The ARU released a media statement late last night announcing that they had committed to reviewing their 2016-2020 Strategic Plan following “a meeting of key Rugby constituents in Sydney”.
Green and Gold Rugby can exclusively reveal that not only was this not a comprehensive set of constituents, but that the output of the meeting – a review of the strategic plan – had already been decided upon at a meeting of the Super Rugby CEOs a week earlier.
The ‘constituent’ meeting seems to have come as a result of the public outcry by a collection of former Wallabies which famously reached a crescendo in the week leading into the NRC Grand Final, the third Bledisloe Cup match and an historic Wallaroos test match. Hugh Cavill wrote about events in his opinion piece here.
The ARU have reported that their meeting was co-chaired by ARU Chairman, Cameron Clyne and former Wallaby, Simon Poidevin and brought together representatives “across all facets of the game including community Rugby, schools Rugby, senior club Rugby, and the professional game including administrators, players, coaches and volunteers”.
In the release Clyne was quote as saying “Today’s meeting was very constructive and the ARU has made a commitment to review its current strategic plan in light of the discussions at the meeting.
“We had a strong representation of stakeholders from across all levels of the game and some good progress was made in terms of sharing knowledge and ideas for how to best move the game forward.
Green and Gold Rugby has been provided some further information on this meeting which call to question some of the facts presented in this release.
Firstly let’s cover off the “strong representation from across all levels of the game”. GAGR understands the attendees were:
- Cameron Clyne (ARU Chairman)
- Bill Pulver (ARU CEO)
- Brett Robinson (ARU Board Member)
- ARU Senior Executives
- Brett Papworth (Wallaby 1985-1987; Eastwood Rugby Club President)
- Bob Dwyer (Wallaby Coach 1982-1983; 1988-1995; Randwick Rugby Club President)
- Simon Poidevin (Wallaby 1980-1991; Randwick Rugby Club Committee Member
- Andrew Hore (NSW Rugby CEO)
- James Godfrey (Newington College, Head of Sport)
- Richard Barker (QLD Rugby CEO)
- Roger Gould (Wallaby 1980-1987)
- Nigel Kassulke (Wallaby 1985)
So as expected Poidevin, Papworth and Dwyer are present. All strong rugby brains, former Wallabies and all involved in senior clubs in Sydney. Other than the two CEOs, the other attendees are curious. Godfrey, from the Sydney Private School Newington was seemingly there to represent the interests of schools rugby (noting he was a peripheral Waratahs squad member in the mid-90s as well).
The presence of Gould and Kassulke is, quite frankly, odd. Gould is a Wallaby legend, no doubt, playing 25 tests for the Wallabies and being a central factor in the 1984 Grand Slam win. While he played for Wests in Brisbane, as far as GAGR are aware he holds no current position in any club rugby club in Queensland. Kassulke played just two tests for the Wallabies, against Canada in 1985 when Andrew Slack was having a break from rep rugby. Similarly, a former club player in Brisbane, Kassulke is not involved in club rugby at least in Queensland.
Is this group truly a “strong representation across all levels of the game”?
As for the reported outcome of the meeting being a review of the seven month old strategic plan (remembering it was released in April this year), GAGR is of the understanding that the decision to review the plan was actually made LAST week at a meeting the ARU held with the CEOs of each of the Super Rugby teams. It would seem that it was decided, led by Poidevin, that an outcome was needed from this recent meeting and the ‘review of the strategic plan’ would be the best announceable, despite it being agreed upon by other parties a week previous.
GAGR can confirm the meeting was a surprise to rugby constituents in other states who were not involved in the discussion. A number of Brisbane clubs in particular were angered by the gathering itself, as well as the stated outcomes. Several Brisbane clubs have come out lately trying to distance themselves from the strong statements by Papworth and co., but have also confirmed their desire to work with the ARU on the future direction of the game in Australia. It is understood the ARU are meeting with all Queensland Premier Clubs early next year in Brisbane, at the time of the Australian Club Challenge – a meeting that Sydney Clubs North Sydney and Sydney University will also be invited to as they will be in Brisbane playing games at that time.
