'What a shame': McLennan's bitter parting shot after being ousted by Rugby Australia board

A series of late-night special board meetings resulted in embattled Rugby Australia Chairman Hamish McLennan being ousted from his role after a fight with the six state unions.

The state bodies had all voted for McLennan to step down, but McLennan stood firm and initially refused to back down.

Rugby Australia called an emergency board meeting which resulted in former Wallaby Dan Herbert being installed as the new Chair.

The Australian businessmen opted to quit entirely and will not remain as a director.

The 57-year-old had a bitter message to Rugby Australia speaking with The Australian, saying that rugby league “had won” after a “grubby” smear campaign.

“Best of luck everyone,” he told The Australian.

“What a shame. The grubby smear campaign won this battle and the big winner is the NRL.”

The state unions had sent a letter which highlighted their lack of faith in McLennan following a turbulent 2023 which saw the Wallabies finish with their worst ever World Cup campaign.

“We do not believe Mr McLennan has been acting in the best interests of our game,” the letter said.

“We no longer have any trust or faith in his leadership, or the direction in which he is taking rugby in Australia.

“Additionally, we believe Mr McLennan has been acting outside his role as a director, exerting an undue influence on the operations and executives of Rugby Australia.

McLennan’s time in charge of Rugby Australia was hallmarked by his decision to sack Dave Rennie in favour of Eddie Jones in late 2022 and a public war-of-words with rugby league.

For a brief period rugby union made national headlines as the two codes became embattled over Rugby Australia’s monster signing of Roosters young gun Joseph Suaali’i.

The coup sparked a panic in the NRL with Rugby Australia seen as a genuine threat to make more raids as Jones and McLennan ramped up their media presence.

However, things turned south for Jones and the Wallabies as the 2023 season began with five straight losses heading into the Rugby World Cup.

Experienced veterans Quade Cooper and Michael Hooper were left at home as Jones picked the youngest squad at the Rugby World Cup.

After a shock loss to Fiji in the pool stages, Australia failed to progress past the pool stage for the first time in their history.

Rumours swirled that Jones had spoken with the JRFU about returning to Japan to coach the Brave Blossoms despite having a contract in place with Rugby Australia until the end of 2027.

In late October Jones confirmed he had quit his post as head coach of the Wallabies, ending one of the worst runs in history.

McLennan’s high-risk gamble to bring back Jones ultimately backfired whilst the organisation reportedly has “cold feet” over the deal for Suaali’i with uncertainty over how it will be funded.

The NRL has also gone on the offensive with a plan to target Australian union stars with a “salary cap exemption”, with star winger Mark Nawaqanitawase having reportedly met with the Roosters about a potential switch to rugby league.