https://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/wallabie...5ab2aa8be1af8c8Passionate Israel Folau supporter Alan Jones has slammed Rugby Australia (RA)
for its handling of the cross code superstar’s saga and
also hit out at the governing body’s failings in a host of other areas.
Broadcaster Jones, who coached the Wallabies in the 1980s, was scathing of
RA CEO Raelene Castle and outgoing chairman Cameron Clyne
for taking the game to the brink of oblivion with a series of poor decisions.
Jones wants the current administration gone, and
highlighted nine core issues he believes show exactly
where rugby’s top decision makers have gone wrong.
These mistakes include:
SPENDING a reported $1.8 million to recruit Melbourne Storm
rugby league winger Suliasi Vunivalu to the 15-a-side game;
OVERVALUING what the sport’s broadcasting rights are worth and
threatening a loss of millions of dollars with the next TV deal;
HAVING a board nominations and appointments process
that ignores grassroots rugby and instead caters only to the elite;
HIRING New Zealander Dave Rennie as the next Wallabies coach
to take over from Michael Cheika,
despite the Kiwi’s involvement in the Chiefs’ Mad Monday controversy in 2016;
PLACING an over-reliance on New Zealand’s rugby influence
to the detriment of the development of homegrown coaches
whose opportunities are limited in Australia;
ALLOWING Director of Rugby Scott Johnson to be involved in team selection and appointing coaches
when he should instead be focused on coach and player development;
NOT ALLOWING Australians playing overseas to represent the Wallabies
unless they have played at least 60 Tests and served Down Under for seven years;
CLINGING to Super Rugby when RA should instead be focused on bringing back fans
by developing a national competition where games are played in prime time; and
NOT DOING enough to ensure the best young rugby talent is kept in the sport
rather than lost to rugby league.
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