O'Neill Quits

[Rustay]

AUSTRALIAN RUGBY UNION chief executive John O'Neill, pleased with the success of the Rugby World Cup, has decided to step down ten months early from his post.

O'Neill announced today he would be leaving his role, which he had filled for the past eight years, on February 27 next year, rather than December 31 as originally planned.

In a joint statement with the ARU, O'Neill said he was ready to move on.

"I said during the tournament that I would take a family holiday and think about my future over the Christmas, New Year period," he said.

"Since then, I have had the chance to reflect on the tournament and its acclaimed success and my eight fruitful years at the helm and have decided that now is the best time for Australian rugby and me to move on with rugby at such a high point.

"The Board and I have accordingly agreed to bring forward my departure. The ARU and rugby are in great shape with excellent people and a very bright future."

ARU Chairman Bob Tuckey said O'Neill will leave with the sport in excellent shape.

The RWC tournament yielded a $45 million profit for the ARU.

"On behalf of the board I would like to thank John for the outstanding contribution he has made to rugby," Tuckey said.

"We have just staged the best ever Rugby World Cup and John will leave the game with a much enhanced profile and a significant supporter base."

Tuckey said the search for a successor would begin immediately with an executive recruitment firm to undertake a worldwide process.

Well there ya go then.

 

[DIEHARD]

ding dong the witch is dead

 

[Marcus]

As typical with most successes, people always want to cut you down.

I say Oneil should go and run the IRB and kickout all those old farts that run it.

Is the NRL post vacant?

 

[ibeme]

Is the NRL post vacant?

I can't stand the guy nor his methods. He has a tendency to hit below the belt, and uses false propaganda to promote the game. Unfortunately, it seems that a lot of people have fallen for it.

Would offering him the NRL job be selling our soul? Would it be trading integrity for cheap successes?

 

[Marcus]

Are the NRL people smart?

O'Neil is a great administrator no question. Look how far rugby has come from when he entered (1996?) till now when he departs - the game has gone leaps and bounds.

Even some sections of the AFL said that they should have Oneil for the top job.

He was good for rugby in Australia. He was an outspoken guy (some people don't like that) that talked the talk and he did walk the walk. He delievered what he set out to do, and made changes that worked.

People didn't like him much because of his outspoken nature, but evaluate him on his performance on the job and he comes out with full marks.

I hope he finds his way to the IRB (won't those guys get worried) and sort those old farts out who have done little for the game.

 

[Mystery Man]

O'Neill will never be in charge of the NRL because of his past remarks about rugby league. However, rugby league could sure do with someone like him. For all his arrogance, he gets things done, and doesn't care who he might upset in the process.

For years rugby league has been talking things like having one unified governing body, implementing some sort of draft, yet nothing's changed. I doubt O'Neill would stand for such sluggishness.

 

[Matt M]

I'm glad he's gone, never liked him.

I hope he NEVER has anything to do with rugby league, he is too arrogant and makes too many cheap shots.

 

[ripper]

Mmmm, lets see a League World Cup roll in those numbers...

In the 2000 world cup only 26,000 people turned up to the semi final invovling the home team.

 

[DIEHARD]

I'd rather have Gallop than Satan himself running RL. He wouldnt go anywhere near RL anyway.

 

[iggy plop]

O'Neil is turkey.


neck.

 

[eastsrule]

Leaguies just don't like him because he was so effective in bringing the awareness of Rugby Union in Australia up.

You may not like him. But if you look at the amount of money he had in the beginning, compared with teh money they make now. The Wallabies at one stage had every single trophy possible.

He pulled off a successful World Cup (No matter what you say, the crowds came and it was a highly watched event.)

He is a fantastic businessman and administrator, without him, Union in Australia would be like Lawn Bowls.

 

[zulu]

Leaguies aren't the only ones who hate him chappy boy. :badgrin:

A typical rugby union forward.