Looks like O'neill may return

[frontrow]

http://www.rugbyheaven.smh.com.au/ne...mh=dm16.263332

Pulled this from Rugby Heaven today...
What are your thoughts...
I think it will be a positive step forward for a bumbling ARU...

[hopep]

I can't really see the benefit.
There are still people not looking forward to his return. Dick Marks was qouted in the Australian as being against it as a backward step.

A reasonable analogy would be of QR taking on Eddie as coach, it was a backward step for the coach and smacked of desperation from the union. I can't see what O'Neil has to offer thats new. ARU would be better with a new face, thats neutral, like O'Meara.

I also have grave doubts about anything reported in the SMH ! If their source is geniune it must be someone inside the ARU who is stealing confidential documents and handing to the press. That shows what an insidious division is at the heart of the ARU

[Thequeerone]

Also said this on Fox Sports News this morning - he's coming back today for a contract of 5 years - offical announcement later today - guess they are waiting for the camera men to appear

Just I finished typing this - showed O'Neil shaking hands with the players including Gregan !

[hopep]

They must have offered something like Lote's fees!

Lets hope he can sort out the committee and get some positive direction happening again.

[fulvio sammut]

What's wrong with a man who took the ARU kicking and screaming to the top from a low base, negotiated their most successful media and player contracts and kept them at the top during his stewardship?

What's wrong with a man who was whiteanted out of his job, left with dignity at the top of his game and went on to turn a basket case soccer administration into a serious world cup contender?

What's wrong with rugby admitting it made a disasterous decision for very wrong reasons which has again reduced it to mediocracy?

What's wrong with swallowing it's pride and hiring the best man,with a proven track record, for the job?

[hopep]

Well Fulvio - hes consistently said for over a month or more that he has nothing new to bring to the ARU, doesn't want the job and had no intention of applying for it.

OK - he has a track record but does he have new ideas? is all I'm asking.
I hope he does, Rugby in Australia is in a damn good place all up - its just choking itself at the top end of town (IMHO).
We need to avoid the issues of club affiliation that has lead to disasterous conflict of interests in NH countires resulting in understrength test teams.

[chook]

I hope he won't be forced to take the job, that would be terrible, the poor little poppet.

[Darren]

He's done it. At least he knows what he is walking into!

[prop53]

its done Oneil as signed back on board

[WF2404]

Well about time - how much politics does it take to ruin a game??? Or maybe it was because O'Meara was getting too close for comfort for the eastern states boys and O'Neil suddenly became the better option.

My bro worked with O'Neil at Football Federation and said he was fantastic to work with and really was responsible for pulling soccer out of the mire! I say we're lucky to have him back!

Now lets get on with watching the rugby for pete's sake!!

[The Lone Hydrangea]

We need some direction and discipline from the top. I really dont care but it must happen now. Im also bewildered with the mud throwing at OMeara. He would of been a breath of fresh air. Politics of all discriptions suck.

[travelling_gerry]

OK...I'll put it on the record......O'Niell is not the answer.......just a flunky for the Sydney press...so that Growden doesnt have to call it Fort Fumble any more and he has his prize source....

[James]

As I recall, just before O'Neill 'left' he had a lot of pretty big ideas he wanted to put through to ensure a somewhat less bleak future as the one that has panned out. He said a week or two ago he'd only come back if it was on his terms and he was allowed more freedom. I think he probably still does have a lot to offer. I think of him a bit like Gregan- he might have run out of ideas and might do the same old stuff but the effect Gregs had coming on at half time turned that game around. I suppose it depends on what he wants to do and how much bitching the QRU and NSWRU do.

Look at Peter O'Meara though and the quality service he has done in getting the Force going. A good CEO makes an incredible difference in all of the small things. I think they'd both have been great for the job.

[hopep]

I think of him a bit like Gregan- .

What James - Like Gregan ? do you mean about 100 days from retirement?
Hope not

I'm with Travelling Gerry on this, I don't believe O'neil is the answer. Strong leader with ideas and direction - yes. The games changed since he left and so have the players (political).

We need new blood, not recycled stuff.

[shasta]

What's wrong with swallowing it's pride and hiring the best man,with a proven track record, for the job?

Spot on. I find it a bit hard to fathom why so many people say he's yesterday's man etc.

Based on what?

He's been hugely successful in both sporting businesses he's run and from all reports a successful investment banker before that.

Rugby is his true sporting passion and he's reportedly opted out of a much higher paid position to return to the ARU and finish what he started.

Any of the nay sayers got any concrete reasons why he shouldn't be CEO ?You can't just say he's not the man for the job without saying why he's not.

Even some of you say he's got a great record so I say why the hell not