World Cup-winning Wallaby Rod Kafer has called for a major overhaul of Rugby Australia management, following the organisation’s unprecedented revenue loss in 2019.
RA reported a provisional loss of $9.4 million for 2019 but were unable to present a full financial picture or an annual report, because of complications surrounding the Covid-19 crisis.
RA boss Raelene Castle said in a worst-case scenario the union could suffer a $120m loss if rugby is wiped out in 2020.
Kafer, now a commentator and analyst for Fox Sports, previously worked for RA in elite coaching development.
The former Test star on Wednesday blasted RA’s decision to stand down 75% of its staff for the next three months and bemoaned Castle’s predicted financial loss for 2020.
‘When the CEO comes out and says we’re looking down a $120m hole — how did we find ourselves in that position?’ Kafer asked. ‘How does a board allow the game to get into that position?’
‘We know rugby was sick a long time before the coronavirus came along. Rugby in Australia has been sick for years,’ Kafer said.
‘People have been calling for change and it hasn’t occurred. And yet, the same people who have taken it off the cliff are still there, still employed. There’s no knowledge about what actually is going on and everybody has been kept in the dark at the moment.’
Photo: Rugby Australia
