Aussie Pro Rugby
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Who is the key ally?
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After a report from CODE Sports’ Jamie Pandaram, it appears as though Jones may need to take the back-up plan as the Wallabies exodus continues.
Highly respected general manager Chris Webb, who the report says is “one of his most trusted colleagues”, has reportedly resigned in the latest big name exit.
Pandaram added that Webb did have other projects lined up before the World Cup, but the move has left Jones “disappointed”.
Although most of the staff were only contracted until the end of the World Cup, the list of exits has still included assistant coaches Jason Ryles, Brett Hodgson, Dan Palmer, Neil Hatley, Pierre-Henry Broncan and Berrick Barnes, while Brad Davis quit on the eve of the tournament.
The report calls the move not to re-sign staff brought in by Jones, including team psychologists, “shows a line in the sand is being drawn”.
It also says that Jones has clauses in his contract which would allow him to exit if Rugby Australia fails to secure private investment funding and a centralised model, but that there are also clauses in the governing body’s favour that would avoid the game needing to pay out the full term.
Currently the RA centralisation model is being fought by several states, while the game’s chairman Hamish McLennan applied for a loan of up to $90m after private investment offers were less than was expected.
Pandaram reported in September that Rugby Australia had been seeking between $150-200 million in exchange for 20 per cent of the ownership in the game.
Investors were reportedly not convinced of a significant increase in the next broadcast deal. Currently, the rights to rugby union in Australia is held by Nine and Stan Sport at around $33m per year until the end of 2025.
Jones is currently in Wales to coach the Barbarians against Wales on November 4.
But with the clean-out currently in full swing, Jones’ future will likely be decided by Rugby Australia’s independent review into Australia’s performance in France.
Speaking less than a fortnight ago, Jones said: “I’ve always been committed to Australian rugby and I want to leave it in a better place, and that’s still the job.
“(Staying in the Wallabies job) is not absolutely my decision, is it? We’ve got a review going forward and we’ll see what happens at the end of the review.”
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As the Wallabies General Manager, Chris leads and manages the Wallabies off the field in the international test match rugby arena.
Chris returned to Rugby Australia and the Wallabies in 2020, after more than a decade, having led operations with the Waratahs, the Western Force and Equestrian Australia, as well as advising the Japan Rugby Football Union.
Developing and fostering a new generation of Wallabies through to a successful Rugby World Cup in 2023 is a priority for Rugby Australia.
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@NTA it says a lot to me, if the reporting is accurate, that he doesn't have the integrity to simply fuck off after such a terrible campaign.
And those who brought him on board aren't joining him.
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@antipodean or that they're putting some kind of official face on it so both parties can attempt to save face... And in doing so, collectively look like the most useless shower of bastards to tread the halls of power (which, it must be said, takes some doing)
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but if rumours are true, and he's off ... who is next in line?
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@nostrildamus said in Aussie Rugby:
but if rumours are true, and he's off ... who is next in line?
Bernie
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@MiketheSnow said in Aussie Rugby:
@nostrildamus said in Aussie Rugby:
but if rumours are true, and he's off ... who is next in line?
Bernie
Foodiefozzie -
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@NTA said in Aussie Rugby:
Michael Hooper is off to play in the baabaa squad against Wales next weekend. They asked him about Eddie's comments in the paper this week. Class response that I just had to tweet.
Classy guy, good commentator too I thought.
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@NTA said in Aussie Rugby:
Michael Hooper is off to play in the baabaa squad against Wales next weekend. They asked him about Eddie's comments in the paper this week. Class response that I just had to tweet.
He is, he learnt it after not backing Link, when I really disliked him for in my opinion helping shaft him
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