'Why does World Rugby have some of the most exhaustive eligibility checks for those who play but apparently no checks for someone wanting to run the game?'
Dan Leo, director of Pacific Rugby Player Welfare (PRPW), has unleashed on World Rugby for not immediately dismissing the nomination of Ratu Kean to join the governing body’s executive committee.
In a letter penned on behalf of PRPW, Leo has asked ‘why does World Rugby have some of the most elaborate and exhaustive eligibility checks for those who play the game but apparently no checks for someone wanting to run the game?’
Kean, whose name was put forward by the Fiji Rugby Union and whose nomination was seconded by the Fédération Française de Rugby (FFR), was convicted of manslaughter in 2006 – but Leo explains that his crimes and conduct are far worse than initially reported.
“If the values of World Rugby really are integrity, respect, solidarity, passion and discipline, all of this – and the claim to have been building character since 1823 – will be utterly debased if Kean is elected to the Exco,” Leo says in the letter.
“You may have thought as Pacific Islanders, we would fall in line in support of Kean. But it is extraordinary to anyone involved in the game in the Pacific that Kean is even on the ballot. His time in office has become a byword for intimidation, vindictiveness, corruption and self-dealing, nepotism, and the threat and realisation of violence. This is all conducted in plain sight.”
The letter goes on to further outline the many examples of Kean’s above behaviour as well as how the convicted killer has managed to avoid any real retribution for his crimes.
“If Kean was up for elected office at any tier of the FIFA membership the violent nature of his criminal record would disqualify him automatically,” Leo says. “But it appears for the game of rugby there is no barrier to Kean.”
Leo concludes his letter with a plea to World Rugby: “I ask you to honour the memory of those in the game who came before us and to uphold those timeless values of integrity, respect, solidarity, passion and discipline that we all wish to mean something so that we can pass them on to the next generation.”
While Leo and the PRPA have always been open with their suggestions and qualms with the state of the game, the letter is a significant, immediate call-to-action aimed at World Rugby, demanding critical action.
Even if Kean’s crimes were limited to that which he has been convicted for, World Rugby should never have even considered his nomination, but it appears that the widely known information only scrapes the surface of his behaviour.
"It feels bad saying it but I think if it was a Pacific Islander making that same tackle, he would’ve been punished for it" – @AndyGoode10 gives his views on Owen Farrell controversy https://t.co/hMqhG9tIMv
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 6, 2018
The nomination also puts the Fédération Française de Rugby under the spotlight for seconding Kean’s name being put forward.
Incumbent chairman Bill Beaumont is facing off with his second-in-command, Agustin Pichot, for the head role on the council and has selected FFR’s Bernard Laporte as his running mate.
While many would have expected Fiji to side with Pichot, who has tried to bring a World Rugby Sevens Series tournament to Fiji and pushed for the island nation’s inclusion in the Rugby Championship, the Fiji Rugby Union have instead seconded Beaumont’s nomination.
The fact that the FFR have backed Kean’s inclusion on the council shows that there’s plenty of mutual backscratching taking place, which Leo hinted at in his letter.
I make no comment about why the Fédération Française de Rugby would support Kean’s nomination to Exco,” Leo said. “Or why the current chairman would allow his nomination to be seconded by the Fiji Rugby Union, which the man known in his own country as ‘Killer Kean’ runs in the manner of an executive chairman.”
World Rugby have stated that they will be investigating Kean before the May 12 vote but questions must be asked why his nomination ever made is a far as it has, given his unsuitability for the executive committee.
The full letter can be read on the Pacific Rugby Players Welfare website.
Comments on RugbyPass
South Africa rarely play Ireland and France on these tours. Mostly, England, Scotland and Wales. I wonder why
1 Go to commentsIt was a let’s-see-what-you're-made-of type of a game. The Bulls do look good when the opposition allows them to, but Munster shut them down, and they could not find a way through. Jake should be very worried about their chances in the competition.
2 Go to commentsHats off to Fabian for a very impressive journey to date. Is it as ‘uniquely unlikely’ as Rugby Pass suggests, given Anton Segner’s journey at the Blues?
1 Go to commentsSad that this was not confirmed. When administrators talk about expanding the game they evidently don’t include pathways to the top tier of rugby for teams outside of the old boys club. Rugby deserves better, and certainly Georgia does.
1 Go to commentsLions might take him on if they move on Van Rooyen but I doubt he will want to go back, might consider it a step backwards for himself. Sharks would take him on but if Plumtree goes on to win the challenge cup they will keep him on. Also sharks showing some promising signs recently. Stormers and Bulls are stable and Springboks are already filled up. Quality coach though, interesting to see where he ends up
1 Go to commentsAnd the person responsible for creating a culture of accountability is?
2 Go to commentsMore useless words from Ben Smith -Please get another team to write about. SA really dont need your input, it suck anyway.
264 Go to commentsThis disgraceful episode must result in management and coach team sackings. A new manager with worse results than previous and the coaching staff need to coached. Awful massacre led by donkeys.
1 Go to commentsInteresting article with one glaring mistake. This sentence: “And between the top four nations right now, Ireland, France, South Africa, and New Zealand…” should read: And between the top four nations right now, South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand and France…”. Get it right wistful thinkers, its not that hard.
23 Go to commentsHow did Penny get the gig anyway?
2 Go to commentsNice write up Nick and I would have agreed a week ago. However as you would know Cale & co got absolutely monstered by the Blues back row of Sotutu, Ioane and Papaliti and not all of these 3 are guaranteed a start in the Black jumper. He may need to put some kgs before stepping up, Spring tour? After the week end Joe will be a bit more restless. Will need to pick a mobile tough pack for Wales and hope England does the right thing and bashes the ABs. I like your last paragraph but I would bring Swinton, Hannigan into the 6 role and Bobby V to 8
21 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can still get in to the Play Off’s. The imminent return of outstanding captain Scott Barrett and his All Black team mate Codie Taylor will be a big boost.There are others like Tamaiti Williams too. Two home games coming up. Fellow Crusader fans get there and support these guys. I will be.
1 Go to commentsCant get more Wellington than Proctor.
2 Go to commentsWhy not let the media decide. Like how they choose the head coach. Like most of us we entrust the rugby system to choose. A rugby team includes the coaches. It's collective.
13 Go to commentsHi NIck, I have been very impressed with him and he seems a smart player who can see opportunities which Bobby V _(who must be an international 6_) doesn’t see or have the speed to take advantage of. If he continues to improve and puts on 5kgs then he could be a great 8. He is a bit taller than Keiran Reid at 1.93m and 111 kgs, so his skill set fits his body size and who knows where it will lead. I hope the spate of Achilles tendon issues have been dealt with by the S&C people. It’s been a very long time since Mark Loane and Kefu stood out at 8. The question is will we be able to hold onto him, if he does make it he will be pretty hot property. I disagree with the idea of letting them go to the Northern Hemisphere and then bring them back.
21 Go to commentsBilly Fulton 🤣🤣🤣🤣 garrrmon not even close
13 Go to commentsDoes the AI take into account refs? hahaha Seriously why not have two on field refs to avoid bias?
23 Go to commentsVern challenging this Blues side might be the edge they need to fulfill their potential. Convincing results from strong D and strong carries are hard to argue against.
1 Go to commentsLove seems to add a strong back field defense with speed to close the gap and tackle to his ability to attack, kick and pass (an accurate long pass). This sets him an edge over some of the other names - JRK in particular. Has to be said that Jordan and Stevenson have also been exposed defensively while Love has yet to face test match intensity. Spoilt for choice.
1 Go to commentsHe’s strung together a few strong seasons, I’d like to see him in the ABs and build some depth along with Reiko and ALB. Levi Aumua hasn’t taken the step we hoped to see but time yet.
2 Go to comments