Hamish McLennan loses chairman vote to Daniel Herbert, quits Rugby Australia board after opposition from six member unions. Herbert faces challenge of uniting a fractured code.
Hamish McLennan Ousted as Chairman
Hamish McLennan, the chairman of Rugby Australia, has been removed from his position following a surprising late-night board meeting. He lost the vote for chairman to Daniel Herbert and subsequently chose to resign from the board.
Controversy and Resignation
McLennan faced opposition from six member unions, including Queensland, the ACT, and RugbyWA, who demanded his resignation. Despite vowing to fight for his position, he ultimately lost the battle after an emergency board meeting. World Cup-winning Wallaby, Daniel Herbert, was announced as his replacement.
Reasons for Opposition
The decision to oust McLennan was prompted by severe backlash from the unions following the Wallabies’ World Cup failure. The rebel union members expressed their loss of faith in McLennan’s leadership, citing the team’s poor performance and the coach’s untimely departure.
A Divided Code
The controversial situation has revealed a divided code in Australian rugby. McLennan’s resistance to change was met with opposition from various state unions, highlighting the existing discord within the sport’s leadership.
Challenges for Daniel Herbert
Daniel Herbert, who has an impressive background in rugby, faces the daunting task of unifying the fractured code. He emphasized the importance of enacting the necessary reforms for the sport, especially with major events like the British and Irish Lions Tour and upcoming World Cups on the horizon.