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John O’Neill steps down from ARU

Brumby Jack October 12, 2012 54

No GravatarThe twittersphere was abuzz this morning with rumours that head honcho of the ARU, John O’Neill, would be stepping down from the ARU.

Those rumours can now be put to rest as it can now be confirmed that O’Neill will be standing down from his role as CEO and Managing Director as of October 31 with Deputy Chief Executive Matt Carroll to act in the role of CEO whilst a global search is undertaken for a replacement.

O’Neill was expected to stand down in 2013 but that date was brought forward with O’Neill stating that his current age combined with the workload in his other role with Echo Entertainment contributed to his decision to leave the ARU.

O’Neill won’t be lost to rugby completely and will continue in his roles as ARU delegate to the IRB and on the board of the Rugby World Cup Ltd.

O’Neill’s resignation brings to an end his second stint in charge of the ARU. His first period in charge took in some important developments in Australian rugby including the commencement of professional rugby.

In that same time Australia had a purple patch of form and held the Bledisloe Cup and also secured the World Cup in 1999.

2003 saw Australia host the World Cup which enabled the ARU to strengthen it’s finances and O’Neill then left the ARU in 2004 to take up a position with the FFA.

2007 saw O’Neill return to the ARU and one of his first pieces of business was to abandon the ARC due to the high costs involved in staging the tournament.

2008 saw what many thought was a coup when Robbie Deans was installed as Wallabies coach with the main objective of taking the Wallabies to the World Cup and bringing home the Webb Ellis cup.

In the leadup to the tournament in New Zealand, O’Neill made the decision to extend Deans’s tenure until after the British and Irish Lions tour in 2013 despite the World Cup result still to be known.

During his farewell speech O’Neill referred to some highlights during his latest time in charge including the introduction of the Melbourne Rebels into Super Rugby, the inclusion of Argentina in The Rugby Championship and the bigger say that Australia gets when the IRB meet.

There have been some rocky moments during his second time in charge – and not just dealing with Rocky Elsom either – it will be interesting to see where the ARU heads with an important period for Australian rugby coming up in the next 12 months.

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POSTED IN » Wallabies
About the author: Brumby Jack View all posts by
A Canberra born and bred Rugby tragic brought up on a diet of Canberra Kookaburra and ACT Brumbies Rugby. It was a choice between politics and Rugby, with Rugby the obvious winner.

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Discussion »

  • MyRugby Mate

    Please John, please… take Robbie with you.

  • piggy

    I don’t know if Dingo would be much good at running a casino, for starters the house would always be betting on black, never red…

    • Brumby Jack

      Robbie’s not a good gambler.

      It’s rumoured he once said ‘hit me’ when he had 21 on blackjack.

      • http://skylinesaustralia.com Christian

        Please … That just confirms that he always expects very little from people.

  • Jimmy

    Is this the leading indication that Robbie wont be taking the boys on the end of season tour?

    I can’t imagine why they would persist with him if Ewen was in the frame to take over for the Lions Tour. Surely , you would want to give Ewen some actual time with the group before next year. It wouldn’t be easy for him to jump straight into a Lions tour.

    Unless of course Robbie is staying – which seems a poor decision given how we haven’t progressed over the last 5 years under him.

    • Gus

      Ewen isn’t going anywhere (yet). He has created a new role for himself at the Reds. Something that will offer him a whole range of new challenges that he currently doesn’t have as a coach (rugby development across the state, input into the redevelopment of Ballymore, etc).

      I reckon he’ll want to see what he can do with this new role before putting his hand up for the Wallabies job.

      • johnny-boy

        Incorrect

    • Dally M

      Sadly i don’t it does.

      With Matt Carroll taking over in a caretaker capacity while they conduct a worldwide search, i can’t see him making any big calls before someone is appointed.

      I expect Robbie is safe now until at least after the Northern Hemisphere tour.

      Of course Robbie could also do the right thing and resign after the game next week…

  • johnny-boy

    Hey come on no negativity about Australian rugby. It’s sooooo tiresome.

    We are all meant to be happily tip toeing thru the tulips. Tra la la la la.

    John O’Neills 1st stint as ARU CEO was very good, but his second stint was absolutely unbelievable.

  • Macca

    Ewen has won one super title….Deans many…..what makes people think Ewen would be more successful as Wallabies coach?? Too mnay injuries this year. Next year when we get all the players available the Wallabies will be a force. Deans will prove all you knocker wrong!!!!!

    • ooaahh

      Like last year when he had a full compliment for the world cup bar Fatcat? Is that the kind of proof you mean?

      • MickeyStone

        As someone who was present at many of the wallabies world cup games last year I have to say they didn’t have it easy. The Wallabies especially the younger guys on the team (most of them) were playing in possibly one of the most hostile environments possible. I am a kiwi and I am ashamed of how the Wallabies were treated in NZ even though my blood runs black it tarnishes the reputation of rugby when crowds behave in that manner just like the lazers in Argentina, the 2011 RWC was possibly the hardest games any Wallaby that played them will ever have to endure.

        • Rihari

          Clearly you have never been to a game at Suncorp.

        • Rihari

          Clearly you have never been to a game at Suncorp. Aussie got everything Quade asked for.

        • skip

          you deserve a specific “pay that” for that comment.

    • Robson

      Clearly success as a super coach doesn’t translate to success as a national coach otherwise the Wallabies would be holding all the trophies in the cabinet now for the 3rd or 4th year in a row.

      We don’t know about Link in that role either, but what we do know about him is that he thinks through the issues involved in a different way to Deans and furthermore is able to communicate them with clariy. There is nothing clear about the way Deans communicates. Furthermore what Richie McCaw said about Deans at the Cru doesn’t make good testimonial for Robbie either.

      Yes I am one of the Deans knockers and I will desist from that role the moment someone can put together a cohherent statement that proves beyond doubt that he has been the most successful coach the Wallabies have ever had.

      Mission impossible!

      We all know he has one of the worst records of any Wallabies coach and you would need to be a master of mass hypnosis to convince most thinking rugby minds of anything other than that. And even then it would only be temporary.

      I have said this before, but I am personally deeply and unutterably disappointed in Deans record with the Wallabies.

      • BloodRed

        Ditto what Robson said

    • Red Kev

      @Macca

      What relevance do Super Rugby titles have to international success? That defence of Deans is lazy and illogical.

      Rod Macqueen had 2 years as assistant at NSW in the Super 6, 3 years as a Wallaby selector when Bob Dwyer was coach (during which time he also coached an “Australian XV” which I assume is like an ‘A’ side), 2 seasons as coach of the Brumbies (finishing 5th and 2nd) and took the Wallabies to a winning record of 79% including Tri-Nations, Bledisloe, Lions Series and Rugby World Cup.

      • Gus

        and is proved wrong simply by referring to Deans as an example.

      • Pedro

        I agree, although Deans is no mug, his super record (if looked at in context) isn’t as impressive as it seems. Inherited a champion team etc.

        I was thrilled with us getting Deans, but time has proved that perhaps he wasn’t the right guy.

    • Halleys Comet

      Macca, many folks respond to critcism of RD with his Crusaders record, a fair enough observation BUT I reckon times have a changed, especially cutting edge international rugby (All Blacks anyway) and RD hasn’t stayed on top og this game. I’m not blaming, merely observing and opining (not blaming).

    • Jimmy

      Mate you are correct – there is no proof he will be better but Deans isn’t the man for the job so I’m just hoping to move onto the next possibility sooner rather than later.

      And to be fair to Ewen – it’s not fair to drop a side in his lap, give him no time with them and say “Go win that Lions test series for us thanks”

  • KDog

    Praise the rugby Gods …maybe there is light at the end of the Tunnel..
    How about Jake White as coach… if Ewen can’t do it.

    • Alan

      Or Bob Dwyer!

      id love for him to return, he would get the wallabies back on track

  • BK

    There is a God.

  • GB

    Can we now see some action on:
    1. a 3rd Tier comp or similar
    2. releasing the ARU report into Oz Rugby
    3. genuine commitment to community rugby
    4. Commitment to developing coaches
    5. releasing Deans from his contract
    6. Ousting Nucifora and instating Link
    7.Building a team that can win back the Bledisloe.

    Not holding my breath…The ARU ship is too clumsy to turn around even if the skipper is disembarking at the port of his choice and will still be a guest passenger.

    • bill

      Is that you Wayne Smith?

  • Hawko

    The man has political skill, you have to give him that. By setting the date at Actober 31, it will make it too late to change the coach before the EOYT. That means that if Deans is to go now then the Board will have to act while he is still CEO, which I am sure he will oppose with every breath in his body.

    JON giving the rugby supporter his two finger salute.

  • Roscoe Tims

    John O’Neill has done a great job during both tenures at the ARU. Sure, the first was more successful and there are some continuing issues with the second, but he’s done an effective job overall.

    Some of you can whinge all you like about Deans etc and can’t see beyond your nose, but this guy was a positive for our code. Michael Hawker listed the achievements and they’re no mean feat. Compare it to the previous administration?

    Good on you JO’N. I think you’re going at the right time because we do need new blood. Well done to the Board as well. When the history of the ARU is written, this guy deserves major kudos.

    • Who Needs Melon

      Interesting juxtaposition between this and the view of “WA” below.

      My opinion: I reckon JON is one seriously hard-arsed negotiatior and administrator. But I remember being impressed many, many times during his first tenure – wrangling deals around the world cup, oz expansion, various sanzar things. I feel this time around he has been much quieter.

    • Queenslander

      Here are some more achievements
      Dismantled 3rd tier comp = error
      Hired Deans = error
      Extended Deans = double error
      4th Bledisloe for several years thus ensuring we would ever win = error
      ignoring Brisbane for AB v Wallabies games to give them to Melbourne = error
      Giving sweeet f$&@ all to community rugby = error
      In saying that he is a very talented admin man just too superior for my liking

  • WA

    So long and good riddance you money hungry plonker

  • Guy

    David Gallop anyone? experience, profile, and contacts. I would hire him in a heart beat

    • Brumby Jack

      David Gallop is now at the FFA.

    • Dally M

      The should go after the guy that snubbed the NRL, Gill McLachlan the COO of the AFL.

      He could certainly help out with ideas to get into the schools and develop the code at grass roots level.

      And the fact he snubbed league would be a nice coup as well.

  • sarco

    Time to go JON, and the next CEO will want to make the call on his coach, cant see that happening before the year end tour simply given the time constraints.

  • Stomper

    JON has done a great job – sad to see him go but every organisation needs change.
    Deans will go too – probably before or after the Lions tour. Personally I think he’s done a reasonable job under testing conditions.

    The under performance of our S15 teams and injuries during the season have hindered his ability to take us above the ABs.

    BUT we do retain #2, which for Australia is no mean feat – after all in times gone by (pre 1984 Smith era etc) we would have been lucky to be ranked in the top 4.

    I am of the belief that the 5 S15 teams will pay dividends in the next 5-10 years as a bigger talent pool develops and the Tahs get their act together.

    In any event I’m off to Paris and Florence in November to see the boys play – will try and catch up with a few to see how they are faring without QC!

  • Patrick

    I kinda agree with Roscoe, Australian rugby would on balance be much worse off without having had Big JON but it is certainly time, and indeed it was time six months ago.

    For my money I don’t want any global search crap, I want:
    Chairman: John Howard
    CEO: Anyone from the AFL
    Coach: McKenzie

    • Fletch

      Did you say JOHN HOWARD ??

      I nearly fell of my seat then !

      Yeah I can really see him respecting the communities questions on issue like grassroots development.

      He really likes being hands on and finding out whats going on at street level.

      Yeah, I can really seeing him bending when important issue comes up that everyone is adamant about except him.

      I cant see him going,

      Now looook herrreeee .ahem …noo..now….what..ahem…ok..but nooo..what r u talking about ..oh yes that..that..yes..well be doing that on my watch..touch , pause, yes …whats a ruck again.

      Pull another one mate

      • Jimmy

        Howard would actually be a reat choice. Despite the left wing propeganda from the media he was actually quite a humble guy who was extremely intelligent.

        If you want to know what he was like, not how he was portayed go and ask any of the men and women who were assigned as his security or who worked around his residence. Apparently was a great boss and far far better than the two since.

        • Fletch

          @Jimmy – can I just throw something out there for the fun of it.

          How bout having a true rugby guy running rugby. When did the idea become accepted that great administrators or bosses supersede great rugby ppl .How bout Rod Macqueen. He played and coached.

          Thats the problem with this country – humble, authentic participants are always getting quietly shoved to the backround by the corporate and political showponys who want the free pass and the keys to the castle without ever considering doing a days volunteer work in the tuck shop.

  • pants

    I didn’t mind JON up until the Robbie Deans fiasco. He’d actually put the ARU into a strong financial position but then completely failed to translate that into on field success. At the time he appointed Deans it was the right move but he failed massively by offering Deans a contract renewal before the world cup. He also failed to read the general feeling in the fans towards having Deans as a coach. Deans has failed. Not only has he failed but he has been given far greater latitude to fail than any previous Australian coach of the Wallabies. That for me is the single biggest issue with Deans as our coach. We all know the stats. Deans has not achieved any more success than any previous Australian coach, and has managed to destroy our previously world best backline play.

    Some people on this site want to start looking at positives from the Argentina win. I watched that game and was disgusted. We scored only 1 try. Apart from that try, we never looked like scoring. We can’t string multiple phases together. We don’t compete at lineouts. Our backline doesn’t know anything else apart from Mccabe running straight, or anyone else running across field. I don’t share the optimism or positive outlook people are having from that win.

    The only reason we won is because Argentina are more shit than us. They punched well above their weight for alot of games, but they didn’t win any. That was expected, but to be honest, they actually almost beat us. That was the closest they came.

    The springboks absolutely smashed us. The ABs absolutely smashed us. Now everyone is saying we can’t match it with the ABs, that we are just too far behind. Well whose fault is that? Its Robbies fault. If we had a backline like we used to, that could create things out of nothing, we would have a chance.

  • galumay

    Will be interesting to see who the replacement is, JON has been a great servant of rugby in this country, they are big shoes to fill.

    As many of us know the real problems with rugby in this country are structural, small population, 4 codes of football and therefore no serious 3rd tier comp. Certainly wont be fixed by a new CEO.

    Those calling for JON & Dingoes heads will no doubt be pleased, their delusional belief that Link would make a better coach may have to wait a while to be tested tho’!

    for mine,

    Chairman – Anyone but that creep Howard
    CEO – NO ONE from Aerial pingpong
    Coach – Dingo

  • doug

    Deans is doing the best with what he has got. I doubt that any new incoming coach would achieve more than No. 2, quite possibly less. The problem lies with junior development and Club rugby. It is poorly run, standards are falling, Many juniors are turning to league or other sports out of frustration. There needs to be a complete shake up of Rugby from the bottom up if Australia wants to remain competetive at the top levels of the sport.

    • ‘Boutbloodytime

      ‘Deans is doing the best with what he has got’ between his ears is more apt in my opinion…McCaw and to a lesser extent QC have given some rational explanation & clarity to Deans’ shortcomings…and his ability to talk people around after the fact.

      In some ways, it is a similar personality trait to JON being able to negotiate/demand some of the (often positive) changes on behalf of Australian rugby…which may be why JON has had Deans’ back for 5 years…but it also has its downside in that sometimes more intelligent/forward thinking input is disregarded due to the narrowmindedness/single minded focus of those with the stronger personalities (not so much a criticism than an observation).

      JON has offered far more positives than negatives to Australian rugby, and in the beginning, Deans was probably the right option (Link et al not ready/available to coach the Wallabies at the time)…but possibly the single greatest oversight from a Wallabies point of view was renewing Deans contract before the RWC2011.

      Both have offered a lot of potential (if not the desired results) for Australian rugby, but the seasons are changing & to his credit, JON has recognised that his ability to offer more has become limited…
      I hope Robbie can realise the same.

      2 changes that could be of great benefit in the short term would be to offer Jake White a caretaker head coaching role with Larkham as backs coach until after the Lions tour to get the backs firing, build a strong forward style of play & have 2 world champions in the coaching mix.

      Then bring Link in as the longer term option with a focus on the next Rugby World Cup, allowing him to deal with some of his state level goals for QLD before stepping into the national role.

      Link appears to have an adaptable style of play that is effective & attractive which will expand the fanbase (and consequently the player base), he has an ability to communicate clearly & effectively with players & administrators alike, he’s Australian & has a larger vision for rugby in Australia, more in the mould of Rod Macqueen, which will hopefully align the 5 Super XV sides with a common focus.

      Before anyone pulls out the ‘he played Genia at 10 twice when he had Harris on the bench’ argument, it will be a nice transition back to normality for the Wallabies after having at least 3 players playing out of position for the past 4+ years ;-)

      • johnny-boy

        And the Reds were really under the pump to perform and Harris had shown previously he did not have the ability at the time to direct or spark the team. It was a long shot to use Genia at 10 and it didn’t work but at least McKenzie why trying something instead of just plodding along

  • Paul

    O’Neill did very well first time. Second time round, he did ok. I did agree with his appointment of Deans at the time …. I believe that it was a mistake to have a foreigner coaching our national side. A world-wide search for a new coach is ok, so long as that coach is a fair-dinkum aussie!

  • baldwid

    does anyone think that maybe Quade new that this was coming and said what he did because of it. He may have known that he was leaving and thought what the hell i will say what i think.

  • johnny-boy

    Well if he didn’t it makes you wonder if Khoder Nasser did. I wouldn’t be surprised if Nasser also had a heads up on McCaws book. If not he has Rolex timing.

  • Skippy

    The ‘toxic’ environment has claimed it’s first victim!

  • bill

    They’ve hung onto Robbie for way too long going by the play he’s delivered, but overall I thought O’Neill helped the code here, but it seems like there needs to be a bit of an overhaul of things.

    QRU and NSW ru with financial issues at times, no bridging tier between club and super rugby. Continued Ghettoisation into pay tv.

  • Garry

    Farewell Big Jon.

    You may well be remembered for your significant part in winning us a RWC, and in your second tenure for your part in losing us one.

    Time will tell.

  • jezacbhs

    If Ewen comes in and attempts to directly implement Queensland’s plan, I think the Wallabies will do no better.
    It’s not suited to test rugby, and it’s definitely not suited to winning a RWC in this day and age

  • Skinner

    Chairman : John Howard
    CEO: Clive Palmer
    Coach: Alan Jones

    Life would never be boring again!!

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