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Former Wallaby confirmed as new Rugby Australia boss

(Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images for Rugby Australia)

Former Wallabies flanker Phil Waugh has been confirmed as the new chief executive of Rugby Australia.

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The 79-Test veteran replaces Andy Marinos, who quit the post last month and finishes up next week.

Having retired in 2011, Waugh has served as a non-executive director on the RA board since 2018 while working in the banking sector.

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The 43-year-old played in two Rugby World Cups, in 2003 and 2007, and captained the side in 2006.

He will head the organisation leading into this year’s tournament in France, which starts in September.

His appointment comes after another former Australian Test star, Joe Roff, became RA president last month.

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Gary 743 days ago

I would hope that Phil has been appointed for his expertise in Business not his experience as a Wallaby. Being a banker does not give you significant experience in the business world. It helps, but it is not a panacea that gifts you good business sense. I will wait to see if Phil has the qualities that are needed to bring the ARU into the professional world of running a successful business and making a profit as well as improving rugby at the grass roots level. IMO rugby in Australia has to have a big overhaul from the club level to the Wallabies. The inequity between playing rugby and the expense that it incurs at the club level to playing league is widening each and every year. That is the biggest factor involved with the changing of the population that plays rugby, The Islander infusion is most welcome but they are not of the affluent populous that played in the 60s 70s and 80s. Rugby in Australia needs a revamp to be totally inclusive of each and all, regardless of their ability to afford to play the game. That to me is the challenge that awaits Phil.

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Phillip 743 days ago

Couldn't agree more.

And, to your point on League, I think it should be a case of trying to mirror what league have done with their junior program and not do the opposite out of sheer bloody mindedness! It's ok to admit the other guy did a better job and take lessons from their success. It happens in business and life all the time. Then, once we've pilfered their ideas we can build our own players and not have to reach across the divide and knick theirs.

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SK 25 minutes ago
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“Look, they’ve lost some good players. Len Ikitau’s had an excellent season. Tom Hooper’s been magnificent all year. So there are a couple of big players that they are losing.

“Noah Lolesio obviously has been guiding the team around for years, and he’s another one, but they’ve been able to give guys really good game time this year.

The loss of star players is a real problem. The Brumbies will have to cover those losses next season and while there is some real promising players to come through the ranks the problem is these guys are experienced and have real quality which will be difficult to replace. The Brumbies will struggle to build if they cant retain their stars. As much as I would love to say that the Brumbies can take the next step up I have some doubts. For my mind if Australian rugby is to emerge with a Super Rugby winner they need to heavily resource one team as Ireland do with Leinster. They need to load 14 or 15 internationals into a side and give them money to bring in some talented overseas stars as well. Australian Rugby needs a Super Rugby winner. It cannot keep going through this cycle of subpar Super Rugby performances in which they get 2 playoff teams and 1 semi finalist every season while never taking the next step. It needs to host a Super Rugby final again. It needs to rebuild interest in the game at home and compete with the other codes and it can only do that with wins. We thought the Aussie teams could break the mould this season and release the grip of NZ on the Super Rugby title. It was promising for a while but in the end the result was the same.

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