The Australian Rugby Union has denied there is discontent in the ranks after a second high-profile resignation in 10 weeks, with high performance manager David Nucifora departing his role on Thursday.

Nucifora was a close ally of John O'Neill, who stood down as the managing director and chief executive of the organisation in October.

ARU acting chief executive Matt Carroll said change was a natural part of any organisation.

"I don't think people are unhappy, change occurs all the time in business and sport," Carroll said.

"David has put in place a lot of programs that have taken us forward in 15s and Sevens rugby. The initiatives he has put in place are going to take us a long way into the future.

"He felt it was time to move on, he had done a lot since 2008."

Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar.

End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar.

Nevertheless, his departure represents a fresh change and under new ARU chairman Michael Hawker, many see positive improvements being made to the running of the game.

When O'Neill returned to the chief role in 2007 he appointed Nucifora to the high performance job, to oversee plans for the improvement of skills and quality at the top level, alignment between national and state programs and the development of young talent.

Super Rugby franchises had privately expressed frustration with Nucifora's youth academy system, who trained separately and could rarely be used amid injury crises.

Nucifora also caused a stir by campaigning for the ARU to select the head coaches of the franchises like the NZRU does, after frustrations from national and state organisations over the amount of injuries to top players last season.

Nucifora did not return calls.

Carroll said the high performance manager role would remain the same and a new appointee would be made by the end of January.

Meanwhile, the ARU's search for a new chief executive will carry into the new year. Hawker had planned to make an announcement before Christmas but it's understood the board wants more time to consider the candidates.

Carroll is understood to be in the running alongside local figures Jim Carmichael of Queensland and Andrew Fagan of ACT, as well as international names.

Read more: http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/hi...#ixzz2FeFpaKlN