Cosgrove and McCall to bring peace to the ARU
Reports from Rugby House in North Sydney confirm that former defence chief Peter Cosgrove has been commissioned to bring peace to the Australian Rugby Union, with this move anticipated to herald the return of John O’Neill as CEO.
The ARU yesterday revealed General Cosgrove, the 2001 Australian of the Year, and former Wallabies lock Rod McCall as Queensland’s two new representatives for the nine-man ARU board, with their appointments described as to clean up the troubled code and appearing to have averted a civil war.
New ARU Director and former NSWRU chairman Arvid Petersen has thrown his support behind Cosgrove and McCall and as reported last week in TravelMole, Petersen has reaffirmed his strong desire to get former ARU CEO O’Neill back in his old job.
With the AGM adjourned last week before the voting on a new Chairman, it apperas that Petersen has the support to follow outgoing director Ron Graham as ARU Chairman in the AGM this week.
Although Petersen had previously refused to comment publicly on O’Neill’s return, he has now said, “I think John O’Neill is the best sports administrator in Australia and if we could persuade him to come back I think it would be a coup for the game,” adding, “I realise that’s not a view shared by everybody but I think if we look at his track record in rugby and soccer it’s undeniable and I think the game needs a very strong leader and a strong executive leadership and I think he can do that.”
O’Neill, told media that he was flattered by Petersen’s comments and prepared to discuss the request, saying, Arvid has shown himself to be a very intelligent, balanced and successful businessman who has the ability to rise above politics and I’d be happy to have a discussion with him”. He also said, “Despite where I might end up it’s clear and unambiguous in imperative that Australian rugby gets its house in order.” “It must draw a line in the sand now and I think Peter Cosgrove will be extremely helpful in doing that.”
“Anyone who has a passion for the game would be genuinely concerned and rugby deserves a bright future and the sooner these ructions are behind them and the healing process is undertaken the better.”
Report by The Mole from a range of media
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