10
Thanks to Sheek from The Roar for the heads up.
From Topo’s LinkedIN page
Was unable to copy the heading.
So Ms Robinson, according to you 'clarifying' enlightening article of 06/11/2018...
Of course Australian Rugby has no-bullying and no-cheating gentlemen or gentle-women; nor even thugs or thuggettes of dubious thuggish behaviours! - And of course RA needs you to remain positive and upbeat about present and future.
Yet, for 'the mother' organisation (ARU) 'fratricide or euthanasia' are quite acceptable (particularly to relieve its own financial pains?) So this is a good practice to 'protect the brood'? - Perhaps I should call it 'roos cullying practice'... Frankly, it is the same 'bloody' thing!
So, that our super-smart-administrators and Directors of the Board decide to 'hide' the evidences of malpractice over the many years is perfectly ok? Oh yes, I do understand now, the ARU burying specialists of back in 2015 are playing 'good' Samaritans that were and are just protecting the arses of those loyal administrators and Directors(?)
The 'continuity' (much needed in rugby, on the field today!) of our administration is "the great Legacy" instilled and left by our Old Boys Clubs...(St Josephians, Shoreshians, Knoxians, Scotsians, Newingtonians, Barkerians, Nadgeenians (No Argentinians though!) etc. etc. etc.
The malaise and poisoning of Australian Rugby started in 1995 just before the RWC in South Africa when the International Rugby Board valiantly announced...
"RUGBY IS NO LONGER AMATEUR"
Please, allow me to elaborate this 'crazy notion' of mine. This completely unwittingly and unwilling statement decision made in haste by the authorities of the Four Home Unions + South Africa + New Zealand + Australia (and may be other countries also); because World Rugby Corporation (WRC), seriously threatened to take over 90% of elite international rugby (off its own traditional and conservative canvas/map and comfort zone?). WRC was almost (by a whisker) off the Global Corporations Circus by beaming out 'the rugby images' to the whole world, whether rugby playing, darts throwing or 'curling' brushing...countries!
By the way, this is what Twiggy Forrest and World Rugby are fighting for and working ON, yet Agustin Pichot (Vice-Chair World Rugby) has quite conveniently a shoe in each camp! - (LOL), So much for high values and principled individuals? I wonder what the president of the Australian Republican movement would think, feel or say?
WRC was the brain-child of David Lord (ABC's well know cricketer, tennis layer and sports journalist) dating back in 1982/83. Then the idea was 'borrowed' by Ross Turnbull (RIP) former ARU Vice-President and Australian IRB Delegate for a number of years. The WRC project/plan was backed by an Australian consortium led by Mr Kerry Packer, Mr Geoff Levy and other backers.
YET, the IRB Board together with renown South African businessman and powerbroker Mr Louis Luyt (RIP), Chair of the South African Rugby Board and organiser amongst many other rugby ventures, of the 1995 RWC (bid and also the event itself) with the support of Rupert Murdoch's FOX Sports, re-gained control of RUGBY by (first buying back some players and coaches contracted by WRC and adding a little inducement for the rugby fraternity officialdom (in selling the TV rights for 10 years, in exchange for the CONTENT generated by the Tri-Nations Tournament and the 1996 Super 12, all for an estimated US$850M (or similar amount).
Louis Luyt 'the man of many parts' (https://www.iol.co.za/pretoria-news/luyt-was-man-of-many-parts-1463036).
From that moment, when Australian Directors were throwing out the whole cheque book in order to retain the Wallaby starts (substantial contracts were signed to retain those senior stars, no questions asked!!! - Mr John O'Neill was the illustrious leader of those 'wonderful times of Australian rugby affluence and prosperous future, leading onto the (snuffed out of NZ's wishes) 2003 RWC.
And here comes the real punch line and 'raison d'etre' of
WHAT WENT WRONG!
The ARU Board of Directors and of course its CEO, (completely lost the plot that by the way, never had). The ARU became a "Millionaires Factory"...instead of just generously compensating players and coaches for the time dedicated to training, playing, travelling, etc. Therefore, the mullah 'can of worms' opened up and... didn't it ever?
Australian Rugby had such a 'momentum' carried from its Golden era of 1984-1991, with the 1984 Grand Slam; 1986 Bledisloe Cup; and the 1991 RWC) that it was not too difficult to remain positive and productive for a second RWC in 1991. An by then, it already happened the nasty 'coup de grace' that kneeled Wallaby Rugby as we knew it.
Mr John O'Neill taking over from Bruce Hayman (CEO), started his 'iron fist regime' by straight away sacking: Mark Ella, Dick Marks, National Director of Coaching Development 1976-1996 (https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/opinion/wayne-smith/its...) and many others. Mr Warren Robilliard was made (Yes Boss, in charge of this crucial National Coaching Development area, who in fact went-on to survive O'Neill (twice), Gary Flowers, and Michael Hawker/Bill Pulver from 1996 till 2011 (15 years in charge). (https://www.linkedin.com/in/warren-robilliard-38379344/?originalSubdomain=au)
Not only O'Neill strategically 'displaced' key people in the ARU but of course he made sure to 'place' KYP's (key yes people) to supervise his dictatorial regime. Well known SMH journalist Mr Greg Growden coined a brilliant metaphoric expression to reflect on the JON led ARU: "Fort Fumble", to me it was and still is... 'the nickname of the century'.
In closing, it is my not-so-modest-opinion, that the QE II (or any other Ocean liner) left South Africa in 1995, slightly one or two degrees off course! ~ The Rest is History ~
One of my poignant questions and recommendations to the rugby public and to Rugby Australia today in November 2018, are:
If you are in doubt, please don't
The use of Euthanasia or Fratricide on the Western Force to alleviate your own sufferings, was the worst cowardly act executed by amateurs. Simply put, RA killed one of our 5 siblings. WHY?
The Board of Rugby Australia did not have the necessary internal fortitude to STAND UP to SANZAAR and just say NO! It will not work! and it didn't. The tail was wagging the dog...
And, Ms Robinson,
YES, WE NEED TO UN-BURY THOSE PAPERS... "The ARBIB Report" and all the recommendations made afterwards by hundreds of rugby people of 'good heart and nature' at the time. See, the Australian Sports Commission has already once tried to help Australian Rugby by setting the guidelines on How To Run a National Sporting Body. Yet our Old Boys prefer to 'bully and cheat' behind closed doors...
Sincerely yours,
Enrique TOPO Rodriguez [Triple Rugby Union International] ~ 1971-1992 ~ Sydney 12th November 2018.