whoever he may be, as a strong third tier of some description is essential for the long term survival of Aus rugby. With that, however, he must remain financially viable! Hey, no-one said it was an easy gig.

By the way, on Gary Flowers, who I knew personally many years ago, a genuinely good bloke, who had the game at heart but could have destroyed the game financially had he stayed.

That is a myth.
Revenues have GONE DOWN by over $10M pa during 'JONs 2nd stint.
Net Worth of the company also reduced by 25% in his term.
Perception does not always equal reality.

 

[daz]

If deans is going before the lions tour I think it should be done ASAP to give whoever is in charge next a fair shot at success.

Poisoned chalice at the moment. Whoever the next coach is likely to be, they do not want a potential Lions series loss to drown them at the starting point of their tenure.

We have RD until post-Lions.

EDIT: Additionally, no coach worth anything will sign up to an unstable organisation. I assume Link et al will want to know what they are walking into before they accept any ARU role.

 

[fatprop]

That is a myth.
Revenues have GONE DOWN by over $10M pa during 'JONs 2nd stint.
Net Worth of the company also reduced by 25% in his term.
Perception does not always equal reality.

Yep, revenue is down, just how can he or anyone get it up? All there is is sponsorship (which is drying up for all sports) and ticket sales.

 

[I like to watch]

Yep, revenue is down, just how can he or anyone get it up? All there is is sponsorship (which is drying up for all sports) and ticket sales.

In the same time frame the AB's have increased their revenue and improved their net worth.
I'm not saying it's not a tough job, nor am I saying he is hopeless.
I was responding to a view that he saved the joint upon his return.
The facts show that he did not.
Edit: Just had a quick look at SA Rugby, appears they have increased their revenues significantly during JON's 2nd term and preserved their net worth.
So we were definitely the worst financial performer in the Tri nations in this period.